Torin's Analysis of "Zeal Without Knowledge"

In his article Zeal Without Knowledge, Hugh Nibley conveys his knowledge of the importance of both zeal and knowledge with much zeal. Dr. Nibley mostly relies on logic to effectively express his view that knowledge is extremely important and zeal is crucial for knowledge and to convince us that we must pursue obtaining both of these attributes. He backs up this logic through the use of many analogies and examples.

The first instance of analogy occurs when Dr. Nibley is explaining the idea that the human brain can only concentrate on one thing at a time. He compares this to wearing a pair of glasses with two differently shaded lenses. He explains that instead of seeing a blend of the two colors we see the two colors flashing, first one then the other. This analogy helps us to realize how limited our concentration is. This idea helps to set up the basis of Dr. Nibley’s argument, because, as he pointed out, if we were able to see things from a larger perspective we would see things more clearly and there would be no reason to have to search for some knowledge.

Dr. Nibley’s next step is to explain why we have this limitation in the first place. For this, he uses the example of the guilt we feel when we sit down to watch TV. He explains that this limitation is essential to our mortality. Without it there would be fewer decisions to be made. It is so we can pick the most important things, and is the reason we feel that guilt while watching TV. This starts to explain Dr. Nibley’s argument that we should search after knowledge because we have been told that it is one of the most important things.

Yet another analogy that Dr. Nibley uses is the comparison of the brain to the body. He explains that just as the body needs to be continually filled with food, the brain needs to be constantly filled with knowledge. After going without food for a period of time, the body will begin to crave it. Similarly the brain will start to crave new information, and if it doesn’t get it, as Dr. Nibley explains “the mind will do anything to escape [this state]; in particular, it will invent knowledge if it has to.” This further explains the need to continually seek after knowledge.

Dr. Nibley next compares zeal to an engine. He explains that it is the force that drives us. “Without it” he says “we would get nowhere.” He then goes on to compare knowledge to the clutch, throttle, breaks, and steering wheel. Without those key items we cannot give direction to the force we are applying. Our engine becomes useless, or even destructive. Without knowledge, what good is our zeal? Zeal in ignorance can only lead where we do not want to go. This example helps Dr. Nibley describe the extreme importance of zeal, but also explain how it becomes counterproductive without knowledge.

Dr. Nibley continues by comparing zeal to energy. Through nuclear power, we have unlimited energy. However, we still lack the information needed to use and control it. As Dr. Nibley puts it, “we have the zeal but not the knowledge. Dr. Nibley uses this to show what potential we have if only we strive after knowledge to go along with our zeal. When there is so much to gain, this helps people realize the importance of this task.

Using these arguments, Dr. Nibley effectively tries to persuade people of the importance of knowledge and zeal. Without knowledge, zeal is misguided and can take you in the wrong direction. Without zeal, knowledge can’t effectively be applied to situations. Dr. Nibley’s knowledge is clearly and persuasively conveyed, and it is clear that he wrote this paper with much zeal.