Section B:Literature
Unit-3 Essay
Chapter:3 Knowledge and Wisdom
Summary
Knowledge and wisdom are different things.
According to Russell, knowledge is defined as the acquisition of data and
information, while wisdom is defined as the practical application and use of
the knowledge to create value. Wisdom is gained through learning and practical
experience, not just memorization. Knowledge and Wisdom defines the various
ways of achieving Wisdom. He laments that though vast knowledge has been
acquired; there has been no corresponding increase in wisdom. Russell defines
wisdom by telling us about things which contribute to wisdom.
The first is a sense of proportion. It is the
capacity to consider all important factors in a problem carefully.
Specialization makes it difficult. For example scientists discover new
medicines but they do not know what impact these medicines will have on the
life of the people. The medicines may reduce the infant death rate. But it may
lead to increased population. In poor countries it may lead to shortage of
food. If there are more people, it may lower the standard of life. The
knowledge of the composition of the atom could be misused by a lunatic to
destroy the world. If misused, knowledge of atom can lead human to destruction
by manufacturing nuclear weapon.
Knowledge without wisdom can be harmful. It should
be combined with the total needs of mankind. Even complete knowledge is not
enough. It should be related with certain knowledge of the purpose of life. The
study of history can illustrate it. For example Hegel wrote with great
knowledge about history, but made the Germans believe that they were a master
race. It led to war. It is necessary therefore to combine knowledge with
feelings. Men who have knowledge and have no feelings lack wisdom. We need
wisdom both in public and private life. We need wisdom to decide the goal of
our life. We need it to free ourselves from personal prejudices. We may follow
even a novel thing unwisely if it is too big to achieve. Man may attempt to
achieve the impossible, he may do harm to himself in the process.
In personal life, says Russell, wisdom is
needed to avoid dislike for one another. Two persons may remain enemies because
of their prejudice. One may dislike the other for imaginary faults. If they can
be told that we all have flaws (faults) then they may become friends. We can
avoid hatred if we are wise. Wisdom lies in freeing ourselves from the control
of our sense organs. Our ego develops through our senses. We cannot be free
from the sense of sight, sound and touch. We know the world primarily through
our senses. As we grow we discover that there are other things also. We start
recognizing them. Thus we give up thinking of ourselves alone. We start
thinking of other people and grow wiser. We give up on our ego. It is difficult
to completely get rid of selfishness, but we can think of things beyond our
immediate surroundings. Wisdom comes when we start loving others.
Russell feels that wisdom can be taught as a
goal of education. The message in the parable of the Good Samaritan is that we
should love our neighbour whether friend or foe. Many a time we miss the
message in this parable (story/fable)because we fail to love those who cause
harm to the society. In brief Russell tells us not to hate anybody. The author
draws out examples from the history of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry IV and Abraham
Lincoln, who were free from the errors committed by other eminent people in the
past.
The danger of hatred and narrow-mindedness can
be pointed out in the course of giving knowledge. Russell feels knowledge and
wisdom can be combined in the scheme of education. People should be educated to
see things in relation to other things of the world. They should be encouraged
to think of themselves as world citizens.
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions.
a. What are the factors that contribute to wisdom?
Russell believes that there are
several factors that contribute to wisdom. The first factor is a sense of
proportion. He defines it as the capacity to take account of all the important
factors in a problem and to attach to each its due weight. The second factor
focuses on awareness of the ends of human life. Russell substantiates this
factor using the example of Hegel, an eminent historian from Germany. The third
factor is emancipation from personal prejudice. Russell also stresses on the
need to try and view the world with impartiality although to the view the world
with complete impartiality is impossible.
b. What message does the writer try to convey with the example of technicians?
The writer tries to tell us
knowledge itself cannot save the world. Knowledge without wisdom will not
benefit the world and in some cases will even pose a serious threat to
humanity. So a wise person has to have a comprehensive view.
c. Which leaders does Russell say were able to mix knowledge and wisdom
soundly?
Queen Elizabeth I in England,
Henry IV in France and Abraham Lincoln in the United States of America were the
leaders Bertrand Russell says who were able to mix knowledge and wisdom soundly.
Queen Elizabeth I and Henry IV remained free from the errors of their time,
being unaffected by the conflict between the Protestants and the Catholics.
Abraham Lincoln conducted a great war without ever departing from wisdom.
d. Why is wisdom needed not only in public ways, but in private life
equally?
Wisdom helps to free ourselves
from personal prejudices and hatred against one another. Two persons may remain
enemies because of their prejudice. One may dislike the other for imaginary
faults. However, if they can be told that we all have flaws then they may
become friends. This is the matter of public life. Considering about the
private life too, we may fail in choosing the target of our life and we may not
have sufficient patience and sufficient persuasiveness. That’s why wisdom is
needed not only in public ways, but in private life equally.
e. What, according to Russell, is the true aim of education?
Russell feels that wisdom can be
taught as a goal of education. The message in the parable of the Good Samaritan
is that we should love our neighbour whether friend or foe. However, in many
situations we miss the message in this parable because we fail to love those
who cause harm to the society. The only way to eradicate hatred is through
understanding and love. Queen Elizabeth I in England, Henry IV in France and
Abraham Lincoln in the United States of America were the leaders Russell says
who were able to mix knowledge and wisdom soundly. Russell feels knowledge and
wisdom can be combined in the scheme of education. People should be educated to
see things in relation to other things of the world.
f. Can wisdom be taught? If so, how?
Yes wisdom can be taught as a
goal of education. The message in the parable of the Good Samaritan is that we
should love our neighbour whether friend or foe. However, in many situations we
miss the message in this parable because we fail to love those who cause harm
to the society. The only way to eradicate hatred is through teaching of the
wisdom. The danger of hatred and narrow-mindedness can be pointed out in the
course of giving knowledge. Russell feels knowledge and wisdom can be combined
in the scheme of education. People should be educated to see things in relation
to other things of the world. They should be encouraged to think of themselves
as world citizens.
g. Why does the world need more wisdom in the future?
Wisdom is needed to free
ourselves from personal prejudices and hatred against one another. Two persons
may remain enemies because of their prejudice. One may dislike the other for
imaginary faults. However, if they can be told that we all have flaws then they
may become friends. We can avoid hatred if we are wise. Wisdom lies in freeing
ourselves from the control of our sense organs. Our ego develops through our
senses. As we grow, we give up thinking of ourselves alone. We start thinking
of other people and grow wiser and thereby help us in giving up on our ego.
Thus, the world needs more wisdom in the future.
Reference to the context
a. According to Russel, “The pursuit of knowledge may become harmful
unless it is combined with wisdom.” Justify this statement.
The essay ‘Knowledge and Wisdom’
written by Bertrand Russell talks about the need to integrate knowledge and
wisdom. He defines various ways of achieving wisdom and how knowledge without
wisdom can be harmful.
Russell stresses on the importance of
comprehensiveness, but at the same time says that comprehensiveness alone does
not constitute wisdom. Hegel’s philosophy was comprehensive, but was lacking in
wisdom and there was prejudice in his philosophy. Hegel wrote with great
knowledge about history, but made the Germans believe that they were the most
powerful race in the whole world which led to war. Therefore, it is necessary
to combine knowledge with feelings. Men who have knowledge and have no feelings
lack wisdom. We need wisdom both in public and private life.
b. What, according to Russell, is the essence of wisdom? And how can one
acquire the very essence?
Russell believes that it is unwise
to pursue certain goals if it is impossible of achievement. He points out that
the essence of wisdom is to free oneself from the confinement of the physical
world and the emotional world and look beyond. He also points out that
emancipation from personal prejudice makes one’s thoughts and feelings to
become less personal which contributes to wisdom.
Wisdom does not come immediately with
knowledge. According to Russell, wisdom is defined as the practical application
and use of the knowledge to create value. One can acquire the very essence
through learning and practical experience, not just memorization.
Reference beyond the text
a. Why is wisdom necessary in education? Discuss.
Wisdom is necessary in education
because with every increase of knowledge and skill, wisdom becomes more
necessary. If wisdom is inculcated it helps us realise our purposes whether it
is unwise or not. Wisdom is needed to free ourselves from personal prejudices
and hatred against one another. Two persons may remain enemies because of their
prejudice. One may dislike the other for imaginary faults. However, if they can
be told that we all have flaws then they may become friends.
We can avoid hatred if we learn how to be
wise. Wisdom lies in freeing ourselves from the control of our sense organs.
Our ego develops through our senses. As we grow, we give up thinking of
ourselves alone. We start thinking of other people and grow wiser and thereby
help us in giving up on our ego. The danger of hatred and narrow-mindedness can
be pointed out in the course of giving knowledge. Therefore, there is the great
necessity of wisdom in education.
b. How can you become wise? Do you think what you are doing in college
contributes to wisdom?
Wisdom is
something that’s hard to define and yet somehow we know it when we see it. The
wise people stay calm in a crisis. They recognize the limits of their own
knowledge, consider alternative perspectives, and remember that the world is
always changing.
Becoming wiser is not a matter of night.
Patience and discipline are the key to become wiser. Wise reasoning is
associated with a whole lot of positives: higher life satisfaction, fewer
negative feelings, better relationships and less depressive rumination. A wise
man commits mistakes. You learn by your own mistakes. It’s necessary to
remember that the more you commit mistakes the more you learn and the more you
improve. Staying happy is also a step to become wiser. No matter what happens
in your life, just be happy, keep the faith and solve the problems calmly. A
wise man is never afraid of any situations. He/she work peacefully to solve the
problem. I think this are the certain ways to become wise.
