120 philosophical essays you must read in your life

Chapter 70

Chapter 4 Section 10 Expel Ignorance

[UK] Milton

Without ups and downs, without suffering, a life of great joy and sorrow is like that of an animal, or with a little bird that builds its little nest on a very high treetop in a forest far and deep. life the same.It feeds its offspring safely in that little world, flies here and there in search of food without fear of a hunter's trap, and sings with its sweet voice at dawn and dusk.This is the "happy life" of the ignorant.Why does the human brain think about so many troublesome things?Well, if you take this as an argument, then we will dedicate to ignorance the wine cup of the witch in Homer's epic "Odyssey", let it take off its human painted skin, restore it to an animal shape and become a member of the animal kingdom.Return ignorance to the animals, who would surely refuse to accept this unknown guest.

In any case, many animals also have some low-level reasoning ability or are driven by some strong instincts, so that they can perform some high-level labor or invent something.Plutarch tells us that dogs show some discerning knowledge when they track prey.If they happen to come across an intersection, they use logical thinking to decide which way to go.Aristotle pointed out that nightingales educate their young with certain musical rules.

Many animals heal themselves.They teach valuable knowledge in medicine.The Egyptian ibis taught us the value of laxatives, and the hippopotamus taught us the benefits of bloodletting.Who would think that animals who regularly foretell us of wind, rain, floods, or good or bad weather cannot see astronomical phenomena?The prudence and strict character displayed by the goose is amazing!In order to prevent the danger of talking too much, it flew over Mount Taurus with a pebble in its mouth.Ants enlighten our family finances; our republics benefit from bees; and military science recognizes the practice of the crane sentinel post and triangular formations in battle, to the benefit of mankind.Animals are so intelligent that ignorance is not allowed to exist in their groups and societies.They will force ignorance to a lower level.

What level is that?Is it trees and stones?If ignorance is with trees and stones, why did trees, bushes, and whole forests uproot themselves and hasten to hear the sweet music of Orpheus?They are also endowed with incredible powers and magical talents of prophecy.Rock also has a gift for learning, being able to understand and respond to verses.Is ignorance, then, also driven away by rocks and trees?Yes, ignorance is driven down to a lower level than any animal, lower than rocks and stones, lower than any natural thing.Can the ignorant be allowed to seek rest in the famous "none" of the followers of Epicurus?No, it is not allowed there.For ignorance is something worse, baser, and loathsome than hedonism.All in all, ignorance is useless and worthless.

【Together with you】

Ignorance is a more unforgivable vice than poverty and laziness.In the world we live in, everything displays its spirituality according to the order arranged by God.On the basis of following the law, it glows with upward power.Ignorance is regarded as the lowest level of taste, and it is not worthy of praise at any time. Teenagers should be proud of their erudition and strive to cultivate high-level life wisdom to make life more valuable.In the face of immediate suffering, people feel ashamed of being happy.

(End of this chapter)