Does Science Make People Arrogant? The Surprising Connection Between Knowledge and Humility

Eli asks: "Does studying science make people more arrogant? In other words, does scientific knowledge of the world lead to pride? If so, how can knowledge of God’s creation lead to arrogance?"

* * *

Hello Eli, and thank you for your thoughtful question.

The truth is actually the opposite. The deeper a person studies science today, the more he should be led to humility in the face of the vast wisdom of creation. As the book of Job says: “He does great things beyond searching out, wonders without number” (Job 5:9).

Ironically, arrogance has become more childish in our times precisely because modern science has revealed such breathtaking wisdom in creation that no scientist’s tools can ever fully contain it. Of course, there are people whose bad character leads them to boast of the tiny fragment of knowledge they have acquired. In truth however, science should inspire any honest observer toward humility and awe.

Maimonides (the Rambam) wrote it beautifully: "How does one come to love and fear God? When a person contemplates His wondrous works and creations, and perceives in them wisdom that has no measure or end — immediately he loves, praises, glorifies, and longs with a great desire to know the great Name. But when he reflects on these same things, he immediately recoils, feels awe and fear, and knows that he is a small, dark, insignificant creature, standing with limited understanding before the One of perfect knowledge… As David said: ‘When I behold Your heavens… what is man that You should remember him?’" (Mishneh Torah, Yesodei HaTorah, Ch. 2).

The Explosion of Knowledge

In the 16th century, an educated person could realistically master all the scientific and philosophical knowledge of the time. Today however, human knowledge has expanded so greatly that no one person can possibly grasp even a fraction of it.

It is simply impossible for one individual to be a physicist, chemist, biologist, brain surgeon, cosmologist, psychologist, sociologist, software developer, robotics engineer, car mechanic, airplane mechanic, architect, historian, geologist, paleontologist, linguist, and dentist, all at once. Even within one narrow field, experts struggle to keep up with the constant branching and specialization.

This reality forces humility. A brilliant scientist in one field may be completely ignorant in another. Even within their specialty, they must admit there are countless mysteries unsolved, and that future discoveries may overturn what they currently believe. More than in any other era of history, humanity today is being taught a crucial lesson in humility.

In ancient Greece or the Middle Ages, a philosopher could imagine he had grasped “all there is to know.” But modern science has revealed otherwise. Consider the computer, for example. No single individual could invent or build a modern computer alone. It takes thousands of minds working together. The human brain, which is far more complex than any machine, contains more neurons than stars in a galaxy. Even the smallest living cell is more intricate than an entire city. Science progresses only through shared effort, each researcher adding a small piece to the infinite puzzle of creation.

Science as a Lesson in Divine Infinity

Why is it impossible for one human mind to encompass all sciences? Because God is infinite, and His wisdom is limitless — beyond the grasp of even millions of great minds.

Just as science has no boundaries, so too spiritual knowledge has no limits. The Torah, as a divine work, is “longer than the earth and broader than the sea” (Job 11:9). Its depth is endless, and each commandment reveals God’s will in countless ways across all times and situations. Science is but a parable teaching us humility before the infinite.

Many Paths, One Root

Just as every scientist is drawn to a different branch of research, every Jew is drawn to a different part of Torah — revealing something unique to the root of his or her soul.

Abraham, Moses, Aaron, David, and Solomon each embodied different qualities:

• Abraham showed extraordinary trust through trials.

• Moses was the most humble of men and brought down the Torah.

• Aaron loved peace and drew people near to it.

• David accepted suffering with love and sang holy songs.

• Solomon was the wisest of all and perfected understanding of Torah.

Each one contributed something irreplaceable. Together, over generations, the righteous built a collective masterpiece: the unfolding revelation of God’s will.

This is why the sages taught: “Everything a student will one day uncover was already given to Moses at Sinai.” (Midrash Rabbah, Leviticus 22). Just as science requires many disciplines to reveal small glimpses of nature’s truth, so too, Torah study reveals endless dimensions of divine truth, each scholar uncovering a piece destined for him alone.

Science does not lead to arrogance, but should lead to awe and humility. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. Science becomes not a rival to faith but a mirror of it, reminding us of the infinite wisdom of creation and the boundless depth of the Torah.