"important fourth category: unknown knowns, the things we don't know that we know. This category encompasses the knowledge of many of our own personal beliefs, what I call unquestioned defaults."

I like your observation of unknown knowns and that you refer to them as unquestioned beliefs. I'm happy to be made aware of this way of saying what I have been calling basic beliefs. My current conclusion is that knowing is like a double edged sword in that knowing can and often does block our ability to incorporate extensions to our knowledge. I don't know who said "all that I know is that I know nothing" but perhaps this is a more helpful position to be in if you desire intellectual growth.

One of my current interests is in the place where science and spirituality meet. It seems to me that acceptance and the incorporation of new scientific evidence is derailed, unconsciously due to our holding on to outdated basic beliefs or unquestioned beliefs as you refer to them. For instance, scientific evidence leads me to suspect that not only is the Earth alive, but that we are part of the input and output receptors that have evolved toward increasing planetary consciousness. Perhaps, our planet mediates what I think is the one consciousness of "all there is." When an unquestioned limiting belief holds people to world views formulated perhaps over 6,000 years ago, great problems may result.

In conclusion, holding onto a belief that only humans have consciousness and that our life on Earth is relatively unimportant compared to an eternity sitting at the right hand side of God is leading to a tragic series of planetary destructive actions.

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