Contrary to popular misconception, there is a critical difference between possessing knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is information acquired through education, a memorization of objective facts, statistics and formulas . On the other hand, wisdom is knowledge put into practical use, the ability to make correct choices. Knowledge can be taught in a classroom, but wisdom can only be gained, or rather earned, through life experience. Wisdom allows one to be at peace even amongst a chaotic life, and acts as a compass to guide one out of his most challenging situations. It is for this reason that King Solomon advised to, “Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures” …show more content…
A wise man should avoid falling behind on his responsibilities. Since the beginning of my high school career, my understanding of wisdom has changed to be more proactive with regards to order; wisdom means keeping track of everything one has to do, and making sure that it is done with time to spare, as to not allow any last-minute mistakes. Many all nighters of AP Chemistry have taught me the hard way the consequences of working without organization, costing me even more efficiency and rest. On the other hand , one must keep a balance between work and rest. Although one’s responsibilities should always take precedence over relaxation, it is important to know when to step away from one’s work …show more content…
Education should not be viewed as a chore, or a series of milestones on the way to adulthood, but as a lifelong journey of self-betterment. An active curiosity can turn even the mundane monotony of everyday life into an opportunity to expand one’s intellectual horizons. Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” The natural universe expands over one hundred billion galaxies, each filled with over a hundred billion stars, next to which our 197 million square mile planet seems miniscule by comparison. Within this ever expanding reality, there lives an unending myriad of things to discover and learn, if only one seeks it out. A wiseman should not simply accept his reality, instead he should question everything around him in order to understand
Wisdom: Is it worth the consequences that might come with it? In the eye-opening short story, “Flowers For Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon is a mentally challenged man who is given the choice of a surgery which will assist him in becoming exceptionally smart. He takes the offer because the chance to gain knowledge is all he has ever wanted. Adam and Eve are people living in literal paradise. Although they have all of the resources needed to live a life that is free of misfortune, they eat the fruit of a tree, knowing it will open their eyes beyond their current conscious state.
Practical wisdom is changeable and involves desires, pleasures and pains, it is also the knowledge of the best action. “It follows that, in general a man with practical wisdom is he who has the ability to deliberate” (1140a28). Aristotle is arguing that practical wisdom generally instructs a person to live well and in service of what is good, because it is a truthful and rational characteristic. “But it is also clear that… no choice will be right without practical wisdom and virtue. For virtue determines the end, and practical wisdom makes us do what is conducive to the end” (1145a4). Acting out of practical wisdom allows a person to do just, noble and good things are what constitutes a good
People believe that they are “wise” when they “know” something. A common member of society most often feels that knowledge enables people to feel powerful and misknowledge shows a certain weakness. Thurman explained, “Being right means that the world affirms us in what we think we know. ‘Knowing’ something is a way of controlling it, being able to put it in its proper place in relation to us so that we can use it effectively… So, knowledge is power, in the sense that it empowers us to act successfully. Misknowledge… is weakness, in the sense that our action may fail in their aim, backfire, or have unintended consequences. Knowledge is security, in that we know our vulnerabilities and can avoid harm. Misknowledge is danger, in that we don 't know what others might do to us or what traps may await us. We therefore feel powerful and secure when were right, weak and vulnerable when were wrong” (Thurman 446). Thurman took a distinctive approach and taught that not knowing meant obtaining freedom and achieving wisdom. Thurman taught, “… the Buddha discovered that this most certain knowledge of the ‘self’ is actually ‘misknowledge’—a fundamental misunderstanding, a delusion. And what 's more, he realized that this discovery was the key to liberation, the gateway to enlightenment” (Thurman 447). From a social standpoint, “wisdom” allows people to obtain a certain knowledge of themselves and in this way, acquire freedom. Once this “wisdom” is gained, one becomes selfless and allows him or her self to be a greater part of
While Solomon and Socrates had the same perspective on what wisdom was, they had contrasting understandings on where it came from. Solomon’s definition of wisdom was the knowledge of making wise choices. Proverbs 1:2-3 says,
One cannot help but think about how these principles can be utilized in one’s personal dealings. Loyalty, decency, and lifting up of your fellows are wonderful ideals to strive for in friendships, marriage, and in the rearing of children. It is difficult to think of any place in our lives that these ideals would NOT be applicable.
quest to find if anyone knows what virtues are and who has the virtues. While
When God grants knowledge, it is a given that the knowledge is going to surpass the average leader. When Solomon was granted knowledge by God, he went from a leader to an influencer, and a mighty good one at that, exemplified in 1 Kings 3:16-28. King Solomon was wise about what he asked the Lord for, and in return, the Lord blessed him with valuable knowledge. Solomon used this gift to his advantage when it came to his land and people, and it soon became noticeable that King Solomon was not the average leader. He embodied the gift of discernment and was able to truly bring out the vulnerable emotions in the women, therefore enabling him to successfully discern the truth.
However, Socrates does not stop there. He goes on to examine the question of the nature of justice and the just life. He identifies the three of the Athenian virtues: wisdom, courage, self discipline.
6) Integrity- Do what is right at all times, even when no one is watching.
There is a complex process through which a person acquires knowledge, and it depends on the mental capacity of a person as to how much knowledge he can acquire. In Plato’s Republic, we can see what knowledge does for the man in the allegory of the cave. In this story, knowledge was acquired by experience. In Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics, we learn what the ultimate intellectual virtues are and that wisdom is the highest of all. Knowledge from Plato and wisdom from Aristotle can be connected through the achievement of intellect.
For example, when a graduate steps out of the school and enter the insurance company, he is well equipped with the fundamental mathematical and business knowledge, as well as the analytic skills and understanding of market behavior. Only when he is able to apply his knowledge and skills to his work after, he is starting to become an influential actuary. Moreover, he should learn from people around him by listening to their opinions and observe how they what they learn to deal with various situations at work. Even the great master Confucius had to reflect on himself that “Am I a learned man? No I am not. But if a farmer asks me a question and my mind is a total blank, I shall keep turning the question over in my mind until I come up with an answer” and “There are those people who can do without knowledge, but I am not one of them. I listen to many views and choose the sound ones to follow. I see many things and keep them in my memory. Knowledge attained this way is the second best” (passage 7.28, The Analects). Knowledgeable as Confucius is, he kept seeking and absorbing new ideas from people around him to improve himself. Learning is
Throughout childhood to adulthood, one may oftentimes hear the quote “knowledge is power”. It is a quote usually drilled into the heads of elementary to college-aged kids in order to encourage his or her pursuit of an education. As much as privileged students roll his or her eyes at the utterance of this quote, it is hard to deny the weight of truth in this quote when examining the history of many countries. This is especially true during times of oppressive rule. Freedom of press, information, and lines of communication are usually the main thing to be restricted when there is a hunger for complete control over a group of people. The shadow of ignorance is used to blind the oppressed and keep/hide them in the dark from any potential aid.
What does it mean to be wise? Webster's Dictionary defines the word "wise" as being "marked by deep understanding, keen discerment". Through the telling of the ancient Mariner's tale, the Wedding-Guest became sadder and wiser. He became sad in that he identified himself with the shallow and self-absorbed mariner. However, the mariner changed his ways. The Wedding-Guest became wise through realizing that he himself needed to alter his ways.
One of the lessons I have learned from the last four years is organization. Organization is a good quality to have when it comes to school work. There will be days where you’ll shove papers into your bookbag in a hurry but it is always best to go back and organize all papers. Somedays I would lose many papers because I shoved them in my bag. This has caused me to stress over papers I could not find in order to turn in and that affected my grades. In my first year of high school it was very difficult to stay organized but I was able to complete the year organized. It wasn’t till the second half of my sophomore year that I started to lose the structure in my school work. Having good organization is not just having your supplies organized it having yourself together. Being organized will make you feel prepared for your classes and you feel like you have everything in
When I think about knowledge the first thing that comes to my mind is education. I believe that knowledge comes to people by their experiences in life. In other words, life is an instrument that leads me to gain knowledge. Many people consider that old people are wise because they have learned from good and bad experiences throughout their lives. Education requires work, dedication and faith to gain knowledge. We acquired knowledge through the guidance of from parents, role models, college/University teachers and life experiences.