The past, the present, and the future are all a set of interconnected series of events happening at different lapses of time. The past usually determines the present, and the present ultimately gives a glimpse of what the future holds. But, while the stories of the past are not a strange one to our ears, the future is on the horizon, far away beyond grasp. The knowledge or the ignorance of the future, might create a burden of anxieties, a raised hope, and of longings in some people, while others might continue in the nonchalant and uncared attitudes due to both states of mind respectively.
However, life is such that knowledge is not absolute, and ignorance, though without doubt might be beneficial in some cases, is not the solution to the deficiencies of knowledge. Knowledge is the consciousness, being aware or the understanding of the existence of a fact, but ignorance is quite the opposite of this. Ignorance is the lack of basic understanding of things or the lack of knowledge.
When a little child is given birth to, there is no knowledge whatsoever, whether of what is or what’s to be. But overtime, the awareness of hunger or discomfort makes the child cry just to call for attention. Also as the child grows, he learns to crawl, babble, walk, play, and do all sorts of things, this is achieved by observing and learning from the environment. But ignorance is manifested if such a child without any disabilities decides to remain mute or not to walk and to grow solely because he does not want to. It is certain then, that knowledge is attained through education and observation, and ignorance is the product of the self-opinionated mind and the reluctance to learn.
More often than not, as knowledge has been likened to, as a ray of light or illumination. To everyone, it should not be a surprise to state that the purpose of light is to aid visibility. But “light” in another context is also likened to be a guide, meaning knowledge is potent in guiding every individual in their respective spheres of life. Whereas, ignorance is not a very far word from darkness, in that it subjects its owner to his own opinion.
Now, the dream of fulfilment is not far from everyone’s imagination, but the truth is, a rigorous task of education is set before such an individual, since it is the stepping stone to gaining knowledge, and subsequently to excel in any endeavor. But to an ignorant person, he safely turns away from this path of fulfilment in pursuit of less tasking adventure since he does not know better.
Another view is, in a world that is constantly changing and evolving, there is a need for each and every individual to also evolve in order to remain relevant in this ever dynamic system. Therefore, consistent and resolute learning brings about a state of awareness which is capable of pushing one forward to remain relevant in one’s endeavor. However, a state of ignorance relegates an individual to the lowest position one could ever imagine, since such has no understanding, nor awareness of this fact.
Moreover, being relevant stems from one major conclusion, that an individual has something unique to offer his immediate community and ultimately to the world at large. But to be useful requires one’s knowledge to be applied in the specific area of interest. So, without knowledge, an individual stands the chance of being useless in life.
It is popularly believed that there is peace of mind in not knowing or coming to the awareness of an impending calamity or not to show concern at all. Nevertheless, if this statement gives one a moment of peace and sound mind, one should also consider the heartache to come after the calamity has befallen the individual. Surely, what will be will be, but it is better to prepare. A person can at least prepare for a battle he’s aware of, but to a battle not known, defeat is inevitable. Ignorance itself is a misfortune.
Furthermore, successful people are not successful just because they are meant to be so, rather they have paid the price for the success they are enjoying. Backing every successful person is a solid knowledge of their area of influence. In all spheres of life, be it politics and government, economics, entertainment and social life, education, humanities and human relation, even to the spiritual aspect of life, there are different degrees of success and only those with sound knowledge of their niche finds success.
Conclusively, the only consolation derived from ignorance is that it is the starting point of knowledge. Because when ignorance is recognized, then knowledge begins. As in the case of the little child, from a state of being oblivious to his environment, if he could successfully decode the signal he received and transmit back in the form of communication, then, he has attained knowledge to a certain degree through learning from the environment.
By Taiwo Emmanuel Oladipupo
