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Question | Is knowing facts as important as understanding ideas and concepts?
Facts, although necessary for many aspects of daily life, is not nearly as valuable as understanding ideas and concepts. The indisputable empirical may be proven to be true without opinion, but it is understanding that propel questions, research, and discoveries forward.
Many people associate science with facts; if something is backed by experiments, it is true. However, a vast number fail to recognize that without the understanding of how the physical laws and concepts work, a scientist will not be able to extrapolate on a set of data nor form new hypotheses to test. Any human being knew that apples fall out of trees onto the ground - it is an accepted fact. Newton was able to make calculations and form postulates based on deeper understanding of physics. After the laws of gravity, force and motions were established, Einstein’s extrapolation on these facts formed the theory of relativity, which further challenged Newton’s belief of a world and law of motion. As a result, only knowing facts can be limiting.
Another example of limitation of knowledge is presented in Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. This novel is set in a society that restricts knowledge down to only the facts by burning books. Consequently, the members of a seemingly organized utopian society are mindlessly going about daily life. The main character, a “firefighter” whose job is to burn books, finds the lifestyle extremely unsatisfying, as he cannot find meaning in life due to the lack of knowledge. He eventually risks his life to find literary enlightenment to reconcile the ignorance that clouded his sight for so long.
People seek enlightenment to find meaning in life, regardless of what has or has not been proven. While atheists refuse to believe in anything spiritual due to lack of proof, others accept and follow religions or ideals because of their belief in the concepts they convey. It is not incorrect for atheists to not follow a spiritual path if they already find their lives fulfilling, but despite the invisibility of spiritual “forces,” the peaceful messages, kind actions, or promise of an eternal afterlife may pacify the troubles of an individual and augment his overall well-being.
Although facts and data are an undeniably essential part of daily life, they do not allow an individual to progress without the understanding of ideas and concepts behind them.