Negativity of Doubt vS. Security of Certainty

Certainty Vs. Doubt

Does certainty actually provide security, or does it set one for failure? Does doubt cause negativity or does it prepare one for the future? The idea whether certainty or doubt causes the fulfillment of dreams, goals and the future as questioned many. Certainty creates security and assurances, but is anything certain? Nothing in the world is ever certain; one’s world can be flipped upside down in the matters of days, hours, minutes and even a split of a second. Unlike certainty, doubt allows one to know there is a chance that the odds are against one. William Lyon Phelps supports certainty as a factor for success, while Bertrand Russell favors doubt because it creates comfort and prepares one for reality. Using personal knowledge and historical evidence, Bertrand Russell’s idea that doubt creates possibilities and hard work is valid, while William Lyon Phelps claims the opposite, that certainty creates success.

Certainty creates safety, however it also causes one to be unprepared for the future. Many might say that certainty creates confidence, but that is the problem: too much confidence. Overconfidence blinds one from the truth, it tricks one to think that something will certainly happen. Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby was certain that Daisy loved him and would leave her husband, Tom, for him. Gatsby used his certainty as a protector and reassurance. However, when Daisy could not bring herself to tell Tom that she wanted to leave him for Gatsby; Gatsby was surprised and disappointed. He was visionless by certainty; his over-confidence and certainty caused him to self-destruct and lose his identity. He wasn’t prepared to deal with Daisy’s actions; he was certain that she would leave Tom. As Gatsby illust...

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...d motivates one to work harder and harder to beat the chances and be accepted to one’s favored college. Doubt prepares one for the possibility that anything could happen and reality. Hard work, facing the truth and preparedness for the future is created as a result of doubt.

In conclusion, doubt has been questioned whether it helps or harms one and his/her future. Phelps supports the idea that certainty is required for accomplishment, while Russell claims that doubt is a basic necessity for success. Certainty creates overconfidence and a lack of motivation, while doubt results in determination, hard work and prepares one for the truth and future. Without doubt, many like the crew of Apollo 13 and Eliza Doolittle would not be able to accomplish their tasks and dreams. Nothing is ever certain, but doubt is certainly important in fulfilling one’s goals and ambitions.