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Illusion Of Knowledge In George Orwell's Book 1984

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“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge” - Stephen Hawking. People tend to believe they know more than they really do. They turn to the news, books, music, or even art to learn about the world surrounding them. What people don’t understand is everything you learn from the media is being told by another person just like yourself. Someone with feelings and emotions and most likely a different opinion and agenda than most people. Can people truly trust the sources they are given? In George Orwell’s book 1984, the citizen’s in Oceania are given this illusion of knowledge in order to leave them ignorant of what is truly happening around them and instill a common enemy and we can see this happening in The United States today. They can not trust their sources, so can we? In 1984’s dystopian society The Party control’s all information given to the public. They have the power to alter the past, future and present. “The Party said that Oceania had never been in alliance with Eurasia. He, Winston Smith, knew that Oceania had been in alliance with Eurasia as short a time as four years ago. But where did that knowledge exist? Only in his own consciousness, which in any case must soon be annihilated.”(Orwell). …show more content…

Throughout 1984 we see this illusion of knowledge and how this has affected the people of Oceania. Having the illusion makes it easier to manipulate and have control over people's thoughts and emotions. Controlling media outlets and installing common enemies is something that The United States does today. Through Operation Northwoods we see both controlling information and common enemies. In both The United States today and Oceania depriving knowledge is the best way to control the

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