RE: Most people are sheep . . . great experiment!
September 3, 2016 at 5:06 am
(This post was last modified: September 3, 2016 at 5:25 am by Thumpalumpacus.)
I think benefit comes from both the conformity you're lauding, and also from nonconformity. If you look at, say, how new hypotheses/theories gain acceptance in science, to use an obvious example, you'll see a situation where updates are often eschewed in favor of the theory in place, even though the theory in place is not as powerful in explanation. But the old scientists fight a rearguard action preserving what they've learned rather than accepting a new and more powerful model. And it's not until the die off that the new theory gains ascendance. Wegener's plate-tectonics theory is a prime example.
I think the tension between conformity and nonconformity in larger society works in much the same way -- indeed, I feel that tug-of-war inside myself; I cling to what I learnt as a lad, and must exert effort to expand my knowledge base.
It's good to know things. But it's not so good that one should favor given knowledge a priori. Openness to new information is required.
I think the tension between conformity and nonconformity in larger society works in much the same way -- indeed, I feel that tug-of-war inside myself; I cling to what I learnt as a lad, and must exert effort to expand my knowledge base.
It's good to know things. But it's not so good that one should favor given knowledge a priori. Openness to new information is required.
