New Delhi, May 11 -- "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

This is not a cynical observation from a bitter man. It comes from one of the 20th century's greatest mathematical minds. Russell spent decades carefully thinking about knowledge, certainty, and human reasoning. He earned the right to say this. And he meant every word of it.

The quote sets up a painful paradox. The people most confident in their views are often least qualified to hold them. The people most qualified to lead are often paralysed by their own uncertainty. The world, as a result, is repeatedly handed to the wrong people.

Certainty feels like strength....