If the ignorenece is bliss why do we seek knowledge?

...the happier you become.

Is this a true statement? I believe it can be true, when one considers the circumstances involving acquiring the knowledge. I guess it all depends on the nature of the individual, as well as the circumstance they are going through. Still - I believe that at some point - the more knowledge and/or wisdom one acquires, the less happy and more frightened they can become - at least from the human perspective. I think possessing too much knowledge within this limited human form - can make one finally begin to realize, how little control they truly have over their life, and over the universe itself. One also becomes extremely sensitive to the needs and awarenesses of others - be they good or bad, which I believe can be extremely debilitating at times.

Funnily enough, while all of this is happening - I still think one can become very enamored by the wisdom and/or knowledge they are presented with - as well as with the presenter - while at the same time being frightened by both.

So in summary:

Does possessing wisdom and knowledge bring more happiness --
or does being ignorant make one truly blissful?

I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts.

the happier you become.

Originally posted by debbiejo
Only if you are secure with yourself because the more you know, the more opposition you may get, and if you are the type to let others judgments of you bother you, then you will not be very happy at all.....

Extremely well thought out response - well done, I commend you. I do believe that one has to still keep an open mind(regarding the judgements of others)particularly being a flawed human being, and if they want to be successful in applying said knowledge in assisting others.

Originally posted by usagi_yojimbo
Does possessing wisdom and knowledge bring more happiness --
or does being ignorant make one truly blissful?

It can be frightening learning that you have less control than you previously believed, but wisdom and knowledge give you the tools that allow you to maximize your control and impact in the limited sphere you occupy.

Imo, the only drawback of wisdom and knowledge is if the lessons I briefly stated are not learned. When such lessons are not learned one tends to visions of grandeur, and I believe that if such occurs ignorance may be a much preferred state.

"Ignorance is bliss" is sarcasm, probably first said by someone who wasn't careful what he/she wished for, then figuring ostriches have the right idea and went to find a hole.

Ignorance is dangerous. Love is bliss.

Originally posted by Regret
Imo, the only drawback of wisdom and knowledge is if the lessons I briefly stated are not learned. When such lessons are not learned one tends to visions of grandeur, and I believe that if such occurs ignorance may be a much preferred state.

Excellent points. I guess one has to come to the realization though, that wisdom, knowledge, grandeur, ignorance - all of it is just meaningless anyway. The only thing I believe that gives any of it meaning, is *Love*..

I mean - what's the point of being wise, if there is no *Love* within the wisdom being presented. Even the "loving" ignoramus - has much more value to his words - than the arrogant-unloving wise(knowledgeable) man.

But I guess that last statement really begs the answer to the question - which one is really the wise man..and which one is really the ignoramus? 😉

Originally posted by Mindship
"Ignorance is bliss" is sarcasm, probably first said by someone who wasn't careful what he/she wished for, then figuring ostriches have the right idea and went to find a hole.

But that hole is ohh so comfortable..at least until the ostriche finds out that there's actually a snake inside of it..😉

Originally posted by Mindship
Ignorance is dangerous. Love is bliss.

Simple and to the point - I knew there was a reason as to why I liked you..😉

Well he is likable......... 😄

And to add, the love being bliss part, That is the part about being secure with ones self too. If you are, then you can not let what others judge you about, but just love them where they are now and not where you'd like them to be. (do you understand what I mean?) Acceptance of them and still being true to yourself and how you've evolved in YOUR thinking and outlook.

But many people are oh so afraid to seek out knowledge, and if you try to show them something on a particular subject of importance then they NOW KNOW that something has to give/change, and this is a very very uncomfortable place to be for many people. They would rather not be uncomfortable. But what they don't realize that this uncomfortableness is only temporary. It is said that "Humans are creatures of habit", which I believe includes going through the same thoughts and ways......

"Simple and to the point - I knew there was a reason as to why I liked you.."
Just doing my job, making the streets safe for democracy. 😮‍💨

"Well he is likable......... "
At this rate, I won't be able to fit my swelled head through any of my shirts.

"And to add, the love being bliss part, That is the part about being secure with ones self too. If you are, then you can not let what others judge you about, but just love them where they are now and not where you'd like them to be. (do you understand what I mean?)"
Yes. Yes, I do.

Because that line is a load of bullcrap. Ignorance leads to fear, and no-one is blissful when they're living in fear. Ignorance leads to anger, because we're angery we're in the dark. Have you ever fealt at peace while pissed off?

And ultimately ignorance leads to self-loathing. When we don't know who to hate, we hate ourselves.

So no, in no way does ignorance lead to bliss. The reason children are more happy then adults is not because they're ignorant, but because

a) They have adults to work for them. They don't have responsibility or preassures asscosiated with the adult.

b) They're young and full of energy.

c) They take things for face value. Because they havn't been brainwashed into thinking like the average adult. So a candycane is not "a sugar stick that'll raise my blood glucose levels" but "a sweet treat that can keep me busy for about fifteen to twenty minutes". Children get unhappy, that's why they seek toys, candy, and attention. As human beings, hell, as living beings we naturaly seek to distant ourselves from pain. Ignorance only perpetuates pain.

We seek knowledge to explain what we do not yet know, ignorance is bliss means that what we may learn out of curiosity may upset us, make us less happy eg the fact that in 50yrs the Earths lungs , the rain forest will be GONE!

Originally posted by Green Arrow
Because that line is a load of bullcrap. Ignorance leads to fear, and no-one is blissful when they're living in fear. Ignorance leads to anger, because we're angery we're in the dark. Have you ever fealt at peace while pissed off?

And ultimately ignorance leads to self-loathing. When we don't know who to hate, we hate ourselves.

So no, in no way does ignorance lead to bliss. The reason children are more happy then adults is not because they're ignorant, but because

a) They have adults to work for them. They don't have responsibility or preassures asscosiated with the adult.

b) They're young and full of energy.

c) They take things for face value. Because they havn't been brainwashed into thinking like the average adult. So a candycane is not "a sugar stick that'll raise my blood glucose levels" but "a sweet treat that can keep me busy for about fifteen to twenty minutes". Children get unhappy, that's why they seek toys, candy, and attention. As human beings, hell, as living beings we naturaly seek to distant ourselves from pain. Ignorance only perpetuates pain.

Ahh - I can sense a tone of anger and loathing in your post.

This being such - I think we're referring to two different types of ignorance(s). *Willfull* ignorance seems to be what you're referring to, and it is much - much(much) more dangerous, than the *innocent* ignorance portrayed by one with a childlike heart and mind.

Usually this type of ignorance is demonstrated, when one refuses to seek *truth*, despite knowing of its existence. The individual will then end up making up their own rendition of *truth*, in order to compensate for the lack(or absence) of truth within them. The end result of this, is an angry - bitter - delusional individual, never satisfied with any loving knowledge they've received(or anything they've received for that matter), and who lives in a world - where *truth* is only determined by the fulfillment of their own selfish(and whimsical) desires.

This is a something that I am always analyzing and thinking about.

Seeing how people behave and such, a lot of people choose to stay in safe positions to avoid problems.

I have many examples of people that I know and situations in my life of when people choose to stay in ignorance to avoid thinking about things that could lead them to reach conclusions that they don´t will like.

People like to be unconscious of everything, its easier to ignore all variables, reach quick conclusions and don´t think about them in case they´re wrong.

To evolve you must make some effort and not run away.

One day some people will have to wake up and it will be difficult because the anesthetic effects of ignorance will wear off.

I generally spend more time contemplating the so-called *innocent* ignorance. Ignorance is a fact you're going to have to live with, and any other assumption would be living in denial. But how can you change something often percieved as an inherent weakness into a source of strength? At least in Buddhism, the spiritual journey often begins with acknowledging and accepting that ignorance, i.e. "don't know" mind.

Otherwise, I'm generally pessimistic about like and wonder when that *willful* ignorance will set in, if it hasn't already, and I'll be hopelessly entrenched in a given viewpoint for no other reason than the false sense of security it affords me.

ignorance is bliss, but only for so long

You only fear that which you know that exists, the less you know the less there is to fear. Sure, these things might get to you anyhow, knowing about them or not.
There is bliss in ignorance. Shit happens anyhow, you can be spending thoughts and time anticipating it and getting all wind up, or ignoring the possibility and being free of worries for as long as it lasts.
This world just makes the latter fairly impossible, besides that the quote is true.

Half of world's misery comes from ignorance, the other half from knowledge.

Ignorance of all things is an evil neither terrible nor excessive, nor yet the greatest of all; but great cleverness and much learning, if they be accompanied by a bad training, are a much greater misfortune.

- Plato -

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Half of world's misery comes from ignorance, the other half from knowledge.

Nah...I would more say it's 51 - 49

WTF ?

Ignorance isn't Bliss !!!!!

ORGASM IS BLISS drooliodrooliodroolio