Power of the unknown

In the ’70s, the ozone layer came under spotlight following the signs of depletion due to chemicals released by the industry, which threatened life on Earth. In 2003 however, scientists announced that the depletion may be slowing down, ownership of which was quickly claimed by the people without admitting the compulsion that pushed all countries – 196 of them, to reduce use of substances such as chlorofluorocarbons. It is now estimated that the ozone layer will recover to 1980 levels in the middle of the 21st century. 

If one looks back in history, a fair account of incidents – personal, social or political, can be reviewed as to the accuracy of any predictions that were made prior to their occurrence. If such prophecy is probable, we would be living in a pleasant world even in occasional anguish or in a prolonged destitute with some preparedness ahead of time. While it being not the case, this article speaks about a key determinant of happiness in life or motivation in business with the recognition of ‘the unknown’ which some may call ‘unknowability’. 

The writer does not mean ‘the unknown’ to be apophatic or the negative theology nor does he refer to other traditions of Negativa advocated by some authors. Instead, this proposes that the unknowability can occupy a central place in learning and understanding or at least perceiving the way in which common humans make assumptions.

In the article ‘How Do We Know What Cannot Be Known?’ some realities have been brought to light at the 38th Social Research Conference of the Centre for public scholarship in New York. There, it is explained, “From the earliest moments of humanity’s search for answers and explanations, we have grappled with the unknowable—that which we are unable or not permitted to know.”

In this background, it may be worth looking at the quest of unknowability where many myths have come into being such as knowledge based or assumed correlations. The time seems right to be blunt on the subject area which has been hitherto rejected by the might of the ‘knowledge’ based on perceptions and opinions with lack of clear evidence. 

Interestingly, Donald Rumsfeld’s famous statement that “there are known knowns … there are known unknowns … and there are also unknown unknowns,” to which Fintan O’Toole added ‘unknown knowns’. This would challenge the entire knowledge driven formulas of individuals and societies. 

It is suggested that most of the issues, locally or globally may be – just may be, resolved only if the humans are prepared to accept the true nature of the unknown. And that is simply embracing ‘I don’t know or I would never know?’

The most recent example being COVID-19 where it is said, with humour of course, while the superpowers are restless to find a potential vaccine, Wuhan has overcome the virus by simply drinking hot water and inhaling steam! Again, we don’t know if it is true.

I wrote previously that advanced educational institutes are yet to research into phenomena such as ‘ever-changing circumstances’ beyond the usual environmental analysis in business leading to development of strategies. This was in January 2020 which in a way places the traditional behavioural teachings such as positive thinking on trial.  The reality is that no such analysis could foresee many global situations except responding to day-to-day developments which may compel people either to new opportunities or perish. We wouldn’t know. 

The proactive approaches that are taught through knowledge-based learning models may be overturned by inevitable actions in which innovation or creativity may emerge. The established post theories cannot describe the unknown occurrences and that applies to majority of personal stories, rise and fall of institutions and as well as political changes. 

What would the power of the unknown then offer? First, to be mindful of the changing circumstances that cannot be controlled by the humans except being responsive to them. There is a recent article on the ‘windfall that the COVID-19 has brought to the wilderness’ in national parks in Sri Lanka. This may be the case in other countries too.

There are many examples where the universe is endeavouring to rectify herself, not giving priority for humans. This raises the question as to which occurrence between the Great Depression or the WW2 was crueller or whether latter rectified the former while neither of them was predicted ahead of time.   

Second, out of billions of profits declared each year by business conglomerates across the world, how much security has been retained for the people who contributed to continued success, at least with a common fund to face shattering situations like this? The achievements based on wealth, ROI, profits or brand values are interpreted in universal law as social justice, conservation of biodiversity and equality.

Third, the unknowability urges humans to find ways of surviving in the long run as against growth through vicious rivalry. The competition kills another through marketing warfare that openly promotes through literature as frontal attack, flank attack, bypass attack, etc., which could appear as mere concepts with the changing circumstances.

Fourth, the unknowability arouses the need to divest interests from one to another. Minimising dependence on one expertise to another in a different sphere, say from industry to agriculture, would have come in handy in situations such as COVID.   

Fifth, and not the least, the unknowability enables people to take a hard look at themselves and call for an inward journey. Such an audit into our inner machines would open the awareness into one’s own thoughts, sensations, feelings and emotions to find out if personal beliefs are really true which if not, would create more altruism. 

In conclusion, education systems leading to ego building is a symptom of the ignorance of the power of the unknown that operates beyond human comprehension. Slavery to wealth and power is the one that seems obstructing the universal law that has to find redress to the problems caused by humans. It is therefore desirable to comprehend the power of the unknown which would perhaps reveal its true nature that may well be nothing but the unconditional love leading to compassion across people and all beings on planet.

(The writer is a former diplomat, tourism official and currently an academic of Edith Cowan University, Perth, contactable through [email protected].)