SUMMARY

In this essay, Russell makes a distinction between wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge and wisdom are distinct concepts. Russell provides a definition of wisdom and a number of approaches to achieving it. He laments the lack of a comparable increase in wisdom in spite of a wealth of information. He defines wisdom as the practical application and use of knowledge to produce value, while knowledge is the gathering of data and information. Wisdom comes from more than just memory; it also comes from study and actual experience.

By describing factors that contribute to wisdom, Russell defines wisdom. A sense of proportion is the first. It's the ability to analyze a problem's relevant variables in detail. It's hard because of specialization. For instance, scientists discover novel drugs without knowing how these drugs will affect people's lives. The medications might lower the mortality rate for newborns. However, it might lead to more people living there. Poorer nations may experience food shortages. A lower standard of living may result from an increase in population. The atom's composition could be used by a madman to destroy the world. Without insight, information can be risky.

The needs of humanity as a whole should be linked to knowledge. Knowledge that is comprehensive is insufficient. It ought to be connected to a particular comprehension of the purpose of life. This can be demonstrated with the assistance of history study. For instance, Hegel expounded on history with extraordinary verifiable information, yet he urged the Germans to feel that they were a predominant race. The war resulted from it. Consequently, it is essential to incorporate feelings and information. An illiterate man has knowledge but no feelings.

In both our public and private lives, we require wisdom. To determine our life's purpose, we need wisdom. We expect it to be devoid of personal prejudices. If a new idea is too big to accomplish, we might pursue it in an inappropriate manner. In search of the "philosopher's stone," also known as the "elixir of life," people have given up their lives. They weren't useful. They were looking for straightforward solutions to the complex problems facing humanity. A man may attempt the impossible, but in the process, he may put himself in danger.

In a similar vein, personal wisdom is required to avoid animosity. Two people may continue to be enemies due to their prejudice. A person might despise the other because of perceived flaws. If they are made aware that we all have flaws, they might become friends. Russell argues that reasoned argument can prevent hatred. Getting rid of our sense organs is the first step toward wisdom. Our senses help us develop our ego. The senses of sight, sound, and touch are essential to our existence. The primary means by which we perceive the world are our senses. We discover that there are other things as we grow up. They begin to appear to us. Consequently, we cease to view ourselves as individuals. We become wise when we start thinking about other people. We gave up our egotism. Although it is difficult to completely eradicate selfishness, we can consider our surroundings from a broader perspective. When we begin to value things that do not directly affect us, wisdom emerges. Wisdom begins when we begin to love other people.

Insight, as indicated by Russell, can be instructed as a point of schooling. We learn to love our neighbors, whether they are friends or foes, from the story of the Good Samaritan. Because we stop loving those who harm society, we frequently miss the point of this story. Only understanding, not hatred will get you out. Russell basically tells us not to hate anyone. The author uses Queen Elizabeth I, Henry IV, and Abraham Lincoln as historical examples of notable people who avoided making the same mistakes in the past. The dangers of hatred and narrow-mindedness may be brought to light during education. Russell is of the opinion that an educational strategy can incorporate both knowledge and morals. Education should teach people to see things in relation to other parts of the world. They should be encouraged to think of themselves as citizens of the world.

The author then goes on to list five things that contribute to wisdom. These are the main ones: comprehensiveness, proportionality, emancipation, impartiality, understanding, and awareness of human needs. We become more evil as our knowledge expands. We would require increasingly more insight to utilize our insight. We need more wisdom to make the most of our growing knowledge. We won't be able to achieve our goals and fulfill our life's purpose until then.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW.

a. What factors are associated with wisdom?

The following elements contribute to wisdom:

Comprehension, proportionality, emancipation, and impartiality are all aspects of comprehensiveness.

b. With the example of technicians, what message is the author attempting to convey?

The author makes an effort to convey a message about harm by using technicians as an illustration. He is of the opinion that applying technical knowledge without wisdom could be detrimental to humanity. Technologists, for instance, may be pleased that the global infant mortality rate has decreased, but this result in a lack of food and a lower standard of living. Similarly, understanding atomic theory can be used to construct atomic bombs that will eradicate humanity.

c. According to Russell, which leaders were able to effectively combine knowledge and wisdom?

According to Russell, leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Henry IV of France, and Queen Elizabeth I of England were able to successfully combine knowledge and wisdom. Both Queen Elizabeth I and Henry IV stayed clear of their time's deficiencies, and thus, they were both kind and doubtlessly not fruitless. Similarly, Abraham Lincoln never strayed from the path of wisdom while leading a massive battle.

d. Why is wisdom necessary not only in public settings but also in private ones?

Wisdom is required not only in public settings but also in private ones. Wisdom is required when choosing objectives and overcoming personal prejudice. Because we lack wisdom, we might not be able to choose the goal of our life and succeed.

e. According to Russell, what exactly is the purpose of education?

Russell maintains that the true goal of education is to instill wisdom in individuals. Wisdom enables us to use our knowledge effectively in the real world without harming other people. Knowledge and wisdom must be combined by citizens to be good citizens.

f. Can wisdom be cultivated? How, then?

True, wisdom can be learned. Teaching wisdom ought to have a greater intellectual component than teaching morality. The devastating effects of hatred and narrow-mindedness can be mentioned incidentally while imparting knowledge to those who feel them. For instance, in addition to teaching about the atom's composition, it is necessary to teach about the devastating effects of its misuse, such as the creation of atomic weapons.

g. Why is there a future demand for more wisdom?

In the future, the world will require more wisdom. It is abundantly clear that knowledge will continue to grow in the future when we examine the current state of knowledge in various fields. The majority of people misuse knowledge due to lack of wisdom, resulting in a variety of negative outcomes, and this trend will continue if knowledge is not combined with wisdom in the future. People can only make wise use of their knowledge with wisdom. For a brighter future, more wisdom is required.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

a. Russell asserts, "Unless it is combined with wisdom," that "the pursuit of knowledge may become harmful." Justify your position.

I completely agree with Bertrand Russell. Wisdom is essential for any person who is in search of knowledge. For example, the pioneer scientist may not have thought that the nuclear fusion technology, if landed on wrong hands then it would create a devastating consequence. Therefore, while pursuing knowledge one should have wisdom. They should not only concerned of inventing or discovering something, they should also contemplate on it merits and demerits. Mark Zuckerberg had only thought of connecting people by Facebook, but today Facebook has been a major reason for relationship breakages and crimes.

b. According to Russell, what exactly constitutes wisdom? And how is the very essence obtained?

The essence of wisdom, according to Russell, is to break free from the confines of the physical and emotional worlds and look beyond them. He thinks it's a bad idea to work toward goals that are impossible to achieve. He also says that knowledge comes from being free of personal prejudice, which makes one's thoughts and feelings less personal.

Wisdom is not always the result of knowledge. The practical application and use of knowledge to generate value, according to Russell, is wisdom. Instead of relying solely on memory, one can acquire the very essence of wisdom through learning and actual experience.

REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT

a. Why is wisdom necessary in education? Discuss.

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge by being impartial, and calculating both the good and bad sides and wisdom starts with knowledge which is gained through education. Therefore, when still the brain is innocent, unaffected by the outside negative impressions, knowledge should be accompanied by wisdom. Teachers should not only give knowledge but also teach wisdom so that any individual’s conscience develops positively. It is valuable in education because today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, doctors, scientists, managers and what not.

b. How do you develop wisdom? Do you think that the things you are doing in college help you become wise?

Wisdom is hard to develop because not everyone is wise despite having immense knowledge. In order to develop wisdom one should learn and habituate to think critically and analytically. Without careful examination of application of knowledge wisdom cannot be achieved. Therefore, transcending above what is apparently visible is the way to develop wisdom. Talking about the activities that is being done in college will make us wise provided that there are no mentors who teach us to scrutinize the available knowledge. We are still kids and we lack critical thinking abilities, we are driven by emotion more than reason. Therefore, if we are trained to think wisely we can become wise or else we will just be knowledgeable.