The Power of "I Don't Know"

It was the day I had been preparing for months - the presentation of my thesis proposal to my master's degree jury. My thesis was based On critical discourse analysis (CDA), a qualitative research method that examines how language constructs social realities. I felt it was perfectly suited to my topic. But as I began my presentation, the jury's tone told me something was wrong. One professor outright stated he had never heard of critical discourse analysis. Another, a doctor in discourse analysis herself, became defensive and accused me of trying to "educate" them.

I was stunned. I had researched critical discourse analysis extensively and provided numerous academic references supporting its validity. Yet the jury was clearly skeptical, if not offended. Their egos seemed bruised by the mere suggestion that I, a lowly student, could inform them about something they did not already know.

At that moment, I had a choice...

Of course, being the independent thinker in a university full of traditional academics with a majority of doctor-pleaser students - a microcosm of the conservative establishment of my country Lebanon - I decided to continue with CDA despite their skepticism. Clearly, this student challenging the respected jury ruffled some feathers! This steadfast decision came at a cost - the jury's reluctance meant it took me an extra year to finish my thesis. However, I remained confident that CDA was the right methodology for my research. The jury may have delayed me, but they couldn't deter me!

We’ve all experienced it - the hesitation to admit when we lack knowledge on a topic. In a world that often equates not knowing with weakness, saying "I don't know" can feel daunting. However, embracing intellectual humility by acknowledging the gaps in our understanding can profoundly enrich our lives and relationships.?

This simple act of acknowledging “I don’t know” unleashes curiosity and prevents us from defending flimsy positions. It clears a path for the exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives, and mutual enlightenment. As fourth-century BC philosopher Socrates famously stated, “I know that I know nothing.”

Many of history's greatest thinkers have openly admitted the boundaries of their knowledge, showing intellectual humility. Isaac Newton said, "I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore...whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." Charles Darwin regretted his lack of mathematical knowledge. Bertrand Russell argued that admitting doubt was wise. Michel Foucault avoided proclaiming absolute truths. Noam Chomsky acknowledges the ongoing gaps in his understanding. Even Abu Nawwas, the famous Arabic poet, emphasized in a satirical verse:

????? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????????

??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????

Which can be translated as: “Claiming wisdom, in philosophic plea, Some truths they hold, but vast remains the sea.”

These examples reveal how acknowledging gaps in understanding can connect us in our shared quest for answers. Rather than dividing us, intellectual modesty brings us together through mutual learning. It replaces rigid dogma with flexibility, openness, and nuance - crucial attributes for a complex world.

The current era of misinformation highlights the need for this mindset. A recent study by Stanford researchers found that overconfidence is a key factor in the spread of false news online. People retweet and share misinformation because they overestimate their ability to identify fake content. Intellectual humility is a crucial antidote, prompting deeper scrutiny of sensational claims by reminding us that the truth is often nuanced and elusive.

Of course, admitting gaps in knowledge becomes more difficult as we age. Research indicates that intellectual humility peaks in our thirties and gradually declines as cognitive entrenchment settles in. To keep our minds supple and expansive, we must make a regular practice of acknowledging our limited understanding. The eightfold path of Buddhism provides guidance: “Right View” calls for clarity about oneself and the world, anchored in intellectual humility. Clinging to the conceit that we “know it all” leads to suffering; embracing that we don’t liberates us.

Life is an ongoing education, full of lessons waiting to be learned at every turn. The riches of knowledge are infinite, but our individual perspectives are constrained by biases and incomplete information. By acknowledging “I don’t know,” we open ourselves to growth, and possibilities, and forge mutual understanding across divides. The phrase represents an honorable admission of our beautiful human fallibility in the face of life’s beautiful complexity. Simply put, uttering “I don’t know” leads us on a journey toward wisdom.

?