Class 12 English Lesson 15 Essay: Knowledge and Wisdom: Reference to Context & Reference beyond text Literature Section
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 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 know 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 to achieve. 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 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 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 for education because, with every increase in knowledge and skill, wisdom becomes more necessary. If wisdom is inculcated it helps us realize 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 helping 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 a great necessity for wisdom in education.
b. How can you become wise? Do you think what you are doing in college contributes to wisdom?
Wisdom is hard to define and yet, somehow, we know it when we see it. Wise people stay calm in a crisis. They recognize the limits of their knowledge, consider alternative perspectives, and remember that the world is always changing. Becoming wiser is not a matter of a night. Patience and discipline are the keys to becoming wiser. Wise reasoning is associated with a whole lot of positives: higher life satisfaction, fewer negative feelings, better relationships, and less depressive rumination.
Moreover, a wise man commits mistakes. You learn from 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 becoming wiser. No matter what happens in your life, just be happy, keep your faith, and solve problems calmly. A wise man is never afraid of any situation. He/she works peacefully to solve the problem. I think these are certain ways to become wise.
Key Differences between Knowledge and Wisdom
a. Knowledge refers to the collection of information and facts about something or someone by learning and experience. The ability of a person to judge, apply education & experience in practical life and make the right choices is called wisdom.
b. Knowledge is nothing but organized information. It is not about the availability of information, but that should be relevant. On the contrary, wisdom is the quality to implement knowledge into practical life.
c. Knowledge is selective, in essence, it only stores specialized information. Conversely, wisdom is comprehensive and integrated.
d. Knowledge is deterministic while wisdom is non-deterministic.
e. Knowledge results in the understanding of a particular subject, whereas wisdom develops the discernment and reasoning ability of a person.
f. The approach to knowledge is theoretical. In contrast, wisdom is a spiritual approach.
g. When it comes to acquisition, knowledge is acquired by obtaining information or learning about the facts through observation or education. As opposed to wisdom, which is developed in the person through day-to-day experiences in life.
h. Knowledge has the same relation to the mind, as that of wisdom with the soul.
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