This central part of existence called vision is critical in the establishment of theories and purpose for human endeavor and exploration. Thomas Sowell writes about the importance of vision for the human being. However, one must also recognize that the fact component and scientific method must be present in order to validate the vision.
Sowell grants a substantial amount of importance to vision as an idea or a plan to meet an end that is fully necessary within a society. He writes that visions are the foundations by which theories are formed. However necessary it is for the individual to possess a vision, one must also possess the other components that allow for a functional framework in which this vision can meet its end without creating unintended consequences. This framework must encompass both logic and hard facts by which the individual is able to then test the vision for efficacy and possible alternative implications.
An example that Sowell provides to illustrate how these consequences can come about is that of the social vision. Social visions are often comprised of competing assumptions that derive from one vision. Take foreign aid for example, where a Western government will provide malaria nets to an African village. Often, when a social end is carried out, the altruisitc nature of the social vision can cloud judgement as to whether or not the end will be achievable based on the rational framework discussed above. To illustrate this point, one should note that the African villagers actually used these nets for the purpose of fishing instead of protecting oneself from Malaria. As one can see, it is often the case that social visions of welfare improvement can sometimes result in alternative outcomes that can be destructive to the very individuals that act was intended to serve. This example is illustrious to this notion of the knowledge problem, where a centralized force of power enacts rules or acts of aid while lacking the necessary knowledge to attain the end with efficacy. Food for thought, when considering public policy and its effectiveness within the greater society.
