- Near the
end of the book, while Pangloss was “being hanged, and dissected, and
beaten, and made to row in a galley,” he still holds firm to his original
views that this is the best of all possible worlds. “I am a philosopher
after all. It would not do for me to recant” (p. 88). What are the dangers
in holding beliefs that are impermeable to reality, that do not alter
according to actual experience?
8. It is very dangerous to keep the same ignorant beliefs
after horrible experiences happen because usually those experiences contradict
the beliefs. If you keep the same beliefs you probably didn’t learn anything
from the experience so you will remain ignorant. Remaining ignorant is one of
the worst things that you could do.
I totally agree!!! If you were to believe in Pangloss' theory that "all is for the best" then you would be subject to the ignorance too. Everything you do in life is an experience. Theses experiences help you conquer trials and obstacles in life. For example as a kid if you touch fire you learn that fire is hot so you know the dangers of fire. If you were to believe in the theory of Pangloss you cannot learn that the fire is hot and dangerous and you shouldn't touch it. You would believe that you got burnt from the fire because it was meant to happen and that it was for the best anyways. If the burn was severe and you lost your arm, a believer of Pangloss would say its better that way, that its best if you didn't have your arm and couldn't function like everyone else. Holding these beliefs can be a danger to society and they well-being of others such as genocide, Pangloss would say the killing/torture is for the best. He would not learn that killing innocent people is wrong.
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