Wisdom (also known as sapience) is known as the ability to think and act towards certain things using different factors such as knowledge, experience, and other like things. Wisdom may contribute to how someone may judge others, the compassion they feel towards things, and the virtues that they have in terms of ethics and benevolence. Wisdom can be seen as comprehending why certain things may be the way they are and knowing about the meaning of why that maybe is much deeper than simply knowing about those things. However, wisdom can be viewed differently in philosophical, psychological, spiritual, and religious terms.
In terms of traditional philosophy, there are a number of different interpretations of wisdom. Socrates’ story regarding wisdom has multiple interpretations alone. Aristotle also had a different interpretation of wisdom which divided the concept into different types. There are also more simple philosophical definitions of wisdom, such as the idea that it is a synonym of knowledge. Many philosophers combine these different perspectives into what is called a hybrid theory of wisdom, as a fix for the various shortcomings of each individual idea.
The psychological aspect of wisdom seems to believe that wisdom can be used to deal with questions people may have in terms of life, along with the ability to adapt to complex situations. That ability can go hand in hand with recognizing the limits that one may know, and the judgment they may make when in a matter that requires it. According to Robert Sternberg, he has suggested that wisdom should not let itself be befuddled with what can be considered as general intelligence as they are two very different things. Through one's own experience, one can learn much of the conflict that is in themself, particularly about integrity and despair. As one age, they may be able to develop that sense. Through compassion, they may feel it more than others may.
Spiritually, people may see wisdom as a virtue that is the highest for them. Being based on the concentration, one may be able to see something in a way that others may not see it. The answer to what was just mentioned can be found in three stages with the first stage being learning about what tradition may have to do with what matters forms wisdom. The second stage consists of reflecting on the facts that form what life is, and the third and final stage being development through meditation or having the utmost concentration. As wisdom requires learning and reflecting, one should not hate either of those.
Finally, in terms of religion, wisdom can be seen through certain gods or goddesses, or an aspect to a higher being. For example, those who practiced Mesopotamian religion regarded Enki, or Ea, as a god of wisdom. Those who are Christian describe wisdom to be an aspect related to God. However, there is a difference in wisdom for them, as there is secular wisdom and Godly wisdom. To Paul the Apostle, he stated that the worldly wisdom considered claims of Christ to be along the lines of foolish, but those that are on the path to salvation are who truly represent the wisdom that God has. To those who practice Judaism, wisdom is seen as one of the highest virtues and is represented by Solomon. Indian religions view wisdom as seeing things as they truly are, which leads to having freedom from suffering, or nirvana. All these religions have their own views on what wisdom is to them.
Quiz questions :
- What does wisdom contribute to?
- What is another word that wisdom can be called?
- Who suggested that there are two different kinds of wisdom?
- How do philosophers reconcile the problems with the different interpretations of wisdom?
- What symbols can wisdom be seen in? What are some examples?
Discussion questions:
- Where in your life has wisdom played a pivotal role?
- Why is wisdom important to philosophy?
- How do wisdom and religion coincide?
- Is wisdom only gained through experience?
- Is there untold challenge within gaining wisdom?
i think the downside of gaining wisdom is that with wisdom comes truth which can be unsettling.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with today, is many people do not try to gain more wisdom, which hurts civilization's future.
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Is there untold challenge within gaining wisdom?
ReplyDeleteYes. Much wisdom does come from pain and regret. Many things are learned by failing and learning from that experience.
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Is wisdom only gained through experience?
ReplyDeleteWisdom is something gained and something one can have. I believe this because from birth, some babies are smarter than others, however later on the babies lagging behind could gain wisdom to match their peers.
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