Thoughts on Uncertainty

Certainty versus uncertainty: Love is certain

If there is one thing that we can be certain about in the lives of human beings, it is uncertainty. Everyone has a degree of uncertainty. No one is exempt from that phenomenon. Exactly the same thing may be said about certainty. Everyone has some degree of certainty in their lives, as well.

So, we have both certainty and uncertainty. At times, it comes down to certainty versus uncertainty. Which one is correct? What does it mean to be certain or uncertain about something?

A pessimist will argue that something is uncertain, like the question of life after death. An optimist might argue that life after death is certain. Who is right?

It would appear to be related to one's subjective perception, in this instance. Obviously, the pessimist and the optimist do not see or perceive the same way, in terms of their own subjectivity. Do they need to see the same way? Or, is there something wonderful in our world that allows room for opposing subjective perceptions?

A person's objective perception plays a distinct role in the question of certainty versus uncertainty. Objective perception can differ from one individual to another. For example, one person states that he saw a blue car leaving the scene of an accident. He is certain. Another person states that the car was not blue, but green. He is certain too. Who is right?

Then, one has to take into consideration the degree of certainty or uncertainty and the question as to whether or not a person is totally certain, or only partly certain about something. On a scale of one to a hundred, is the certainty fixed at five, fifteen, fifty five or one hundred percent. Anything less than one hundred percent certainty could be regarded as uncertainty, by some.

"I am one hundred percent convinced that what I know about that subject is right."

"I am only about twenty five percent certain that what I know about that subject is right. There may be some variables that I have not taken into consideration yet."

Then, there is the proof that offers further certainty or the lack thereof, which leads to uncertainty. Sifting all of the evidence becomes important in ascertaining whether something is certain. If there is a lack of proof, then how can something be certain?

Herein enters the realm of faith.

Use love as an example. One thing that we know for certain is that there is love, in our world. We may not be able to touch it or to feel it all of the time, but by faith, we can know or be certain that it does exist.

Love is very abstract and complex. Is it possible to concretize it, so that we can have absolute certainty? If we don't have absolute certainty, is it then uncertain, at least to a degree?

We look closely at our perception of love, how we discern it, what we have been taught about it or know instinctively about it. We tear apart all of the uncertainty to the best of our abilities. Lining up all of the facts, the proofs, the manifestations, every piece of evidence that we can possibly find, does not negate it.

If anything, it re-enforces the concept, as a reality. Love is certain. That idea is fixed in our minds. We make a judgment, come to a conclusion and face a reality that the existence of love cannot be denied. Weighing every argument to the contrary, we can only conclude that love exists.

But, has it been proven to be true? Perhaps the pessimist may still argue against it. Maybe the person who saw the car in a different color will insist on another shade of gray or two, in his or her discernment.

Is it one hundred percent pure love or true love? Or, is it at best imperfect love? If it is imperfect love, is love then still certain? Or, is it uncertain?

How reliable is the source? Is it one hundred percent reliable or has it been colored, in some way? Is it totally indisputable, or are there reasonable arguments to suggest evidence to the contrary?

If one argues that faith is not something that needs to be proven, then believing in the certainty of love should be sufficient. But, if it has to be proven, then the skeptic may wind up searching forever for his or her proof. Uncertainty always has an element of doubt.

Is love fact or fiction? Is it a reality versus a non-reality?

The debate about certainty versus uncertainty is something that will always keep us inquiring further. 

Love is certain.