There Are Known Knowns And Known Unknowns Quote
The phrase "known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns" was popularized by former United States Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. The quote was made during a press briefing in 2002, while he was discussing the lack of evidence linking the government of Iraq with the supply of weapons of mass destruction to terrorist groups.
Known Knowns
Known knowns are facts that we know to be true. In other words, these are things that we know that we know. For example, we know that the Earth revolves around the sun, we know that water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius, and we know that the capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. These are all known knowns because they are established facts that we have knowledge about.
Known Unknowns
Known unknowns are things that we know we don't know. These are facts that we are aware of, but we don't have enough information to understand them fully. For example, we know that there is life on other planets, but we don't know what that life looks like or what their level of intelligence may be. Another example of a known unknown is the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease. We know that it exists, but we don't fully understand what causes it.
Unknown Unknowns
Unknown unknowns are facts that we don't know that we don't know. These are things that are completely outside of our realm of knowledge. For example, before the discovery of the microscope, people didn't know that bacteria existed. They didn't even know that there was something to discover. Another example of an unknown unknown could be a new disease that has never been seen before. We don't know that it exists, so we can't even begin to study it.
Implications of the Quote
The quote "known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns" has become famous because it highlights the importance of understanding what we know and what we don't know. It reminds us that there are limits to our knowledge and that we need to be aware of these limits. This is particularly relevant in fields such as science and medicine, where new discoveries are being made all the time.
By acknowledging the existence of known unknowns and unknown unknowns, we are reminded that there is always more to learn. This can help us to be more open-minded and flexible in our thinking. It can also encourage us to seek out new knowledge and to be constantly curious about the world around us.
Conclusion
The quote "known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns" is a reminder of the limits of our knowledge. It highlights the importance of being aware of what we know and what we don't know. By acknowledging these limits, we can be more open-minded and flexible in our thinking, and we can be more curious about the world around us. This is particularly relevant in fields such as science and medicine, where new discoveries are being made all the time.