In this particular day I shall
interpret a verse from the Analects, namely 2:17. In A
Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:
“Confucius said, ‘Yu, shall I
teach you [the way to acquire] knowledge?
To say that you know when you do know and say that you do not know when
you do not know – that is [the way to acquire] knowledge’” 1
Firstly, let us discuss the theme
of the verse. The theme revolves around
the concept of the “acquiring knowledge with sincerity.” This pertains to the evaluation of one’s
knowledge of anything through “investigation of things.” Knowing begins when one examines things or
asks questions about something. It can
even begin when something confuses one or when he doubts something. In confusion or doubt, one begins to ask
questions. Asking questions in order to
learn or understand something is the beginning of knowledge. It is where one becomes interested to unravel
the hidden meanings of so many realities he is dealing with. One would consider every object, person, experience,
challenge, pain, joy, trial, success as something not nothing. There
is always something in anything. And
that is where investigation or examination of something begins. That is where life becomes interesting, worth
knowing and worth living. There is a “why”
in all things. Thus, there is always something to discover and know.
Moreover, I would like to deepen
this by connecting this to the second phrase, which is “To say that you know
when you do know”. This phrase can be
understood in two points. The first
point connotes that one must not bluff or fake knowledge. Once a person knows,
he knows. And he can only share what he
knows. Once he does not know, he cannot
truly share on something he does not really know. This is the same as the saying, “One cannot
give what he does not have.” Knowledge
is something gained with so much effort.
It is not something given and received passively. It is like a reservoir where one keeps what
he treasures in life. So if one has not
kept something in that reservoir of knowledge, he is ignorant. Ignorance is not the absence of knowledge but
the lack of it. One knows something but
not fully.
Say, there is an individual who
is in need for help in fixing his car.
He asks his friend, who confidently bluffs that he can fix any car, even
though he barely touched a car hood. The very act of declaring that he knows even
if it is not true impedes the intellect of the individual. This is because it gives him the notion that
he has no need for further improvement due to his self-proclaimed
“intellect”. It is this cocky attitude
that ruins the sense of value in his mind; thus, he becomes dishonest and
conceited. Although the one who bluffed
has benevolent intentions on helping his friend, his real intention is negated
because of conceit and dishonesty. This
improper act is rooted in the fact he did not fully grasped the value of
“humility”. This can give bad
results. Going back to the example, his
very act of bluffing can cause destruction or even further harm to his friend
because of his incapacity to fix a car. He
can lead his friend to accident.
The second point in relation to
this phrase is in terms of being taught.
It says that one must say that they know when they have already
understood a certain topic or concept.
This is a common mentality of students.
They give a nod of affirmation when their professor asks if they
understood the lesson. This very act
prevents an individual to grow mentally.
This is because he is fooling himself into thinking that he really
understood a particular topic even if he has not. One cannot actually know anything when he
does not delve deeper into a particular subject or concept with sincere efforts
and intentions. Pretending to understand
destroys this opportunity, thus, making failing one to acquire
“knowledge”. One fails to know anything
when he assumes that effort is not needed anymore in understanding. Assuming on something is a fallacy. There is no truth in assumption. One has to exert efforts to find the truth. The aim or purpose of knowledge is to find
the truth. It is in the truth where one
can grow in wisdom. But the truth remains hidden when one does not investigate
or examine or discover it in the given situation or reality. Knowing entails an attitude of surrender.
This surrender means an acceptance that one does not know and that he needs to
know about things around him.
This then could help an
individual cultivate himself in the sense that he is open to any possibility of
learning more as he continues to practice his understanding or learning. It is through this way that one is able to
gain knowledge.
The second phrase, which is “say
that you do not know when you do not know”, can be treated as the corollary of
the examples and concepts given by the previous phrase. It gives the notion that when one admits the
limitation of his understanding and knowing, it gives him room for learning
more. An analogy of an “empty cup” and a
“full cup” can be used in here. A
person’s room for learning has an “empty cup” when he humbly accepts his
limitations. Since he has enough
“emptiness” or “spaces” in the corners of his being, he can still accommodate
innovations, leading him to improve his character. However, the one who has a “full cup” cannot
improve himself. This is because he has
already “filled up” the spaces that were intended for his growth. Because he did not have the humility in him
to admit his weaknesses, his “cup” overflows, making him lose every opportunity
that was supposed to help him grow.
Being able to see more, grow more, and experience more is what one can
gain not from bluffing, nor pretending to understand or grasp a subject or
concept. It is with this humility in
accepting limitations that one is able to understand.
Every person is born a "knower", but
he has to actualize this in his life time.
As long as one lives, he always has an opportunity to know. Knowing can come in variety of ways and
circumstances. Through investigation or
examination of things, confusions and doubts are resolved. One is led to certainty and truth. These are very important in becoming a noble
man.
The principle of “right knowing” is related to
this concept. When one fully understands
and knows a certain thing, he can contribute to the birth of many principles
worthy to become pillars of learning in sciences, in religions, in personal
relations, in moral standards, in societal functions and in daily experiences. He has all the advantages of a refined
intellect and a well-guided will. These
advantages are the treasures of a noble or wise man. One
needs to know in order to understand.
One understands in order to become wise or noble. A wise or noble person has much to give to others and a little he keeps for himself.
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