This quote suggests that the act of seeking an description often involves replacing one form of ambiguity or uncertainty with another. In other words, when we ask for an explanation, we are often trying to make sense of something obscure by using something else that is equally obscure. This can imply a circular reasoning or paradox were our understanding becomes a cycle of explanations without reaching a concrete conclusion.
Consider the exmaple of explaining emotions like love or sadness. When asked what love is, one might say it’s a strong affectionate feeling towards someone. But what does ‘strong affectionate feeling’ mean? It only leads to more questions and more explanations which are just as vague as the initial concept.
In terms of personal progress and in today’s world, this quote can be seen as highlighting the importance of critical thinking and self-awareness. Rather of accepting explanations at face value, it encourages us to question further and understand that every explanation may not lead to clarity but instead open up new areas for exploration and understanding.
As a notable example, in our quest for personal growth, we may seek advice from various sources – books, mentors or online platforms.However, each piece advice can be seen as ‘the more obscure’ because its effectiveness depends on individual interpretation and application which might vary greatly from person to person.
Moreover in today’s digital age where information overload is common place; fake news spread easily; scientific findings can be contradictory; political statements coudl be manipulative – this idea serves as reminder that not all explanations serve to clarify but could possibly add on layers upon layers of obscurity.
Thus while seeking answers is crucial for progress both individually and societally; it’s crucial also recognizing the potential obscurity within these answers/explanations themselves thereby cultivating an attitude towards constant learning rather than settling on seemingly clear-cut answers.
