Edited by Jim McCrory, Thursday, 24 Oct 2024, 09:25
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"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."
Psalm 146:3 KHuman beings have an
innate desire to follow others, especially those perceived as wiser, more
capable, or even divinely inspired. But Psalm 146:3 offers a crucial reminder: "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." History
repeatedly shows us the pitfalls of placing blind faith in leaders—whether
political, religious, or intellectual—who are, like all of us, fallible.
The Trap of Groupthink
One of the most dangerous
aspects of human behaviour is our susceptibility to groupthink. The
irrationality keeps when desire for concord within a group overrides critical
thinking. Groupthink leads to irrational decisions because individuals suppress
dissent, overlooking flaws in favour of consensus. It is not by accident that
many of disastrous decisions in
history—from failed economic policies to misguided wars—were made by leaders
surrounded by groups too focused on agreement rather than wisdom.
The Myth of Competence
There is a dangerous
tendency to assume that if an idea is supported by professionals—whether
academics, politicians, or religious leaders—it must be valid. Yet some of
history’s gravest mistakes have been made by those considered experts in their
field. Religious groups, for instance, have repeatedly predicted specific dates
for apocalyptic events, claiming Divine guidance. These prophecies have failed
to materialize, but followers often persist, trusting in the authority of their
leaders being guided by God despite the evidence to the contrary and the principle found at Deuteronomy 18:21-22.
Similarly, political
leaders, often surrounded by well-credentialed advisors, have made disastrous
decisions based on flawed economic theories. The recent trade wars waged by
global superpowers were the result of leadership blinded by a belief in their own
righteousness, backed by an echo chamber of experts. The consequences were
dire: economic collapse, widespread suffering, and a loss of trust in
institutions.
Misguided Science and the
Illusion of Certainty
Even in the realm of
scientific inquiry, there is no consensus on foundational theories. Theories of
evolution, for example, vary significantly: gradualism, punctuated equilibrium,
and others propose differing paths of species development. These contradictions
highlight the limits of human understanding. All these theories cannot be true,
yet many are accepted as plausible, reflecting the uncertainty and
imperfections in our collective knowledge.
Lessons from History: Humility Over Certainty
The greatest catastrophes
arise when we stop questioning and assume that collective agreement equates to
truth. Whether in politics, science, or religion, history teaches us that
leaders who project absolute certainty are often the most dangerous. Jesus rebuked
the Pharisees not because they lacked knowledge, but because they believed
themselves to be above reproach. Their certainty blinded them to their own
failings, much like today’s leaders who surround themselves with sycophants,
promoting only ideas that conform to their preconceptions.
True wisdom begins with
humility, recognizing the limits of our own knowledge. Psalm 146:3 advises us
not to place ultimate trust in human leaders, no matter how intelligent or
authoritative they seem. Humans are fallible, prone to error, and susceptible
to the corrupting influences of pride and groupthink. History confirms this,
revealing that even the most respected leaders and experts can lead us astray.
Conclusion
The path to wisdom lies
not in blind faith or in following leaders who claim certainty but in seeking
truth with humility. Whether in science, politics, or religion, we must always
question, reflect, and recognize that humans—even the most intelligent among
us—are prone to error. Only God’s guidance, as Psalm 146:3 reminds us, is
infallible. So, when someone says, "Follow me, I know the path” , stop and
think.
Follow Me, I'm Lost: Thoughts on Human Wisdom
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"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."
Psalm 146:3 KHuman beings have an innate desire to follow others, especially those perceived as wiser, more capable, or even divinely inspired. But Psalm 146:3 offers a crucial reminder: "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." History repeatedly shows us the pitfalls of placing blind faith in leaders—whether political, religious, or intellectual—who are, like all of us, fallible.
The Trap of Groupthink
One of the most dangerous aspects of human behaviour is our susceptibility to groupthink. The irrationality keeps when desire for concord within a group overrides critical thinking. Groupthink leads to irrational decisions because individuals suppress dissent, overlooking flaws in favour of consensus. It is not by accident that many of disastrous decisions in history—from failed economic policies to misguided wars—were made by leaders surrounded by groups too focused on agreement rather than wisdom.
The Myth of Competence
There is a dangerous tendency to assume that if an idea is supported by professionals—whether academics, politicians, or religious leaders—it must be valid. Yet some of history’s gravest mistakes have been made by those considered experts in their field. Religious groups, for instance, have repeatedly predicted specific dates for apocalyptic events, claiming Divine guidance. These prophecies have failed to materialize, but followers often persist, trusting in the authority of their leaders being guided by God despite the evidence to the contrary and the principle found at Deuteronomy 18:21-22.
Similarly, political leaders, often surrounded by well-credentialed advisors, have made disastrous decisions based on flawed economic theories. The recent trade wars waged by global superpowers were the result of leadership blinded by a belief in their own righteousness, backed by an echo chamber of experts. The consequences were dire: economic collapse, widespread suffering, and a loss of trust in institutions.
Misguided Science and the Illusion of Certainty
Even in the realm of scientific inquiry, there is no consensus on foundational theories. Theories of evolution, for example, vary significantly: gradualism, punctuated equilibrium, and others propose differing paths of species development. These contradictions highlight the limits of human understanding. All these theories cannot be true, yet many are accepted as plausible, reflecting the uncertainty and imperfections in our collective knowledge.
Lessons from History: Humility Over Certainty
The greatest catastrophes arise when we stop questioning and assume that collective agreement equates to truth. Whether in politics, science, or religion, history teaches us that leaders who project absolute certainty are often the most dangerous. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees not because they lacked knowledge, but because they believed themselves to be above reproach. Their certainty blinded them to their own failings, much like today’s leaders who surround themselves with sycophants, promoting only ideas that conform to their preconceptions.
True wisdom begins with humility, recognizing the limits of our own knowledge. Psalm 146:3 advises us not to place ultimate trust in human leaders, no matter how intelligent or authoritative they seem. Humans are fallible, prone to error, and susceptible to the corrupting influences of pride and groupthink. History confirms this, revealing that even the most respected leaders and experts can lead us astray.
Conclusion
The path to wisdom lies not in blind faith or in following leaders who claim certainty but in seeking truth with humility. Whether in science, politics, or religion, we must always question, reflect, and recognize that humans—even the most intelligent among us—are prone to error. Only God’s guidance, as Psalm 146:3 reminds us, is infallible. So, when someone says, "Follow me, I know the path” , stop and think.