“The future of civilization is unknowable, because the knowledge that is going to affect it has yet to be created. Hence the possible outcomes are not yet known, let alone their probabilities.” (Deutsch, The Beginning of Infinity)

 

In The Beginning of Infinity, David Deutsch touches upon the very essence of the principle of uncertainty in its social science form. The present state of epistemological optimism has not been, and could not have been, predicted by earlier philosophers (at least, with considerable accuracy), because of the ever changing world and ever intellectually maturing humankind. Considering the yet accelerating rates of progress, it is even less possible to make a reasonable and plausible prediction regarding the form that the pursuit of knowledge will take in the nearest future.

 

At the same time, seeing the current trend of unification of the previously distinct areas of study, we may infer that the same tendency will continue to merge various areas of knowledge into a coherent framework of shared intellectual treasure.

 

The key word here, however, is ‘shared’. Sharing the acquired knowledge is essential to its survival; without an established continuous flow of information, knowledge will cease to exist. The tragedies of lost knowledge can be observed on both smaller and larger scales: from forgotten family secrets of bakery, to dead languages and indigenous tribal cultures that are vanishing from the rapidly modernizing world.

 

 

Therefore, the main task for the future epistemological optimists will be to ensure that:

1. The shared knowledge is accessible;

2. There is a continuous, uninterrupted flow of information;

3. Everyone will get a chance to contribute to this common intellectual resource.