Wisdom does not divide people, it unifies people.

[Sunstone]

In another thread (Compare Lao Tzu And Jesus!), PureX made this comment: " Wisdom does not divide people, it unifies people."

Is this true? If so, why? If not, why not?

If true, what, if anything, does it imply about the possibility of world unity?

Is there a way or ways to cultivate wisdom?

Can wisdom be taught?

Is wisdom more manifest in what we say, or in what we do? Is a person wise who speaks wisely and acts foolishly? Is a person wise who speaks foolishly and acts wisely?

If two wise people from different societies and cultures meet in a mountainside nudist colony would they get along with each other? Would they become friends? Would they respect each other's wisdom? Most importantly, would they share sun blocks?

 

[d.]

if wisdom is defined as 'knowledge that unifies people' not as something that 'divides people', then yes. i personally find this definition very likeable.

it's an interesting topic, but ultimately, isn't it about what you personally consider desirable personal traits?

 

[c0da]

In another thread (Compare Lao Tzu And Jesus!), PureX made this comment: " Wisdom does not divide people, it unifies people."

Is this true? If so, why? If not, why not?

I think it is true. I think one definition of wisdom could be the ability to judge a situation rationally and come to the right solution, aided by their knowledge and experience.

Violence, and many other things that divide people, are often the product of irrational and desperate thinking. So if people think wisely, rather than irrationally, the consequences are likely to be positive.

Is there a way or ways to cultivate wisdom?

Definitely. I think by learning from ones mistakes can make a person more wise. Their judgement of things would be better because of knowledge gained from past experiences.

Having an innquisitive mind can also cultivate wisdom. If one is eager to learn and try things out, they will know first hand what works for them and what doesn't work for them, what can benefit people and what won't benefit people.

Can wisdom be taught?

Yes. I think wise people can pass on their pearls of wisdom to less wise people and, provided they are properly taking in and understanding what they are being told, they will be the more wise for it.


*By The Way, Sunstone, good post, I would give frubals but I've got to spread it around a bit more before coming back to you! So unfair!

 

[d.]

Violence, and many other things that divide people, are often the product of irrational and desperate thinking. So if people think wisely, rather than irrationally, the consequences are likely to be positive.

i agree with this.

 

[Sunstone]

By The Way, Sunstone, good post, I would give frubals but I've got to spread it around a bit more before coming back to you! So unfair!

Thank you for your consideration! I'm not trying to decide for you, but if you'd like, it was PureX who suggested the topic of this thread, and who, IMO, deserves frubals for it if any are to be given. But, your call! It's just a thought.

Definitely. I think by learning from ones mistakes can make a person more wise. Their judgement of things would be better because of knowledge gained from past experiences.

Having an innquisitive mind can also cultivate wisdom. If one is eager to learn and try things out, they will know first hand what works for them and what doesn't work for them, what can benefit people and what won't benefit people.

I very much agree that our experience, along with observation and sound analysis of them, can be a basis for wisdom. But have you ever heard that children can be wise? If so, what do you think about that? Is there an innate wisdom?

it's an interesting topic, but ultimately, isn't it about what you personally consider desirable personal traits?

I'm unsure what you mean by that? Are you saying that wisdom is wholly subjective? Or, are you saying that one's choice to act wisely is wholly subjective? Or, are you saying something else?

So far as I'm concerned, wisdom is partly based on knowing ourselves, partly based on knowing the world, and perhaps largely based on other things. But knowing ourselves and the world might be two aspects of wisdom that have an objective standard by which we can decide to what extent we know.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I don't think that wisdom can be taught. IMHO, it must be imitated.

 

[michel]

In another thread (Compare Lao Tzu And Jesus!), PureX made this comment: " Wisdom does not divide people, it unifies people."

Is this true? If so, why? If not, why not?

If true, what, if anything, does it imply about the possibility of world unity?

Is there a way or ways to cultivate wisdom?

Can wisdom be taught?

Is wisdom more manifest in what we say, or in what we do? Is a person wise who speaks wisely and acts foolishly? Is a person wise who speaks foolishly and acts wisely?

If two wise people from different societies and cultures meet in a mountainside nudist colony would they get along with each other? Would they become friends? Would they respect each other's wisdom? Most importantly, would they share sun blocks?

I believe the saying is true; wisdom is about learning, descriminating the bad from the good, and using the knowledge learned from good outcomes to progress. That means, in theory, that it would unify people.

The trouble is that we (of different nations) have hitherto been reluctant to unify cultures, and culture dictates our behaviour. Therefore cross-cultural widom can be quite hard to achive (in a way as to be acceptable by all parties)

The way to cultivate wisom is to teach the young to learn (and I know that sounds obvious, but I don't necessarilly think that we all think that far). One of the greatest lessons I had from the little higher education I had was that the answer for most problems lioes in knowing how to go about finding a solution to a problem.

There are thousands of books out in the world; now we have the internet (which makes information so easy to get to). But one aspect we need is that of being able to discriminate between the wheat and the chaff (something I have got quite wrong on this forum, where I have quoted a totally untrustworthy site. How does one teach that ?

Is wisdom more manifest in what we say, or in what we do? Is a person wise who speaks wisely and acts foolishly? Is a person wise who speaks foolishly and acts wisely?

I think it is in both. the part about being wise and acting foolishly and vise versa reminds me of a very long philosophical I once learned, but have never managed to find it since.

It went something like

If a man knows not, and knows that he knows not, he is wise, teach him
If a man knows not, and knows not that he knows not, he is a fool, shun him
If a man knows and knows that he knows, he is wise, befriend him If a man knows, but knows not that he knows, he is a fool, shun him

Well, apart fro getting tongue tied, and cross eyed, I think you get the answer.

Some will never achieve wisdom; some will, in varying degrees. It is obvious that the more people are wise, the easier it will be to get them to interact.

When my kids were young, they used to accuse me of being a hypocrite, in that I told them not to make mistakes I had made (and was still making). For example "Don't smoke".

I used to reply "What would you rather I did ? would you rather I didn't pass on what I have learned is foolish, just so as not to be a hypocrite, or would you rather I taught you what I now know to be sensible ?"............

There are many people who can't see this; "lead by example". "The only way people will learn is by your setting a good example for them to follow."

Does that mean that, because I am a weak fool, I can't teach my children wisdom? ....I think not.

If two wise people from different societies and cultures meet in a mountainside nudist colony would they get along with each other? Would they become friends? Would they respect each other's wisdom? Most importantly, would they share sun blocks?

As far as that one is concerned, yes, they would become friends except if that wisom breached cultural guidelines. A guy may be very wise in drinking one glass of red wine a day (for the good of his heart), but there is no way that an alcoholic can follow his example...........there are too many variables.

 

[c0da]

I very much agree that our experience, along with observation and sound analysis of them, can be a basis for wisdom. But have you ever heard that children can be wise? If so, what do you think about that? Is there an innate wisdom?

Yes, there may well be. It was mentioned before about attaining wisdom through personal experience or through a teacher, but I guess at the end of the day, some people are just, innately, more prone to making wise decisions than others, whatever their life experiences are.

 

[lunamoth]

In another thread (Compare Lao Tzu And Jesus!), PureX made this comment: " Wisdom does not divide people, it unifies people."

Wow, that is a great way of defining wisdom, and I've never heard it put quite that way before. Definitely going into my memory file for frequent use.

lunamoth

 

[d.]

I'm unsure what you mean by that? Are you saying that wisdom is wholly subjective? Or, are you saying that one's choice to act wisely is wholly subjective? Or, are you saying something else?

So far as I'm concerned, wisdom is partly based on knowing ourselves, partly based on knowing the world, and perhaps largely based on other things. But knowing ourselves and the world might be two aspects of wisdom that have an objective standard by which we can decide to what extent we know.

that pretty much answers my question, which was something along the lines of, can we talk about wisdom in any way that isn't just our completely subjective opinion? i agree that this is one opening to do so, c0da i think suggested some other interesting ways to look at it.

hmmmm, i better mull this over for a while. :sleep:

 

[Jerrell]

Some have wisdom of themselves

Some have wisdom from God

Some have wisdom of Scriptures

Some have wisdom from Eperience

But even with Knowledge and wisdom present that doesn't mean you can use it right.

The world will never be unified dont fool yourself. I would wish it to be, but humans are to Nationalistic, Biast, and too evil in many cases, to unify. We kill each other, we wage war in an instant. We cause genecids, we rape children and women, we murder, we plunder and burn. We steal from each other, and our hearts turn cold as we could care less for human life. I would not want the world to be unifed, that would cause more trouble.

But in the end when my Lord Returns and all sinners are banished, We will have peace in this World. Amen.

 

[Sunstone]

But even with Knowledge and wisdom present that doesn't mean you can use it right.

You don't believe that wisdom is using one's knowledge right or appropriately? What then is wisdom in your view?

The world will never be unified dont fool yourself. I would wish it to be, but humans are to Nationalistic, Biast, and too evil in many cases, to unify. We kill each other, we wage war in an instant. We cause genecids, we rape children and women, we murder, we plunder and burn. We steal from each other, and our hearts turn cold as we could care less for human life. I would not want the world to be unifed, that would cause more trouble.

Is it wise to by cynical? Is it wise to be bitter? Is it wise to be universally pessimistic about humans? Are these attitudes marks of wisdom? If so, why?

 

[Jerrell]

You don't believe that wisdom is using one's knowledge right or appropriately? What then is wisdom in your view?



Is it wise to by cynical? Is it wise to be bitter? Is it wise to be universally pessimistic about humans? Are these attitudes marks of wisdom? If so, why?

If you question all things you can never get an answer.

Wisdom enough i knowing the will of God and being right in what you do(to be simple).

 

[Sunstone]

If you question all things you can never get an answer.

I'm confused by that statement. I thought science did a very good job of questioning things, and yet was able to come up with plenty of answers? Could you elaborate on what you mean?

Wisdom enough i knowing the will of God and being right in what you do(to be simple).

That seems like an acceptable definition of wisdom, even if I don't personally agree with it.

I must sign off now to go to an appointment, but I was wondering whether you thought wisdom can unite people? I know you don't believe it will ever be sufficient to unite everyone, but I'm curious whether you think it can unite anyone? Especially people from different societies, cultures, and religions?

 

[Krie]

there are a lot of ways to think about wisdom... so i do not know what to say.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

But in the end when my Lord Returns and all sinners are banished, We will have peace in this World. Amen.

But in your religion, aren't all humans sinners?



I think that both the type of wisdom that is being discussed and the person who views something as wisdom has a lot to do with whether it is unifying or divisive. For example, some people might look at Ghandi's non-violence protesting and see that as wisdom. Everyone who agreed that it is wisdom would be united, perhaps for nothing else but recognizing the strength and beauty of the human spirit. On the other hand, there are many people (of all theological viewpoints) who think that whatever they believe is the only wisdom that exists. I think those people, even if they are presented with true wisdom, will automatically see it as divisive because it is not 'theirs.'

 

[bill]

In another thread (Compare Lao Tzu And Jesus!), PureX made this comment: " Wisdom does not divide people, it unifies people."

Is this true? If so, why? If not, why not?

If true, what, if anything, does it imply about the possibility of world unity?

Is there a way or ways to cultivate wisdom?

Can wisdom be taught?

Is wisdom more manifest in what we say, or in what we do? Is a person wise who speaks wisely and acts foolishly? Is a person wise who speaks foolishly and acts wisely?

If two wise people from different societies and cultures meet in a mountainside nudist colony would they get along with each other? Would they become friends? Would they respect each other's wisdom? Most importantly, would they share sun blocks?

It would be wise to acknowledge that world unity at a macro level already exists and that world unity in the sense of a homogenous cultural mix is an idea akin with totalitarianism. Wisdom would unite if people realise that each person they come across has a unique developmental history that cannot be reversed. Wisdom divides if people actively seek "unity" by seeking homogeneity. The opening statement could be easily construed to suggest "wisdom in unity". I think it makes more sense to seek "unity in diversity". So I think the two wise people would probably get along very well.

Can wisdom be taught? Yes it can. But this presupposes wise teachers.

Wisdom is definitely in action. I think the problem with "verbal" wisdom rests in interpretation.

 

[Sunstone]

I think that both the type of wisdom that is being discussed and the person who views something as wisdom has a lot to do with whether it is unifying or divisive.

Is there more than one type of wisdom, Feathers? If so, are the different types of wisdom competing or complimentary? Would a person with one type of wisdom get along with a person of another type of wisdom?

For example, some people might look at Ghandi's non-violence protesting and see that as wisdom.

Wouldn't any wise person, regardless of society or culture, who knew history agree that Ghandi succeeded in his goal of forcing the British out of India?

On the other hand, there are many people (of all theological viewpoints) who think that whatever they believe is the only wisdom that exists. I think those people, even if they are presented with true wisdom, will automatically see it as divisive because it is not 'theirs.'

I agree. But are such people genuinely wise?

 

[d.]

It would be wise to acknowledge that world unity at a macro level already exists

in what sense?

 

[bill]

in what sense?

we have one world