The Power of Perfect Knowledge

If knowledge is power, and it certainly is, then perfect knowledge is perfect power. That means that if you had perfect knowledge (i.e. you were omniscient) then you could move not just mountains, but entire galaxies by simply changing the spin of a single subatomic particle at the right point in time (i.e. say, a billionth of a second after the big bang). But, you could also determine the direction an ant chooses in a quest for food in a similar manner. Or, the choice a man makes in any point in time would also be yours to determine far far before that man ever becomes aware of his choices, and even if he never becomes aware of it.

This is an interesting philosophical point, but it raises an even more intriguing and important question: if perfect knowledge is perfect power, then what is power in the absence of perfect knowledge?

Think about it. The implications are astounding. We typically assume that we have the "power" to manipulate other people (by force or persuasion for example) as well as our environment. But, without perfect knowledge, do we? Do we even have power over our own lives, or the choices we make moment to moment? According to the principle of perfect knowledge all the power and control we posses and fight so desperately for all our lives is only an illusion of power and not real at all.

I think John Lennon would say, "Imagine that".

(J.D. 12-29-13)