PART II – DIMINISHING INTELLECT, DISTORTED KNOWLEDGE

PART II

Thus the arrow of  time (from past to future) affects knowledge. The preservation and transmission of Original and complete knowledge   will inversely depend on time. Further at a much later time,   a person initiated into learning and knowledge, may have access to only say two or three branches of knowledge, out of the six recorded ones. And based on these three branches of knowledge , if he attempts to generate new knowledge, it is bound to be incomplete and even may lead to wrong inferences or conclusions, which we may call as faulty knowledge.( Since he is unable to refer to the full body of knowledge.)

Thus  overall we have a  multiplier effect due to  ‘knowledge erosion’, in terms of (a)  loss of human intellectual capacity and (b) generation of  new and   faulty knowledge. This faulty knowledge will then become the foundation for successive knowledge generation. Thus at a later stage , for eg. in this modern age ,in geometric proportion, faulty knowledge is generated in society!!

A classic example of this effect of fragmentation &  compartmentalization  of knowledge, leading to erroneous conclusions  in modern times can be cited in the field of medicine. To diagnose , we prefer a generalist (MD) than a specialist. A diseased condition may be due to various causes, and the physician trained in and practicing  diagnosis , considers the whole human body, than considering a particular organ or limb. This fragmentation of medical knowledge, between generalist and specialist  has proved to be costly for the public, the medical student , and taxing on the govt.  to provide resources for each specialization, without any corresponding  effect in improving public health and creating a healthy society.  Simultaneously  social intelligence has reached such a nadir, that the public instead of resorting to self-regulation, indulge in all sorts of unhealthy practices with the implicit belief that  ‘new-knowledge’, doctors, hospitals and new technologies are  available  on tap to cure their diseases.  (eg. Liver malfunction treatment  for alcoholics)) Thus fragmentation of knowledge that became inert, ossified  due to storage  has proven to be costly for the individual and society. Neither the  general physician could assimilate the complete knowledge of all specialization branches  paving for deeper knowledge, nor  the specialist have knowledge of other areas, and in the later’s case his knowledge is compartmentalised. (Deep but not wide and all encompassing). While considering this example, let us not forget even for a moment that modern medicine is itself built-up on faulty foundations. The  healing powers of the mind and other factors are not considered in the practice of modern medicine. Profits only matter here (in modern times), and the recent case of heavy fine imposed on the pharmaceutical giant Glaxosmithline  serves as a grim reminder.

Moderns have tried to get over this problem, by collaborative efforts, ie by bringing together ‘experts’ in various fields, to solve a particular crisis or problem. But we have to understand that a priori, these  expert’s knowledge is based on  knowledge  subjected to ‘erosion’ and fragmentation.

Thus we have two cumulative outcomes– (1)  slow and steady deterioration and loss of intellectual faculties of human beings, prompted some men with vision to record knowledge  & (2) writing and recording of knowledge  has further diminished the intellectual faculties of humans. 

Thus at this juncture in time, in this post-modern era, incomplete and partial knowledge is the basis of our decisions (solutions)  and actions, which being imperfect ant not the right solution, is not going to solve any of our problems, but will compound it !!!!!

(Critical feed back of  part2, appreciated)

DIMINISHING INTELLECT, DISTORTED KNOWLEDGE – Part 1

It has been argued in ‘The Act of Writing' (Previous Post) that invention of writing with   alphabets ( denoting sound  syllables), marked a sharp decline in human intellectual capacity. Intellectual capacity is denoted by (a) storing vast amounts of data, facts and information, processing the same and recalling it when required,  (b)knowledge and wisdom  derived from such fast processing  (which in turn determines our actions), & (c) knowledge of arts, crafts, and the ability to appreciate and enjoy the same, etc

When knowledge is recorded it becomes ossified. The dynamism of knowledge is lost. The free flow of knowledge is impaired.

Let us now consider a hypothetical situation. Say at the time when humans fully matured physically and culturally (conforming to Darwin’s theory), humankind had a body of knowledge comprising of different  branches, say  U, V, W, X, Y, X , ie Total knowledge K=U+V+W+X+Y+Z. For a long time this knowledge was transmitted orally , through sounds. Anyone who is considered learned will have to learn all this (complete knowledge) orally and commit to memory, since  re-course to writing was not at hand. Thus the whole body of knowledge , without loss would have been transmitted from generation to generation , and across geographical locations without loss or minimal losses.  Any  further knowledge that is generated will be a derivative  of the above body of total knowledge. Now suppose that after a few thousand years,  writing system developed and the above  complete knowledge had been committed to writing. Now it is human tendency that something that is stored, will remain in disuse for a long time. The attitude is-‘ it is available  on tap, so we will retrieve it when necessary’. Such a scenario, ie absolute  necessity or requirement  of stored knowledge,(knowledge of a particular nature, but essentially a part of the total knowledge , integrating the same seamlessly, that had been tucked away in a medium) is not likely to arise for a long time into the future, and it is likely that what is stored will be eventually forgotten. Even when  a need arises, be it for the stored knowledge or some material, the effort will be to freshly generate the same,  overlooking what is stored years back. The people who had done the storage will not be immediately available, or  unable to recollect from  their individual memory(the physical storage location) due to aging .   If they had lived a generation before,  they may be dead. Thus there is a continuous chipping away from the collective body of useful and full (complete)  knowledge. When one is faced with incomplete knowledge of a situation or object, decisions regarding the same will have to be based on assumptions or guesswork. This leads to error in judgement and results. Ie New knowledge thus generated is faulty.

The  issues discussed in the above paragraph about  incomplete or partial knowledge  generating faulty knowledge , is further illustrated with another example.  Assuming  that the total body of knowledge K=U+V+W+X+Y+Z, and these knowledge branches are related (complementary).  Consider a  experiment involving  two identical individuals A and B. Consider further that on all parameters A and B are sharing equal values, except on the knowledge front.  Imagine that A’s knowledge is total  ie. Ak=K= U+V+W+X+Y+Z, and B’s knowledge Bk= W+X+Y+Z < K.  Individual B is not knowing about subjects U & V, but which has got some connection or other to subjects W, X, Y & Z. Now  A & B are confronted with a problem requiring solution based on their knowledge, and each has to give it independently.  Whose solution is likely to be better and totally reliable. ?? Without doubt we could say that we could depend on A fully.  And any further decisions  or knowledge based on A’s conclusion can also be depended  upon.

But if B’s solution is accepted, it may solve the problem temporarily, but not perfectly. Further any further development or knowledge based on B’s solution will contain error, and this error will multiply , if this solution is used as the input for further solutions.

(Critical feed-back appreciated)

Part 2 follows ....

The Act of Writing Denotes a Quantum DECREASE in Human Intellectual CAPABILITIES !!!????

It is  widely accepted  and without any challenge that writing ability of man denotes that phase of his intellectual ‘evolution’, enabling him to record, retrieve and further  spread/impart  his thoughts and ideas among members of his community, even without being physically present.  But the question is, does writing  serve as a marker of man’s intellectual growth  or does it provide evidence of  a quantum decrease in human intelligence ?

How many of us still remembers and uses the multiplication tables up-to the number 12.? Maybe up-to the number 10 we  may be sure of the outcomes. We will unconsciously say that 8x8=64, or 9 x 5 = 45, and consciously are certain of our numerical ability in this case. Beyond 10 we will be very confident of say 11x11= 121, or 12x12=144. In between we may not be exactly sure, and we will manually multiply  ie do arithmetic  in the margins or if a calculator is at hand, reduce our mental effort and strain by using the same.

Similarly how many of amongst us would have memorised a poem  or devotional hymn  during the last ten years ?  Or how many amongst us know the full lyrics of a favourite playback song ? 

Or how many amongst  us can remember   telephone numbers other than the ones that we frequently use? The ten digit mobile numbers has  complicated the issue  by making it unwieldy to commit to our memory. 

Well there are exceptions like the Indian calculating prodigy  Shakuntala Devi or the people we see in certain TV shows. But for the majority of the population, the skills in memorizing, processing and recalling when required  is continually diminishing. 

Since all information  can be stored and retrieved easily with the help of gadgets like cell phones and computers, and calculations could also be done through these machines, and since their usage is becoming common among the general population, it is inevitable that human intellect will wane, even if the size of the brain remains the same. If as per Drawins theory , human beings and animals evolve  to changes in their living conditions (envirionment), this need not  be, as is generally considered  uni-directional, ie from a lower to a  higher plane. It can also be the reverse.   IF  memorizing, processing data and information,   and retrieving useful knowledge  is  considered as a function of the brain, and when machines take over these functions, the brain capacity is bound to diminish due to non-usage.  There  is this famous quote from John Stuart Mill “Organs are strengthened by exercise and atrophied by disuse”.

The assumption underlying the above passages is that , non-use of mental or intellectual capacity because of overdependence on machines, will lead to the diminishing of our intellectual capabilities within and across  generations. Therefore  machines that are capable of enhanced  storage, faster processing and retrieval  are required and it (these machines)  will be taken (wrongly) as a mark of further human progress and technological development.

Thus we ‘claim’ that society is evolving towards higher goals and ideals, and individual members of society  are reaping the benefits with better living conditions with the help of science and newer technological innovations.  But there is nothing substantial to back this claim , since we see that intellectual capability is receding with more and more technology. And in opposition to our empirical observations, not in tandem with or in conflict with our experience, we are made to think that only a sophisticated and more intelligent society can only provide ‘cutting-edge’ science and technology and machines based on the same. In fact , technology (materialistic knowledge) and more technology and  even sophisticated, cutting-edge technology,  is the mark of a society, whose members are subjected to intellectual atrophy.(And this intellectual atrophy is accompanied by physical atrophy,resulting in more and more dependence on drugs)

Thus in the case of India, we  see out ‘bright’ young students going to foreign institutions of higher learning in  ‘sophisticated’ and technologically advanced countries. They, with their parent’s wholehearted assent  willingly submit themselves as slaves,- intellectually as well as culturally - to societies inferior in intellectual capacity , simultaneously squandering valuable foreign exchange. 

Now these bright young students and their parents had been sold that idea that human beings are constantly evolving towards a higher plane. First life started as a microbe. And life evolved over eons and we human beings are the final product of that evolutionary process. After evolutionary process reached the perfect culmination with human beings as end products, it took these beings many thousands of years to reach the present stage. We had been taught that after physical evolution, social evolution took many stages. through predictable and linear steps, with stages in-between. Ie hunters, cave-dwellers, hunter-gatherers, pastorialists, and agriculturalists and finally technologically and financially driven industrialists. All through these stages their intellect was developing and flourishing.  Science points out the evidences. First on the walls of the caves, they drew figurines, then pictorial alphabets, then graffiti and other writings on the cave walls, then writings on clay tablets, then use of stylus & papyrus, then paper and pen, printing technology and finally words and pictures in digital form. Now each of these stages of development of recordings of symbols and writing, from crude instruments to magnetic/transistor media,  means less and less dependence on human intellect per se or as per science, dependence on the brain power, since everything that could be memorized  was recordable  on a medium and easily recalled at will. Thus progressively human brain capacity to memorize data, process it ie. thinking and convert it into useful information or knowledge had been steadily diminishing. This steady  decline of intellect is compensated by more and more dependence on machines and technology, and nations who had fully resigned to this inevitable destiny of human condition , we call as developed nations. 
               
Thus we are now faced with a problem similar to that faced   in evolution theory,-one of many gaps in the theory, ie. “which came first : the egg or the hen?”.  Did  the act of recording or  writing, the cause for a diminishing intellect or  anticipating a decline in human intellectual capacity over  time, did wise men take steps in recording knowledge that otherwise would be lost.? Is this how alphabets and writing came into being. ? Which ever choice you make, it will  have the  effect of  casting a long dark shadow on the evolution,- or rather is it devolution ?- of knowledge from the past to the present. If human intellect is waning, the knowledge purported to be generated by the same will be faulty.!!!!The consequences of which we are facing in our day to day life .
(Critical feed-back  appreciated)