Bokonism is a religion built on lies. Shameless lies, nothing more. And yet, I find Bokonism to be an ideal religion, a religion that utters the clearest truth: that the concept of pursuing these ideal truths does not matter in the slightest.
The narrator begins Cat’s Cradle with the statement that “Nothing in this book is true. ‘Live by the (harmless untruths) that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy.’” For most individuals, the truth exists as some holy concept, something beyond ourselves. As Plato dictated, truth was one of the forms that humans could not even grasp. Clearly it was some idealized theory. As Cat’s Cradle so perfectly argues, this constant struggle for absolute truths is in itself a dangerous pursuit.
Cat’s Cradle emphasizes the fact that the pursuit of truth is a hollow pursuit; as the narrator states on line 54, “I just have trouble understanding how truth, all by itself, could be enough for a person.” While the truth is meant to satisfy, the question arises whether an eternal truth can ever truly be found. In Chapter 26, What God Is, Felix Hoenikker questions whether any human being can actually prove something that is absolutely true. Dr. Hoenikker dictates that nothing can be proven as an absolute truth.
When humanity constantly questions and strives for this overarching truth that binds together humanity, I believe that the personal connection between people is lost. As with the search for science, what has this truth actually imparted on us? Science has given us the ability to destroy the world ten times over.
Personally, I like to believe that the pursuit of happiness can be facilitated by both truth and lies. The downfall comes when humans devote their lives to the fallacy of attempting to find some sort of truth in everything that occurs.
I feel we have been too hard on science in this class. Science has not only given us weaponry. It has also improved our understanding of medicine and the human body such that we live longer, healthier lives. It has improved our technology such that we can travel more easily and communicate more quickly. In a way it has brought the people of the world closer together. Scientific discovery can bring satisfaction and happiness.
ReplyDeleteI do however agree that searching for the truth about everything all the time will not always bring happiness. Some things we are better off not knowing. For instance, if it turned out that the Sun were going to die out in ten years I would rather live that last decade without that knowledge.
The science debate is very difficult because there is no clean cut good side and bad side there. I just see many consequences both good and bad that have come from scientific advancement.
ReplyDeleteBut as far is the appeal of Bokononism, I also agree. Ignorance is bliss. I obviously do not enjoy realizing that I have ever been ignorant, but in the moment of totally oblivion, I cannot complain. It is far more difficult to face the facts because then you either feel compelled to do something about them or you feel bad for not doing anything. For example, the more I read about global warming, the worse I feel when I leave the lights on or litter or get too lazy to recycle.