Is Ignorance Bliss?

If we could plug into a machine in which we could live our own perfect life, would we? We would be blissfully ignorant of the deficiencies of the world around us. However, by participating in such an experiment, one would be sacrificing their knowledge of the authentic world around us. This is the question asked in Robert Nozick’s “The Experience Machine.” He would argue that the majority would not, for most people treasure greater things than simply pleasure. Nozick uses the example of the machine to disprove the idea of Hedonism, assuming his theory that those who had the opportunity to “plug in” to such a machine would deny it, demonstrating that pleasure is not necessarily the only thing we value. Perhaps one of these things we treasure more for the sake of our own happiness is truth. The reality is, as much as we would enjoy the ultimate pleasure, we acknowledge that such pleasure is not true happiness. Deep down, we wish to be knowledgeable. We want to know that the experiences we have are genuine. Of course there would still be those who choose to plug into such a machine, but could such ignorance lead to true happiness? I would argue against such an idea.

In order to be blissful in their ignorance, one would perhaps have to be ignorant of their ignorance. For in such a state, they know no other way of life. They remain unaware that they are unaware of the world around them. Perhaps in such a state one would truly believe they are knowledgeable. This is similar to the case of the experience machine. However, I would also argue that humans are curious individuals. No matter whether or not one was aware of their ignorance, at some point they would seek it. Wisdom, I would argue, is necessary for true happiness.