Which is better to do when you don't really know something?

[Akureyri]

Which is better to do when you don't really know something?

A) To admit you don't know
B) To pretend you know - even though you don't know

 

[Willie T]

Uh, how about #3, find out?

 

[Scott1979]

If the need to know is urgent and you don't know then just say that. Otherwise I would say try to find out what you don't know.

 

[Akureyri]

Uh, how about #3, find out?

I guess we need to rephrase the question for you:

Among the following two, which is the better thing to do when you don't really know something?
A) To admit you don't know
B) To pretend you know - even though you don't know

 

[Akureyri]

If the need to know is urgent and you don't know then just say that. Otherwise I would say try to find out what you don't know.

Please go back and read the question again.

I'm not asking if finding out is a good thing to do when you don't know something.

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

Honesty is the best policy. What more do you need to know, or are you simply being rhetorical in this thread?

 

[parsley]

What?
#3, look it up.

 

[Scott1979]

Please go back and read the question again.

I'm not asking if finding out is a good thing to do when you don't know something.

Your question is answered in the first half of my statement.

 

[Observer]

I think it really depends on the situation. In some situations, it's best for you and other people if you admit you're wrong. You shouldn't argue a point that you don't really know is correct or not.

In certain situations, it may be best to retreat before saying anything, and go and learn the facts if that's possible, before you speak. You don't want to admit you're wrong in some cases, until you're 100% sure.

I'm not really sure if that makes sense.

For example, I wouldn't say to a patient, "I have NO idea what's wrong with you!!!" or "Well my diagnosis is totally wrong", you'd approach it more like... some of your signs/symptoms suggest you could have another diagnosis.

There are just some situations where you can't really be sure whether something is 100% right or wrong, until time passes, until you learn more, etc.

 

[parsley]

Entertaining question, for sure.

 

[TheJust]

Which is better to do when you don't really know something?

A) To admit you don't know
B) To pretend you know - even though you don't know

You only need to admit to yourself that you know nothing. If you're worried about people around you, realize that they know nothing either. Honesty is important.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9