Saying 'I Don't Know' Requires Magnanimity Of Character And Spirit

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 14 January 2025 'Man may be defined as the animal who can say, 'I do not know.' -Upton Sinclair Upton Sinclair's quote, "Man may be defined as the animal who can say, 'I do not know," captures the essence of human intelligence and humility. Unlike other creatures, human beings possess the unique ability to acknowledge their limitations and embrace their own ignorance. This recognition ignites the desire to explore, learn, and seek knowledge. It is through admitting our lack of understanding that we begin the journey of discovery and growth. This quote serves as a reminder of the boundless opportunities that open up when we are humble enough to admit our ignorance and brave enough to seek knowledge. Yet, having taught at world's premier universities and interacted with a spectrum of geniuses and luminaries, I've realized that while Sinclair is quite right, there are individuals who will never say that they don't know. Truly wise and sagacious people are always ready to learn and they learn even from their critics and detractors. While pursuing one of my Doctorates in Linguistic Philosophy at Sorbonne University, Paris, my world-renowned professor, philosopher, guide and the Father of Deconstruction, Jacques Derrida would always say, "What I don't know is much more than what I know." My distinguished Professors Edward W Said at Columbia University (New York) and Umberto Eco at Bologna University in Italy would also say with utmost modesty that they didn't know a lot of things. Only those who're either rank ignorant or just above-average, are impudently confident about their intelligence and not only that, they'll dare teach you, much to your reluctance. This is the difference between a sciolist and a truly intelligent person. While the former is a Mr know-it-all, the latter is forever humble. This is not an allusion to anyone in particular. Nor is it a specific analogy. Professor Eco would always tell his students not to hurry in giving the answers. "A quick reply is always half-baked," he'd quote an Italian adage. Giving no answers is at times better than giving a rushed, rickety and ramshackle answer. Humans are attention-seekers. Often in life, we respond and reply with a view to grabbing attention. This happens because many people are under the impression that they've answers to all things. Saying 'I don't know' is demeaning to them. They consider it to be infra-dig. Once you fully understand the spirit of 'I don't know' and assimilate it in your consciousness, you automatically become modest and magnanimous. You start acknowledging others and also become generous in complimenting others on their superior knowledge and wisdom. I'm a Persian-speaking person who started learning English rather late. Having assimilated the essence of 'I do not know,' I've been able to appreciate the superior knowledge and English of Messrs Rasheed, Naseer, Ghulam, among others in this forum. I've come across far better and more knowledgeable individuals in life and I've wholeheartedly acknowledged their superiority. Why should I feel embarrassed? Seeking knowledge is a lifelong process and one acquires it (knowledge) only when one has no reservations and can say sans a skerrick of discomfiture that 'I don't know.' It requires magnanimity of character and spirit. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/magnanimity-character-spirit/d/134323 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism