This inspiring quote, “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.“, is attributed to Stephen Hawking, the renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist known for his groundbreaking work on black holes and relativity. While there’s some debate over whether he coined this exact phrase, it captures an essential truth about human understanding.
The quote emphasises that false confidence in what we think we know can prevent us from seeking further understanding or recognizing our errors. Unlike ignorance—which can be remedied by learning—the “illusion of knowledge” can trap us in complacency, making it harder to grow intellectually.
Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) was a British scientist celebrated for his contributions to theoretical physics, particularly the nature of black holes. His book A Brief History of Time made complex scientific ideas accessible to millions, inspiring curiosity about the universe.
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