Certainty and Doubt
Certainty is a pleasurable feeling to have. We often times take these feelings for granted and do not realize that nothing in the world is a hundred percent certain. Many are convinced that certainty allows one to achieve dreams and desires; but this is untrue. Many do not realize that just because something has not been proven wrong, does not mean it is necessarily true. The intelligence to have a certain amount of doubt regarding everything is truly a blessing to have. Doubt allows us to make discoveries and motivates us to achieve greatness, while certainty can on courage complacency.
However, with both, a person can uncover an excess amount of greatness within oneself. Through doubting of the accepted logic of society, many have risen to greatness by discovery in the past. Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and Christopher Columbus are all pioneers that led the world to new discoveries on different frontiers. From the creation of the light bulb and the telephone, to the discovery of the new world, these well-known men of action had begun their journey based on their individual doubts.
Due to their doubts, these men were able to make such breakthroughs that they changed the whole world. Without the doubt of the general knowledge of the time, these men would have amounted to something less than what they are given credit for today. Although, having too much doubt can lead to distrust, a person who completely lacks in doubt is considered extremely gullible. In order to avoid gullibility, you must have an amount of doubt on specific subject. Within high school, there are many lies and rumors spread throughout the student body.
To avoid gullibility in this particular environment, one must start by searching for the truth. Having doubts on the rumors that are spread throughout the student body can reveal what is the truth. On the other hand, acquiring an excessive amount of doubt can lead to distrust and misunderstandings amongst one’s peers. Doubt can oftentimes be just as polluting to the mind as gullibility. Being doubtful could lead to stress-related health problems such as paranoia and anxiety.
We oftentimes do not realize the depth of seriousness of stress that doubt could lead to and we tend to brush it away without giving it recognition. Just like doubt, some certainty in moderation contributes to peace of mind, just as doubt would. Certainty itself is birthed from doubt. It is from ones doubts that a person gains their individual certainty. Without doubt, certainty would never be reached. Many had doubted Thomas Edison when he had attempted to invent the light bulb. It is because that Edison had doubted their beliefs that he had certainty within his own.
It was because of this combination of doubt and certainty that Edison was able to progress the . Having one without the other, it would have been nearly impossible for most leaps and bounds in any field of discovery. However, by having both, a person can have the motivation to explore the unknown world. By having doubt in another’s ideals can give a person purpose to search for another explanation. And by having certainty in one’s own beliefs, due to doubt, a person has the self-confidence to make the steps necessary to achieve their goal.
A balance of both could lead to plethora potential in any area of ideals and concepts. To achieve one’s goals, it is certain that doubt is a major contribution to success. Having doubt is a great motivator to acquire, but an abundant amount could lead to paranoia and anxiety. Being certain on a specific subject can lead to peace of mind, but it also can prevent society world from feeling the need to make new discoveries. Both of these states of mind are needed to truly unlock one’s own potential and imagination.
