prioritizing study, of truth & error

Discussion Eleven: Theories of Truth
16 November 2013
"prioritizing study, of truth & error"

I learned with Descartes, maybe through Kant and Locke, that the study of error threatens our time be wasted, our distraction or confusion, and some possible entertainment, depending on tastes. It is not very useful. Error abounds in the world; it is the height of vanity to pretend we can exhaust in study the bloating abyss of it.

This, I know is true.

Now, where I have always loved and cherished wisdom even from such as children or fools, even if I hear some great man saying something foolish, or some reknown scholar or war-hero muttering some blithe insanity and being widely lauded for it, I may thankfully turn a deaf ear to them, and rather hear, participate, and learn from attending to the true-song of a morning-lark, or the constant murmur of evening traffic sounds, singing to me of the unity and perpetuity of creation.

Error -- from any source -- is error, and inferior to truth. We mustn't entertain it as much when recognized but with our spare resources, mindful of the real need to do so to be inclusive of all opinions but, even then, also of our limitations.

Have a good weekend and week ahead, everyone.
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