Mark Lilla on the Power of Ignorance

KQED's Forum

“Aristotle taught that all human beings want to know,” writes Columbia professor of humanities Mark Lilla, adding that “our own experience teaches us that all human beings also want not to know, sometimes fiercely so.” We’ll talk to Lilla about our innate disposition toward ignorance – whether about a political reality or an uncomfortable family secret. Lilla’s new book is “Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know.”

Guests:

Mark Lilla, professor of the humanities, department of history, Columbia University; http://marklilla.com/