The Power of Not Knowing
“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” — Confucius
As human beings, our perception of reality is incredibly limited. Scientifically, we can only detect a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. We can't see ultraviolet light, X-rays, gamma rays or infrared. The visible light we do perceive is just a tiny fraction of what exists.
In other words, most of reality is beyond our direct experience.
We make sense of the world through a narrow lens, shaped by biology, memory, culture and language. Yet it's easy to forget that our version of reality is partial and not necessarily the whole picture.
Despite this, modern life often encourages certainty. There's a collective tendency to move through the world with confidence, sometimes even entitlement, as if the world should conform to our expectations.
But what if we stepped back and reflected more often?
There are things we don’t know that we don’t even know we don’t know.
These “unknown unknowns” remind us of our blind spots, not just as individuals, but as a species.
Then there are “known unknowns” and these are things we’re aware we haven’t fully grasped:
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more than 80% of the Earth's oceans are still unmapped, unobserved and unexplored.
We’ve only investigated a small fraction of space. The observable universe is thought to span 93 billion light-years in diameter and we’ve explored only a tiny part of our own solar system.
Consciousness itself remains scientifically mysterious. Is it purely a function of the brain or does it involve something we haven’t yet identified?
One fact that always puts things in perspective for me:
There may be more galaxies in the observable universe than grains of sand on Earth.
Estimates vary, but astronomers (e.g. from NASA and studies published in Nature) have suggested there could be as many as 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe, more than the estimated grains of sand on Earth’s beaches. Whether precisely accurate or not, it’s a striking reminder of our cosmic smallness.
That kind of scale can evoke different reactions. For some, it might spark a sense of insignificance or existential discomfort. For others, it may invite calm a serve as a reminder that it’s okay not to have everything figured out.
Personally, I find peace in the idea that our existence, in all its fragility, is something rare and extraordinary. That simply being here is enough. Everything else is a bonus.
This is where the power of reframing becomes meaningful:
We don’t have to work. We get to.
We don’t have to connect with others. We get to.
We don’t have to try again. We get to.
These small shifts in mindset invite us to hold life’s challenges with a little more curiosity and compassion.
That’s it from me this week.
Fahim
Disclaimer
These reflections are my own and written from the perspective of a trainee therapist. They are not intended as professional or therapeutic advice, nor do they represent any organisation or professional body. The views expressed here reflect my current stage of development and understanding, and may evolve as I continue to learn.
If you are struggling with your mental health or emotional wellbeing, please seek support from a qualified professional.