Certainty Versus Doubt
John Dupon
Mr. Hill
AP English 11
September 12, 2013
Certainty & Doubt Behind every risk of decision made, or that will ever be made, lies certain varying degrees of certainty and doubt; the individual must decide based on the situation. However, in relation to both short term and long term activities, people should not act with a high degree of certainty, but rather act with a sensible, if not a considerable amount of doubt. In fact, the masses should act with a heavier amount of doubt, and a minuscule amount of certainty; either to save themselves from excessive pretension, or for the safety of themselves and those around them. People with excessive pretension often set themselves up for failure and consequent humiliation because they act with a high degree of certainty when facing the unknown. Educator and Professor William Lyon Phelps was wrong when he stated “…then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things other people are certain are impossible” (Phelps). Professor Phelps was wrong, because science, math, and various other studies are constantly used to create the boundaries of what can and cannot happen, and what is and is not possible. An example of excessive pretension, a negligent amount of doubt, and a counter example of the misguided Professor Phelps can be seen through the colonization of the United States. Britain had grown envious of the Spanish acquisition of South America, and their success with mining precious metals from the earth; subsequently the English noble-elite had spent fortunes of their own money and sent over countless people over to “The New World” in hopes of finding gold and silver. Unfortunately for them, there was no gold or in Jamestown, New England, Roanoke, or Plymouth. Those entrepreneurs spent fortunes and wasted lives on a gamble, had they acted with a tad bit more of common sense, or doubt, they may not have been made out to be such fools back home. As far as the relationship
Mr. Hill
AP English 11
September 12, 2013
Certainty & Doubt Behind every risk of decision made, or that will ever be made, lies certain varying degrees of certainty and doubt; the individual must decide based on the situation. However, in relation to both short term and long term activities, people should not act with a high degree of certainty, but rather act with a sensible, if not a considerable amount of doubt. In fact, the masses should act with a heavier amount of doubt, and a minuscule amount of certainty; either to save themselves from excessive pretension, or for the safety of themselves and those around them. People with excessive pretension often set themselves up for failure and consequent humiliation because they act with a high degree of certainty when facing the unknown. Educator and Professor William Lyon Phelps was wrong when he stated “…then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things other people are certain are impossible” (Phelps). Professor Phelps was wrong, because science, math, and various other studies are constantly used to create the boundaries of what can and cannot happen, and what is and is not possible. An example of excessive pretension, a negligent amount of doubt, and a counter example of the misguided Professor Phelps can be seen through the colonization of the United States. Britain had grown envious of the Spanish acquisition of South America, and their success with mining precious metals from the earth; subsequently the English noble-elite had spent fortunes of their own money and sent over countless people over to “The New World” in hopes of finding gold and silver. Unfortunately for them, there was no gold or in Jamestown, New England, Roanoke, or Plymouth. Those entrepreneurs spent fortunes and wasted lives on a gamble, had they acted with a tad bit more of common sense, or doubt, they may not have been made out to be such fools back home. As far as the relationship