Feynman: The Difficulty

Although the title of the following video is "Richard Feynman on Social Sciences," I would like to focus on the point he makes about knowledge, which begins at 1:12.



One of the most important assets I have gained from my seven years in yeshiva is a realistic sense of how much work is necessary to arrive at a good sevara (abstract theory). Admittedly, I do not always heed this sense to the extent that I should, but it is there, and guides my thinking every day.

This video reminded me of a passage from Rabbeinu Yonah's commentary on Mishlei. I know this is not usually my style, but I'm going to simply present the words of Rabbeinu Yonah without commenting on them or explaining them. I'd like to let Rabbeinu Yonah speak for himself. The pasuk on which he is commenting says, "One who is slow to anger is of great understanding, but one who is hasty of spirit elevates folly" (Mishlei 14:29):

"Slowness to anger" refers to someone who controls his anger and doesn't take revenge at the time of his wrath until after he settles his mind and considers the proper course of action. From this trait a person can attain great understanding. It is impossible for a person who is hasty of spirit to succeed in analytical thinking. He will seize the first idea that appeals to him, and he will not be able to dwell on the idea to examine it from all analytical angles in order to determine whether anything might undermine it, until he reaches a theory which is firm and carefully considered. This habit will only be found in a patient person, and one who is slow to anger is a patient person.

Furthermore, when this non-chacham thinks he has found a solution, but his friend points out a difficulty with it, he will have a hard time accepting this. He will brush aside his friend's argument in favor of his own; he will not have the patience to weigh the validity of his friend's argument, nor will he be willing to admit to the truth. We see from here that the same disposition that gives rise to the virtue of slowness to anger also helps a person to attain great understanding.

Furthermore, when an impatient person hears something which, at first glance, appears to be irrational and does not pass the test of a hasty analysis, he will cease thinking about it and will abandon it. One who has great understanding, on the other hand, will listen attentively until he analyzes and understands the words and statements of his friend; sometimes, at the end of the analysis, he will find the matter acceptable to his mind.

Feyman's principle might be easy to understand, but it is difficult to integrate into one's own learning.

I'm thinking about starting a series called "Feyman Fridays" - at least, for the remainder of the summer. Every Friday I'll post a Feynman video, quotation, or anecdote to discuss. How does that sound?