Lena Russomanno, Section 12. Knowledge or Wisdom, which is more useful?

Knowledge or Wisdom, which is more useful? 

I find this question to be very interesting, because I never really thought of these two words differently. I figured to have knowledge you had to have wisdom, and to be wise you must be knowledgeable. When analyzing this question, it raised a question of: what are these two words, and how do they truly relate to another? 

Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by perceiving, discovering, or learning. (wiki)

Knowledge is acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition. (Dictionary.com)

Knowledge is information and understanding about a subject which a person has, or which all people have. (Collins) 

Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. Wisdom is associated with attributes such as unbiased judgment, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, self-transcendence and non-attachment, and virtues such as ethics and benevolence. (wiki)

Wisdom is the ability to use your experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions or judgments. (Collins) 

Wisdom is the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight. (Dictionary.com)

I wanted to make this point to say that, there are no two same or definite definitions of the two words. We are only left to our understanding and perceptions of how the two coincide with on another. So, before I go on…what do you think? What do you think the words mean?

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling, but of a lifelong attempt to acquire it.” -Albert Einstein  

Growing up I always believed knowledge came from text books, my parents, and teachers within my education, I would probably have sided with the definition above given by Collins. It’s merely the facts you retain from studying. Even though they are in separate entities, I believe you cannot be wise unless you have knowledge. I think wikipedia does a wonderful job defining wisdom, it is not merely just knowledge, but the act of using the facts you have learned to offer insight and unbiased judgement. I find wisdom to be a lot more useful than knowledge even though knowledge is the foundation for all of our thoughts. Every decision I make, every word I say, every thought I think stems from my experiences and how I live my life. 

As you are figuring out your thoughts, click on this link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZN2rI3tgGM

Quiz: 

1. What is a basic definition of knowledge?

2. What is a basic definition of wisdom?

3. Fill in the blank: 

Albert Einstein said, "Wisdom is not a product of schooling, but of a lifelong attempt to _____ __."

4. Between knowledge and wisdom, what did the man in the video conclude was more important?

Discussion: 

1. Do you believe knowledge is more useful than wisdom? or vise versa?

2. Which definition of knowledge above do you find to be the best? why?

3. Which definition of Wisdom above do you find to be the best? why?

4. Which do you use use more often, knowledge or wisdom?