The Greatest enemy of Knowledge is not ignorance; it is the Illusion of

knowledge

During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.

- George Orwell, 1984

In the aftermath of the contentious US Presidential elections, the world woke up to a new
vocabulary - Alternative facts, Post-truth etc. The words were able to bond with the
masses and the willingness to persevere with a particular notion either in entire ignorance
of, or with a blatant disregard for reality was booming. Such was the extent of this effect,
that Post-Truth became the Oxford Word of the year owing to the manifold references
among the multitudes.

This creates a conundrum for the rest of the populace, to anyone interested in a fragment
of deliberative democracy since it is not exactly crystal as to how to deliberate if empirical
evidence holds no value.

This was described by David Dunning and Justin Kruger, in their cognitive study to
understand human thoughts. The study postulates that the miscalibration of the
incompetent stems from an error about the self, whereas the miscalibration of the highly
competent stems from an error about others." The study formulated in 1999, but it holds
reference throughout history and even to this day.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing to trifle with. The individuals with the mindset
of Know-it-all do not suffer from a pathological condition as such. It is a human
condition.

The Rise of Illusion of Knowledege

It is surprising that our choices to have the illusion of knowledge stems from a year
dominated by highly-charged political and social discourses. The rise of the social media
among the masses as a news source and a growing distrust of facts offered by
establishments of repute such as the White house has forced the common man into a
corner; and like any other animal when a man is pushed into a corner, he can either
submit or attack. He chose the latter and the Illusion of knowledge has been finding its
linguistic footing ever since.

Intensification of the challenges set by the delusion

The lawyers and policymakers around the world are struggling to adapt to the
unprecedented legal and political challenges woven by this illusion.
The world at large is at a standstill due to these increasing incidences. It is now unclear
how a rational debate can be sustained in a democracy when one of its key proponents
of deliberation is under siege and possible replacement.

In-depth analysis of the conundrum

Since the dawn of time, scholars and academicians have characterized political
misperceptions as Knowledge Discrepancies arising out of individuals due to the lack
of interest in not having a strong foothold in their domains.

Hence, such people desperately attempt to do anything to reinforce their commitment to

their initial position. And most often the case they cross the line between Reality and
Fantasy. Such positions does not hold good for the country and can do more harm than
good for the purpose it was intended for.

One of the key things which can help us understand this conundrum is taken from
Psychology The Winner Effect. This is most prevalent among the CEOs who engage
in verbal combat as well as physical combat. This provide a grueling insights into the
causes of the knowledge of illusion woven by politicians around the world alike. The
Winner effect is noted as follows:

An animal engaged in some form of combat, if victorious, will exit the competition with
an increase level of testosterone. This leads to increasing the level of testosterone and
resultant aggressiveness, when the animal goes into the next doubt This effect was
observed in many London politicians according to a study.

The Road Ahead

The power to change these illusions now fall on the hands of those who most desire it.
Through sustained and concerted pragmatism, one may be able to negate these effects.
Focusing on communication is one of the fundamental approach, one can take to. An
approach should be taken as to how to address the psychological, neurological and social
factors that are driving the illusion of knowledge. The desirers and handlers of truth must
embark on a journey of having a well-researched response that any alternative facts may
throw up.

Only through these measure that we can dare to defy the communicative challenges of a
post-truth society and traverse the brave new world in which we have now found
ourselves in.

Knowing you don't know is better than having an illusion you know.