IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25796, 6 May 1949, Page 6

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE

IMPARTIALITY AND OBJECTIVITY

RECTOR’S ADVICE TO GRADUATES

“One thing you must not forget—that is the importance of knowledge, the importance of finding out the facts.” the rector (Dr. H. R. Hulme) told graduating students of Canterbury University College yesterday. “Many things—all the most worth-while ones will always remain a matter of opinion; but let your opinion be based on a knowledge of the relevant facts. Don’t rush in to state your views with all lhe conviction of ignorance. There are some people who are always ready to express dogmatic views on art, politics, social problems, religion, and a multitude of other important topics, and frequently the most charitable thing one can say about these views is that they are unbiassed by any knowledge of the facts. Don’t be like that.

“But knowledge just of facts is not by any means the whole part of wisdom,” said Dr. Hulme. “I have known some very clever people, whose opinions on general matters I wouldn’t trust at all, because they were too dominated by their personal or parochial prejudices. They couldn’t take an impartial view or even see the other fellow's point of view. “If we only belipve what we want to believe, what is comforting to our sense of importance, or what fits in with our present views, then, however much knowledge we acquire, we will never be able to use it effectively or wisely.

“Impartiality and objectivity are difficult things to teach. I think they grow by contact with mature minds, by discussion inside and outside the classroom, and. above all, by living in an atmosphere where truth and knowledge are held in high regard. Our college can give these to its students in small measure only; but we are looking to the day when we shall have enough staff to give our students much more personal attention, and the day when we shall have mor? halls of residence and more places where students can Rneet and educate each other outside the lecture room. “Daring and wisdom are not norfhally associated. In fact, they are freauently imagined as being opposites. Wisdom very often involves the sacrifice of some obvious and immediate advantage for a far greater, but sometimes more problematical, advantage in the future. Jn fact, it involves a risk. Those who are long-sighted, who are prepared to sacrifice the present for the future, will often be unpopular. and their advice unpalatable. That is perhaps why the motto of our university is ‘sapere aude’ and not just ‘sapere.’ ”