THE PERMANENT LIMITATIONS OF OUR FACTUAL KNOWLEDGE
Human actions succeed not only due to the facts we know but also because they adapt to many facts we do not know. This adaptation is guided by rules that people may not consciously understand but follow in practice. Complete rational decision-making requires full knowledge of relevant facts, but in reality, success in society relies on more specific details than any individual can grasp. Therefore, civilization depends on a belief in truths that cannot be fully known.
Everyone exists in a state of ignorance about the particular facts that shape social actions. This ignorance is often overlooked, making it challenging to explain or influence societal processes. The temptation is to assume comprehensive knowledge exists, but this is misleading. Ignoring our ignorance can lead to misunderstandings about social order, as a society where all facts are known is fundamentally different from any existing society.
The significance of our ignorance is particularly evident in economics, where individual interactions create complex relationships that cannot be fully observed. Many rules and institutions in society emerge as adaptations to the limitations of our knowledge. Regarding justice, our incomplete knowledge prevents a full understanding of it, challenging those who assume omniscience.
In small, primitive communities, individuals share similar knowledge and experiences, allowing for more cohesive collaboration. However, in larger, modern societies, knowledge is fragmented. Individuals benefit from the accumulated knowledge of others rather than their own, enabling them to pursue a wider range of goals beyond basic needs. The notion that all relevant facts can be known and used to construct an ideal social order reflects a misunderstanding of the complexity of society, often referred to as the synoptic delusion.
Human actions succeed not only due to the facts we know but also because they adapt to many facts we do not know. This adaptation is guided by rules that people may not consciously understand but follow in practice. Complete rational decision-making requires full knowledge of relevant facts, but in reality, success in society relies on more specific details than any individual can grasp. Therefore, civilization depends on a belief in truths that cannot be fully known.
Everyone exists in a state of ignorance about the particular facts that shape social actions. This ignorance is often overlooked, making it challenging to explain or influence societal processes. The temptation is to assume comprehensive knowledge exists, but this is misleading. Ignoring our ignorance can lead to misunderstandings about social order, as a society where all facts are known is fundamentally different from any existing society.
The significance of our ignorance is particularly evident in economics, where individual interactions create complex relationships that cannot be fully observed. Many rules and institutions in society emerge as adaptations to the limitations of our knowledge. Regarding justice, our incomplete knowledge prevents a full understanding of it, challenging those who assume omniscience.
In small, primitive communities, individuals share similar knowledge and experiences, allowing for more cohesive collaboration. However, in larger, modern societies, knowledge is fragmented. Individuals benefit from the accumulated knowledge of others rather than their own, enabling them to pursue a wider range of goals beyond basic needs. The notion that all relevant facts can be known and used to construct an ideal social order reflects a misunderstanding of the complexity of society, often referred to as the synoptic delusion.