If Reason Be Light, And Knowledge The Prism Poem by Raymond Farrell

If reason be light, and knowledge the prism
Regardless, which is which, their combined impact
Has resulted in the creation of every ism
Behind which mankind has committed every vile act.

But, first and foremost, let us accept this fact
Undisputed and maintained in tact
In the beginning there is knowledge
On this basis follows reason
One without the other is intellectual treason
Justhuff, puff and vanity
Merely a paltry inanity.

Reason is not the offspring of excuse
Or an attempt to oversimplify and reduce
Nor can it be objective beyond the facts
Is an instrument, not an agent, when it acts
Knows nothing of primordial causes
This limitation, we must not neglect
Remember, the process is derived from effect
For first comes knowledge, then comes reason.

The sad state of this world, many acknowledge
Is a collision of hatreds - reason without knowledge
Unsubstantiated opinions, unleashed in a senseless rage
Fueled by mindless beliefs at every stage.

Because reasoning is inert and ineffective
Beyond secondary causes, results are defective
If the data is erroneous and obscure
Therefore, reason without knowledge can't endure
Differentiating knowledge from opinion at the start
Could be the rock blocking the way
Or tearing the ship apart
But without so doing, reason will go astray.

Let us caution ourselves before we proceed
We all desire to know - knowledge is a good thing
But having planted the seed
What beneficial fruit can knowledge bring
Unless watered by understanding and wisdom!