(One step above total ignorance?)
Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) recognized that every thought developes through levels and orders. It would benefit everyone to learn the ideas of those who have given measured consideration to a subject and are clear about the nature and organization of their thoughts.
In Spinoza's thinking, the
first, and lowest, order of thought is an opinion in which one
forms a thought based on what one hears, perceives, or imagines. In this
case, opinions have little relation to verified facts except by
coincidence. An opinion is very often a spurious assertion lacking a well
thought out basis. It is based on what we "feel", or have been
told about a subject. Once something is a verified fact, it is no longer
considered an opinion. We must get away from allowing opinions to rule
Opinion polls are big business and their results often influence important policy. There may be some degree of understanding which is measured in these polls, but this can be doubtful. Opinion poll results change quickly, and are unreliable. Even opinions of people of the highest caliber, who are not focused on a subject, are suspect. The idea that elected officials in government positions look to opinion polls to determine how they should behave to keep their job is the realization of Plato's condemnation of democracy as government diminished to leadership by the masses.
The second order of thought is speculation in which incomplete and inadequate information is available. Significant reaction, if possible, should remain on "hold". There are situations of exceptional emergency in which one must act before all the pertinent information can be ascertained. To save the life of a person trapped in a burning automobile one must rush to the car and haul out the victim before one knows how close the fire is to the fuel tank. Available time in an emergency may limit the order of thought on which we act. But, for the most part, we usually have time to reflect and promote a better understanding of a question.
The fourth order of thought is understanding in which one has learned how the facts are inter-related, especially in a constructive form. With understanding we may manipulate our knowledge with confidence, even though we may be dealing with dangerous material. Understanding is usually linked with experience. Experience entails the repeatability, reliability, and validity of any subject. The understanding of electricity is a case in point. One cannot watch men working with high-voltage live wires without appreciating the understanding they have for the subject. Experience has minimized their fear.
The fifth order of thought is idealistic creativity in which one may draw on one's knowledge and understanding to foresee the best consequences and make innovative construction effective. In every instance this is the result of hard work and some artistic qualities. If the result is reliable, used repeatedly, and is deemed to be valid, it becomes knowledge from which others can gain greater understanding.
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