I think most people would agree that in today’s modern world through our advances in technology and connectivity, the access to knowledge available to us today far surpasses that of all previous ages. Just consider the internet. Google any word, idea, quotation, subject matter or person and the result will often be thousands of sources where one can increase their knowledge on that subject. I confess that I use the internet virtually every week in preparing my Weekend Inspiration.
Yet, despite the seemingly infinite sources of knowledge available to us today, societally it does not appear that we have reaped a correlative increase in wisdom. Why is that? If the mere accumulation of knowledge does not necessarily result in the attainment of wisdom, what does?
First, let’s contrast the definition of each. Knowledge can be defined as an acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles gained from study or investigation. Simply stated, it is what we learn. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, and lasting. It encompasses a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgments, and actions in keeping with this understanding. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Simply put, wisdom is the excellency or perfection of knowledge. I believe our lifelong quest for happiness and fulfillment is inexorably tied to our search for wisdom. And I would also argue that they are one in the same.
How do we learn wisdom? Confucius said, “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” To attain true wisdom, I believe one must first understand that there are two subsets of wisdom; wisdom of the head and wisdom of the heart. The pathway of the head is intellectual while the pathway of the heart is spiritual.
There are several factors that contribute to intellectual wisdom. Of these I would rank first a sense of proportion. This entails having the capacity to take into account all of the important factors within a situation or problem being contemplated and then to attach to each factor its accurate and appropriate weight before acting on the situation or solving the problem. It involves consideration of any unintended consequences and, as such, requires comprehensive vision which rises significantly higher than a simple knowledge of the factors involved.
However, comprehensiveness alone is not enough to confect wisdom. To do so one must add feeling to intellect. This ultimately leads to my previous position that true wisdom encompasses both head and heart. It is by no means uncommon to find those whose knowledge is wide and deep enough to reach the level of intellectual wisdom, but whose feelings are narrow. Certainly these people cannot be considered as wise.
I believe the essence of wisdom of the heart lies in one’s ability to emancipate oneself from the tyranny of the here and now. It entails selflessness instead of selfishness. To reach such a state one must ultimately get beyond the cerebral into the spiritual. As the Bible states in James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” True wisdom, that of both head and heart is the perfection of knowledge and it begins at this end.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Have an AWE-full weekend!
William J. “Bill” Bacque’