202306030916 Status: #idea #🧠 Tags: #david-deutsch #philosophy #science #epistemology # The Principle of Optimism > "Optimism is the theory that all failures – all evils – are due to insufficient knowledge. This is the key to the rational philosophy of the unknowable." > — [[David Deutsch]] #quote > "All evils are caused by insufficient knowledge." > — [[David Deutsch]] #quote Optimism is a significant theme in [[David Deutsch]]'s work. He expresses a profound optimism about the potential for progress and improvement in various domains of human endeavor, including science, technology, and society. As with most of Deutsch's epistemology, it's heavily informed by the thinking and works of [[Karl Popper]]. > "The possibilities that lie in the future are infinite. When I say ‘It is our duty to remain optimists,’ this includes not only the openness of the future but also that which all of us contribute to it by everything we do: we are all responsible for what the future holds in store. Thus it is our duty, not to prophesy evil but, rather, to fight for a better world." > — [[Karl Popper]], The Myth of the Framework (1994) #quote According to David Deutsch's definition of optimism, all failures or evils are attributed to insufficient knowledge. Deutsch argues that by acquiring and applying explanatory knowledge, we can mitigate or resolve problems that lead to undesirable outcomes. He contends that many challenges arise from gaps in our understanding and that expanding our knowledge base is key to progress and improvement. Deutsch's optimism stems from his belief that progress is possible through the acquisition and application of explanatory knowledge. He argues that many problems and limitations we encounter can be overcome by improving our understanding of the world and developing better explanatory theories. This includes not only scientific knowledge but also moral and political knowledge. He argues that our ability to create and understand explanations is what drives progress and innovation. By constructing and refining explanatory theories, we can unlock new insights, solve problems, and expand the frontiers of knowledge. --- # References -