There is no replacing knowledge on hand.

Modernity has instilled an implicit belief: all knowledge is at our fingertips. A small leap from there is that there is, therefore, no need to have knowledge integrated into our own minds.

Why know something intimately when you can look it up and read it off?

I'll tell you why. There is no replacing human-to-human conversation. The examination of ideas, the challenging of what we believe, is best tested in real time. Articulation and sharing are the ultimate tests of understanding. Being able to recall and recognize information is one level of understanding. Being able to share and teach it is the highest level of understanding.

When we are in conversations, whether with loved ones or strangers, ideas emerge. What happens when ideas are ignorant, misleading, or dangerous? We can argue, but unless we have the tools of understanding to comprehend each other's points of view and guide one another, arguments lead only to conflict and entrenchment of initially held beliefs.

We have ancient tools for this. The Socratic Method may be the finest among them.

Recent conversations with family have highlighted this need for on-hand intellect and critical thinking to lovingly guide others out of misguided or oversimplified ideas. These conversations have reminded me of the importance not only of understanding but also of the ability to guide others—and ourselves—out of thought traps, groupthink, or other social forces that pigeonhole our thinking.

May we return to these ancient tools, the ones that integrate deeply into our beings.