The Known, The Unknown, The Unknowable

The Unknown

As we know,
There are known knowns.
There are things we know we know.
We also know
There are known unknowns.
That is to say
We know there are some things
We do not know.
But there are also unknown unknowns,
The ones we don't know
We don't know.

Donald Rumsfeld —Feb. 12, 2002, Department of Defense news briefing
From the Collected Poetry of Donald Rumsfeld, Slate Magazine



He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not
Is a Fool, shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not
Is a Student, teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows
Is Asleep, Wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows
Is a Wise Man, follow him.

Attributions:, Persian Proverb Confucius



Castaneda divides the supersensible world into the unknown and unknowable. The unknown can in principle be known and interaction with it, difficult and frightening as it may be, can be enriching and ultimately invigorating. Cultivating the virtues of the warrior prepares one to face the unknown. Interaction with the unknowable is simply ill-advised and opens the door to dangerous psychic phenomena such as possession.

Cassipaea Glossary



"There are 4 kinds of knowledge:
the known, the unknown, the unknowable,
and the "who gives a shit to know about it"
Don Juan Matus

Simple Life