Premium: Powerful lessons about complexity of our world – beware reductionists
We live in a massively complex world. One we know so little about. Unintended consequences of mankind's actions are everywhere. Yet arrogant ignorance prevents us from learning from these mistakes. No wonder Socrates taught wisdom starts with understanding that "I know nothing".
The danger of reductionism (superficial simplification) is a point Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson repeats so often in his bestselling books it's now burnt into my subconscious. A good thing. Once reductionist scales have been removed, the world is a different place.
Reactions to the Covid-19 pandemic offer the best contemporary example. Hardly anyone I know hasn't lost loved ones to the virus. So that overrides their approach to the deadly virus. The opposing camp contains those who believe as Covid-19 "only" kills 3% of the infected the overwhelming evidence supporting vaccination is a conspiracy and best ignored.
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