Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Philosophy is wondering whether that means ketchup is a smoothie.
(Should probably go into the jokes section, but maybe we can spin off a discussion about philosophical smoothies here)
LOL
I've heard it said over the years that Einstein, who we all know was a brilliant man, would forget to tie his shoes or comb his hair.
Not sure how to tell my story without coming across like I'm bragging, I was a pretty smart kid...but if you were to ask my Dad, I wasn't very savvy...yeah, that's it, savvy.
![Roll Eyes :rolleyes: :rolleyes:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
After reading the Bible through (well, most of it) as a young man, I came away wanting to seek wisdom, I was particularly impressed by the books of Solomon...still am. Philosophy came about years later, after some hard knocks in life. Finally got a chance to go back to school as a non-traditional student (and showed all those whippersnappers just how it should be done!), got a 4 year degree in 3, Summa *** Laude and member of the Alpha Beta Kappa Honor Society, Kappa Iota chapter (class of 2004). That is where I was exposed to philosophy.
Philosophy has its merits, but like religion it has to be applied, and also like religion there are branches or styles that are...how best can I put it?...meaningless. Philosophy for the sake of philosophy, self referential circles that form a feedback loop that stunts growth.
Don't get me wrong; Kant, Mills' Utilitarianism...well, those are two that stand out in my mind, they have a value but they are not "be all and end all" within themselves. Then I discovered Ayn Rand...and I was impressed, but there was still something lacking, something not quite written, something that falls just a bit short.
I come away thinking all of these can become like a religion, and to me religion is essentially the same as philosophy, these can perform similar functions...indeed, religion instills a kind of philosophy into a mind and soul.
But people are people, and people seldom live up to that instilled philosophy, or religion, whichever is your preference.
So the value of philosophy, or knowledge or wisdom for that matter, is in how it is used...how well is it applied in a person's life.
I guess I don't really think about it anymore. I still use wisdom as the roadmarkers...if my religion, philosophy or knowledge doesn't measure up, I count it as unwise. Maybe I've got it backwards, but it works for me.
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)