Scholarship
This is my scholarship essay. Leave me some comments about it if you want, and let me know what you think. Please be as brutally honest as you can.
A Latin Proverb once stated “Where there is doubt, there is freedom.” To me, the meaning of this is that if a theory, thought, or personal value is free from doubt, it cannot change. Basically, if you can doubt something, such as whether 2+2 = 4 from George Orwell’s 1984, then there is the possibility that it is not true, and is subject to change, henceforth giving it freedom. According to this proverb, it is implied that there is freedom in every thought. Even Solid, mathematical theorems have doubts on their derivations. Take the phenomenon of Gabriel’s Horn, for example. Calculus would tell us that Gabriel’s Horn has an infinite surface area, yet still manages to have a finite volume. However, logic dictates that this is impossibility. From this doubt, mathematicians have the freedom to try and disprove this theorem; thereby making advancements to the math community. This is a benefit to this theorem to the mathematical world. However, there are more than just mathematic applications for this saying.
In the realm of any field of study, this proverb can be used. In fact, in the scientific community, this relation to doubt and freedom has sparked a debate that has been persistent throughout decades: Creationism versus Evolution. Each of these two theories has its doubts, and these are used to build the case for the other side. For Creationism, there is doubt from members of the scientific community as to the existence of a God, and whether He could make people. For Evolution, there are some religious people who can’t believe that people, the most advanced creatures on this planet, came from nothing more than some lightning and methane gas. Both of these theories have their weak points, and it is through the doubt this instills that people receive the freedom to choose what they personally believe in. If either one were to be proven 100% factually correct, the other would be completely expunged from the minds of people. Therefore, its this doubt that is keeping many theories going, and allowing people to choose what appeals to them the most.
In summation, the Latin Proverb “ubi dubium ibi liberalis” holds many implications for everyday life. Even in the modern world, where many antiquated sayings are losing their meaning, this one unexpectedly persists, and still holds meaning for many topics. Between the seemingly concrete mathematical theorems to the age-old question of where we come from, this proverb still holds true for all the facets of our lives. One can only imagine for how long this Latin adage will remain true to our everyday lives, and as far-reaching as it is now, it can be assumed that it will not become obsolete in the coming decade, or even century. It would seem that this aphorism will be around as long as humankind is, and will probably be pertinent for just as long.
A Latin Proverb once stated “Where there is doubt, there is freedom.” To me, the meaning of this is that if a theory, thought, or personal value is free from doubt, it cannot change. Basically, if you can doubt something, such as whether 2+2 = 4 from George Orwell’s 1984, then there is the possibility that it is not true, and is subject to change, henceforth giving it freedom. According to this proverb, it is implied that there is freedom in every thought. Even Solid, mathematical theorems have doubts on their derivations. Take the phenomenon of Gabriel’s Horn, for example. Calculus would tell us that Gabriel’s Horn has an infinite surface area, yet still manages to have a finite volume. However, logic dictates that this is impossibility. From this doubt, mathematicians have the freedom to try and disprove this theorem; thereby making advancements to the math community. This is a benefit to this theorem to the mathematical world. However, there are more than just mathematic applications for this saying.
In the realm of any field of study, this proverb can be used. In fact, in the scientific community, this relation to doubt and freedom has sparked a debate that has been persistent throughout decades: Creationism versus Evolution. Each of these two theories has its doubts, and these are used to build the case for the other side. For Creationism, there is doubt from members of the scientific community as to the existence of a God, and whether He could make people. For Evolution, there are some religious people who can’t believe that people, the most advanced creatures on this planet, came from nothing more than some lightning and methane gas. Both of these theories have their weak points, and it is through the doubt this instills that people receive the freedom to choose what they personally believe in. If either one were to be proven 100% factually correct, the other would be completely expunged from the minds of people. Therefore, its this doubt that is keeping many theories going, and allowing people to choose what appeals to them the most.
In summation, the Latin Proverb “ubi dubium ibi liberalis” holds many implications for everyday life. Even in the modern world, where many antiquated sayings are losing their meaning, this one unexpectedly persists, and still holds meaning for many topics. Between the seemingly concrete mathematical theorems to the age-old question of where we come from, this proverb still holds true for all the facets of our lives. One can only imagine for how long this Latin adage will remain true to our everyday lives, and as far-reaching as it is now, it can be assumed that it will not become obsolete in the coming decade, or even century. It would seem that this aphorism will be around as long as humankind is, and will probably be pertinent for just as long.