Doubt
In science, art, politics -to name a few examples- doubt plays an important role. In all areas: for example, about the upcoming elections many voters will still be in doubt. Politicians themselves are not so doubtful. What struck again during the culture debate at the beginning of this year was the lack of doubt when the Minister of OCW, Jet Bussemaker, defends her policy. Completely certain she seems to be of the policy choices that have been set out. I am then always overcome by curiosity about the struggles and doubts that preceded this certainty. And are there still doubts? Would she never think during a debate, "Did I do the right thing?", or afterwards, when the policy has left its imprint?
There is often something exasperating about the certainty that ministers exude. Why is this and that line the best option? The defense of a position often leaves much to be desired, and hasn't it been shown often enough that ministers are just as often wrong as ordinary people who have to make do without a host of advisors? But a minister's radiated certainty seems, in the public domain, to be more important than the doubts that preceded the demonstrated certainty: self-assurance inspires confidence and leaves little room for maneuver.
Can showing doubt also inspire confidence? Since the 17th century philosopher René Descartes, doubt has referred to a process, to reflection. Doubt is the beginning of wisdom: dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am). In science and in art, doubt is still embraced today.
Because in conviction you exclude all other possibilities. Artists need doubt to move forward. Doubt as an engine to explore and create, to arrive at extraordinary thoughts and to experiment. Doubt as a necessary part of creation, and doubt that leads to challenge and thus perhaps to openness to other ideas about how the world, reality, can be seen and thought of differently.
There is doubt in the process prior to making new work and again afterwards, when the work is shown. The moment the choice for the new work to be made is made, it is better to forget all doubt for a moment. Just as Bussemaker confidently presents her policy, the artist confidently begins the new work. Thank goodness for that.
The Provincial Council elections next March 18 are not insignificant for the arts and perhaps for the room for doubt it has been given in the future.
In election periods, we - the voters - are beset by doubt. Doubt about whether or not to vote and, if so, doubt about what and whom to elect. Campaigners capitalize on this doubt and bombard us with certainties and promises. We chew on all the information for a while and then - hopefully confidently - strike in the voting booth, only to walk out the door again in despair and think "Did I do the right thing?"
We shall see.
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