The essay knowledge and wisdom
critically examines the present trend of gaining knowledge where the importance
of the wisdom has been lost. Simply having knowledge we cannot extend our level
of wisdom. The time we try to define wisdom in relation to knowledge, it ceases
The
essayist critically examines the modern trend of seeking knowledge does not go
in the same line of wisdom seeking tendency.
He
proposes that the factors that contribute the wisdom are:
1. Sense of proportion.
He views that the development of knowledge
seeking tendency should go in the same level for wisdom. It means the way we
give more preference to knowledge; we must give same preference to wisdom. It
means one should evaluate all possible important factors in problems and their
attachment on the basis of their ground reality of connectivity. However, the
people fail to do so as they give more importance to one particular substance
or matter as the trend of specialized concept emerged in modern society. The
preference given to in particular factor problem is the basic problems to
enhance knowledge in modern society.
2. Comprehensiveness should have certain awareness of the ends of human life:
He further views that comprehensive power
may contribute people to gain wisdom if it is connected with feelings. One has
to aware with the danger of comprehensiveness. It goes in the line of intellect
only. Nevertheless, wisdom should go in the emotion as well. It means the
proper combination of rationality and emotions. There must be proper connection
and handling between mind and psyche.
3. Emancipation from personal
prejudices
The essayist advocates impartial reading
of the world from prejudices in public and private life. He further says that
the things that could be pursued should only be pursued. If it is not
attainable one should not spend the time unnecessarily. It leads to impartial
understanding of different dimension of knowledge to have wisdom,
4. Patience and sufficient persuasiveness for impartiality
The knowledge seeking tendency leads
people to get some hegemony. The egoism of the sense would be with us. It is
very difficult for one to be aloof from our egocentric emotions. The indulgences
with such emotions make people more personal; is the basic obstacles of gaining
wisdom in the present world. This is the basic barriers of modern society to
get wisdom.
After
discussing problems of not gaining wisdom in modern society, the essayist questions
if wisdom can be taught. He answers it in the positive line. However, he cannot
give more stress on it. He believes wisdom can be taught through understanding
but not with hate
He
believes that knowledge needs various time of technical understanding. He views
knowledge is nothing but the facts known by the person. It is gathered in form
of learning and education. It is merely
having clarity of facts and truth.. Knowledge is information of which someone
is aware. It is also used to mean confidant understanding of subject
particularly with ability to use it for specific purpose. It changes in
response to new information. It can be gained through learning education
science reflection and reasoned and logical thought. He exemplifies knowledge
with discoveries of medicine and atomic power. The innovation with medical
science prevents the children from death. However, it creates the problem in
food supply and lowering the standard of life as there is no balance between
resources and population.
Wisdom
is ability to make correct judgments or decisions. Wisdom is the combination of
experience and knowledge with power of applying them. It is an intangible
quality gained through our experience. It can be gained through self-intuition,
and personal experience. It defines and redefines our character.
Knowledge and wisdom are different things. According to Russell, knowledge is defined
as the acquisition of data and information, while wisdom is defined as the
practical application and use of the knowledge to create value. Wisdom is gained through
learning and practical experience, not just memorization.
A sense of
proportion is very much necessary for wisdom.
By inventing medicine, a scientist may reduce the infant death-rate.
Apparently, it leads to population explosion and shortage of food. The standard
of life comes down. If misused, knowledge of atom can lead human to destruction
by manufacturing nuclear weapon.
Knowledge without wisdom can be harmful. Even complete knowledge is not enough.
For example, Hegel wrote with great knowledge about history, but made the
Germans believe that they were a master race. It led to war. It is necessary,
therefore to combine knowledge with
feelings.
We need wisdom both in
public and private life. We need wisdom to decide the goal of our life. We need
it to free ourselves from personal prejudices. Wisdom is needed to avoid
dislike for one another. Two persons may remain enemies because of their
prejudice. If they can be told that we all have flaws then they may become
friends
So, ‘Hate Hatred’
should be our slogan. Wisdom lies
in freeing ourselves from the control of our sense organs. Our ego develops
through our senses. We cannot be free from the sense of sight, sound and touch.
We know the world primarily through our senses. As we grow we discover that
there are other things also. We start recognizing them. Thus we give up
thinking of ourselves alone. We start thinking of other people and grow wiser.
We give up on our ego. Wisdom comes when we start loving others.
Russell feels that wisdom can be taught as a
goal of education. Even though we are born unwise which we cannot help, we can
cultivate wisdom. Queen
Elizabeth I, Henry IV and
Abraham Lincoln, are some impressive personalities who fused vigor with wisdom and fought the
evil.
