Our level of knowledge ultimately makes humans ''the most powerful and successful creature'' on Earth but we need to think critically to overcome the ''downside'' of our reliance on tradition.
That point was made by University of Otago philosopher Emeritus Prof Alan Musgrave in an address to about 240 Otago humanities graduates at the early graduation ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday.
Prof Musgrave told graduates success at university meant ''more than a good meal ticket'', and noted human knowledge set humans apart from other creatures ''more than anything else''. Some animals were bigger and stronger but humans knew how to dominate them all.
''Knowledge is power and human knowledge makes us the most powerful and the most dangerous critter on the planet.''
Most of what people knew had been learnt from parents, families, friends and teachers and ''our chief source of knowledge'' was other people and tradition.
But there was a ''downside'' to tradition, because teachers could ''get it wrong''.
It was now widely accepted Earth was round, not flat, and that people needed oxygen to say alive, and this was contained in the air surrounding us.
But, for ''most of recorded human history'' the young had been taught beliefs that were ''quite at odds'' with these more modern views.
Prof Musgrave also warned against the damage caused by over dogmatic thinking, in religion and other topics.
Such approaches, particularly involving religion, had resulted in witch hunts, and continued to cause the damaging persecution of some people held to be ''non believers''.
The only potential solution was ''to adopt a critical attitude'', and rely on tradition, but not to regard any traditional teachings as ''certainly or self evidently'' true.
The Otago University motto ''Sapere Aude'' was often translated as ''Dare to be Wise'' but the German philosopher Immanuel Kant had said the expression meant ''Have courage to make use of your own understanding''.
Prof Musgrave said that made more sense and he believed that was what the Scottish founders of Otago University had had in mind when they chose the motto for the university.
Business leader Ian Farrant, of Wanaka, told graduates at the 4pm graduation ceremony his Otago commerce degree had been a ''fantastic launching pad'' for his business career introducing him to ''many outstanding people''.
Mr Farrant received an honorary doctorate in commerce at the ceremony, during which more than 380 people graduated in person, mainly with qualifications in commerce and law, at the town hall.
He emphasised the importance of ethics, teamwork, preparation and self discipline, and of having fun through work.
And he also highlighted the importance of persistence and the need to never give up.
Mr Farrant quoted former United States president Calvin Coolidge, who had said that ''nothing in the world can take the place of persistence''.
''Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.''
And education itself would not suffice, because ''the world is full of educated derelicts'', President Coolidge had said.
