Ignorance is bliss. Knowledge is power. Is either one better than the other?
If you've ever seen the action film - The Matrix, the protaganist, known as Neo (Keanu Reeves), is prompted to choose between a mind simulation where his brain plugs into a virtual reality that tricks his senses into thinking he physically lives in a comfortable world or actual reality where the world is completely disheveled and everyone is struggling (i.e. red pill or blue pill?). For the former, you are shielded from the likes of misery but enslaved to a system. For the latter, you are liberated to see the true world, able to think how you like, but you deal with its suffering (no comfy bed, no juicy steaks, etc...)
Philsophically, I've heard it argued both ways. Either you enjoy the world as an innocent child or you rid the world of fabrications and false pretenses which is perhaps worse. In a pragmatic sense, I can't quite pin down why I would prefer one or the other. For instance, to know thyself. There's a sense of fulfillment when we explore ourselves, understand our own behaviors, and give ourselves the chance to change (or not change) the trajectory of our lives. It's very empowering to have that knowledge. I have seen myself change in wonderful ways and improve relationships with people by understanding their tendencies and how the world operates.
But sometimes, it's stressful for me. I become overly conscious of my behaviors and thoughts because they reveal uncomfortable truths about myself. I thought self-enlightenment could lead me to a better life, but instead, it unraveled a dark creature inhabiting my mind. For example, I saw an inevitable selfishness about me no matter how hard I try to be unselfish. These were not petty acts of selfishness. I'm talking about serious things like manipulating people for personal gain and relentlessly justifying these actions to myself. This discovery later developed into accepting that human nature in its essence was selfish. I want to explain why I came to that conclusion, but I will leave that discussion for later as it is a bit tangential. The point is that seeking enlightenment brought me to a dark and hopeless place. A place where I thought there were no good people in this world. It was unpleasant for me to tolerate myself and other people during this time. I came out of that spell rather quickly, but it still wears me down when I see evidence of it. It doesn't matter if my conjecture about human nature is right or wrong. What matters is my thinking process and the way it led me into this rabbit hole. I wonder...if I had never begun on this path of self/worldly understanding and this pursuance of knowledge, would I live with a happier mentality even if my perception of the world was fictitious? Is it better to have hope (even if it was false hope) rather than cynicism? What is the point of seeking all this truth anyways?
I can already hear some of my colleagues saying, "Of course, knowledge is power. Ignorance is the reason our society is a disaster and hate for each other is so prevalent..." These would be my most introspective friends and the most ambitious ones. They are admirable, because without their strength and determination, we couldn't abolish the injustice and suffering in this world. They are caught up in bringing out the truth, and yet, they so emotionally charged and distressed. You have to wonder how they withstand so much duress. And what about these people in Sahara Africa whose little concern over first-world social injustices allows them to shine with this pronounced joy. There's nothing fake or synthetic about it, either. It's simplicity, complacency, and satiation that allows them to enjoy what they already have, despite all that they do not know. Their suffering is seemingly more basic (maybe lack of food, shelter or water). But is suffering relative? Can suffering be measured or is it a universal feeling that has no thermostat?
I want to laugh and play like how children play, so free and careless. Yet, I want to know that what I am seeing and feeling is real. Perhaps, an awareness of simplicity can bring some peace of heart, and I create that same abstraction of happiness in my own complicated life.
