Blue Jay : An Open Question

This is a Blue Jay. Male or female can’t be distinguished without surgery. Contrast it with Northern Cardinals. The male is bright red with a black mask, while the female is dusky rose and subdued. These two species illustrate the challenge of discerning “universal principles” in nature. Put another way, the theory that male birds are brighter in order to attract mates certainly is true in some cases, but it’s just as easy to find a bird like the Blue Jay that disproves the rule. Clearly there must be something else, something additional that is also going on. We have two contradictory theses, from both of which we can learn something.

Talmud is often defined as Jewish law and commentary. But perhaps most striking for new Talmud students, is the record of the Sages’ debate. Yes there are conclusions and accepted norms, but Talmud isn’t just a list. The “losing side” is shown deference and equal consideration. Surely this is intentional, not least to emphasize the value of humility. Both the winning and losing arguments flesh out the complexity of the topics. We subsequent generations are taught not just the conclusions but rather the process - of being open to alternative and even opposing ideas. Questions are more important than answers.

Being a questioning person profits us in two ways. The first, obvious, is that asking questions brings us new knowledge. The second, more subtle, is that questioning avoids the trap of false surety. Questioning keeps open the possibility of learning precisely because we acknowledge we might ourselves be incorrect. Few scientists can match the genius - and the humility! - of Einstein and Feynman. I suggest it is that very humility that allowed them to manifest their natural genius. Both the Blue Jay and Talmudic discourse demonstrate the power of open questioning for both sides of the debate.