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Ever since the beginning of modern science, the best minds have recognized that 'the range of acknowledged ignorance will grow with the advance of science.' 'In science the more we know, the more extensive the contact with nescience.' Unfortunately, the popular effect of this scientific advance has been a belief, seemingly shared by many scientists, that the range of our ignorance is steadily diminishing and that we can therefore aim at more comprehensive and deliberate control of all human activities. It is for this reason that those intoxicated by the advance of knowledge so often become the enemies of freedom...The more men know, the smaller the share of all that knowledge becomes that any one mind can absorb. The more civilized we become, the more relatively ignorant must each individual be of the facts on which the working of his civilization depends.

Friedrich Hayek#53

FreedomKnowledgeScienceIgnorance

About this quote

What does it mean?
Hayek explains that science increases acknowledged ignorance; believing knowledge allows total control is dangerous and makes experts enemies of freedom.
In plain terms
Science shows us more of what we don't know; trying to control everything is a dangerous mistake.
What can you take from it?
More knowledge reveals more ignorance, making total control impossible.

Where it applies

  • scientific policy
  • research strategy
  • public education

Putting it to work

  • accept limits of knowledge
  • avoid technocratic control

Questions to consider

  • How do we act knowing we can't control everything?
  • Does progress make us more or less free?

Another view

This view might discourage useful scientific interventions.

More from Friedrich Hayek

  1. If we are to understand how society works, we must attempt to define the general nature and range of our ignorance concerning it.

    Permalink to quote #52
  2. The case for individual freedom rests chiefly on the recognition of the inevitable and universal ignorance of all of us concerning a great many of the factors …

    Permalink to quote #54
  3. It is largely because civilization enables us constantly to profit from knowledge which we individually do not possess and because each individual's use of his…

    Permalink to quote #51

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