Ambiguity

In addition to subtlety, ambiguity is inherent in all systems.

Systems are big. There’s no way to know everything about all aspects of most systems. We can find tendencies for how entire systems evolve. We can find insights into how relationships impact system dynamics. We can learn a lot about the elements that make up a system.

However, we are often not able to grok it all at once. We must live with ambiguity. The more we learn about one system, the less we learn about others.

While it’s not the one I was looking for, the following quote is relevant.

“The mark of a mature, psychologically healthy mind is indeed the ability to live with uncertainty and ambiguity, but only as much as there really is. Uncertainty is no virtue when the facts are clear, and ambiguity is mere obfuscation when more precise terms are applicable.”

— Julian Baggini

This quote matches my experience.

It upsets me that people often don’t bother to learn the facts!

“Fake news” is a real problem. We should all be able to agree on basic facts. Facts should be the foundation of our beliefs.

I have no problem if someone believes abortion is an unacceptable practice. As long as they are aware of the fact that Row v. Wade resulted in less criminal activity starting about twenty years after it became law.

Beliefs should be grounded in our best understanding of factual information. Beliefs should change when our understanding deepens. Beliefs should die when we realize that they are based on a fantasy.

Acceptance of ambiguity is what allows us to grow.