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Are the Wisest People the People Who Know they are fools?
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
I do think that the beginning of wisdom is the realization that you still have much to learn. I know that the older I get the less convinced of certain things I am.
Noting that there is a difference between KNOWING one is a fool, and ACTING LIKE a fool, I would answer yes.
Personally, I'm pretty good at the latter, just getting there on the former...
Personally, I'm pretty good at the latter, just getting there on the former...
Noting that there is a difference between KNOWING one is a fool, and ACTING LIKE a fool, I would answer yes.
Personally, I'm pretty good at the latter, just getting there on the former...
Been there done that.
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
I'm happy with both. I learned well from my dad to never overlook the opportunity for a well timed sight gag. Keep 'em laughing. The most fun is when people can't tell if you are serious. I don't mind people laughing at me, it just gets a bit irksome when I am trying to be serious.
I suppose it's a small price to pay though.The trick is not to take yourself too seriously. People pick up on it and think, "Oh, Christ, here comes Dicky Downer."Personally, I'm pretty good at the latter, just getting there on the former...
Daemon Sophic
Avatar in flux
"The more I learn, the more I learn there is to learn."
I think the philisophical point of this and Einstein's similar quote is not the absolute that the OP implies.
The wise (and reasonably intelligent and educated) person does not consider themself a fool. Rather they are humbled, for they have pulled away one branch of a bush and see the forested hills and valleys stretching out for miles behind the bush.
The true fool just stares at the bush and figures that he already knows everything worth knowing (because he can see the whole bush from here), and thinks that it wouldn't be worth his time and energy to grab that first branch (being the 'lord of all knowledge' as he is).
I think the philisophical point of this and Einstein's similar quote is not the absolute that the OP implies.
The wise (and reasonably intelligent and educated) person does not consider themself a fool. Rather they are humbled, for they have pulled away one branch of a bush and see the forested hills and valleys stretching out for miles behind the bush.
The true fool just stares at the bush and figures that he already knows everything worth knowing (because he can see the whole bush from here), and thinks that it wouldn't be worth his time and energy to grab that first branch (being the 'lord of all knowledge' as he is).
Are you suggesting that all us who feel like we are idiots are the people to be reckoned with?
I won't disagree.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
I wouldn't necessarily use the word fool, but perhaps rather those that realize they know nothing.
Contrary. It is a trick question to make me accept that I am a fool. So, I am not answering.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." from Sacrates himself.
Fools, no. Just people who accept that they can't figure out all the answers to life's questions; and, that's okay. With that wisdom, it's like saying "I'm happy with what I know now" living at the present moment. That's wisdom. The mark of the wise.
Rick O'Shez
Irishman bouncing off walls
There are many unanswered questions, but I can't see the point of just making stuff up to feel better, which is what most religious belief looks like to me.
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Augustus
…
Some people focus on what they do know, wise people focus on what they don't know. You can't be wise simply because you know a lot; you need to understand how to reconcile that which you know and that which you do not know. So the wise person is constantly aware of their own ignorance.
It's like how a rational person would have to admit their own irrationality. It is irrational to consider yourself rational.
To be rational you need to focus on your irrationality and to be wise you need to focus on your ignorance.
Tomorrows_Child
Active Member
If someone is wise enough to know they are a fool, they just happen to be smart enough to recognise their foolishness and their foolishness in turn makes them, by nature, unwise.
So, to answer your question, obviously not.
So, to answer your question, obviously not.
Rick O'Shez
Irishman bouncing off walls
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
I know a lot of fools who are fully aware that they are fools. They may not be deluded. However, they certainly aren't wise either.
I think it's more those who know they don't know anything and continue to learn all they don't know.
