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Knowledge and Wisdom by Bertrand Russell
Summary | Exercise (Questions & Answers)
Compulsory English Class 12
Neb English Notes
Knowledge and Wisdom by Bertrand Russell
MAIN SUMMARY
Knowledge and Wisdom by Bertrand Russell
In the essay "Knowledge and Wisdom" Bertrand Russell distinguishes knowledge from wisdom. According to him, knowledge is defined as the acquisition of data and information, whereas wisdom is the practical application and use of knowledge to create value. Wisdom can be achieved through learning and practical experience. His lamentation over the fact that though vast knowledge has been acquired in this world by people, there has been no corresponding increase in wisdom.
Russell thinks that several factors contribute to wisdom. He first gives a sense of proportion, which is the capacity to consider all important factors in a problem carefully. Mainly, specialisation makes it difficult. For instance, scientists discover new medicines in the world, but they do not know what effect the medicines will have on people's lives. These medicines may reduce the infant death rate. The consequences of these medicines may lead to an increased population. In poor countries, it may lead to starvation or famine. If there are more people in the world, it may decrease their standard of living.
There should always be wisdom along with knowledge. Only knowledge can have disastrous consequences. The only knowledge of the composition of the atom could be misused by a lunatic to destroy the world. If this knowledge is misused, it can lead humans to destruction by producing nuclear weapons.
Russell emphasises comprehensiveness as an important factor that constitutes wisdom. As human knowledge becomes more specialised, one who is deeply engrossed in the study of his or her specific field may fail to predict the outcome of the knowledge that he or she is pursuing. Every time, knowledge should be combined with the total needs of mankind.
Even complete knowledge is not sufficient. It should always be associated with a certain awareness of the end of human life. The study of history can easily prove it. For example, Hegel wrote with great knowledge about history and Germans, but his knowledge made the Germans believe that they were a master race. That particular knowledge of Hegel led to war. Thus, it is very necessary to combine knowledge with feelings. Those men who have only knowledge but don't have any feelings always lack wisdom.
Wisdom is essential in every aspect and is needed both in public and private life. People require wisdom every time to decide the objective of their prejudices. We can even mindlessly pursue something new if it is too big to achieve. People may try to achieve the impossible and harm themselves in the process of achieving it. In private life, wisdom is needed to avoid dislike for each other, says Russell. Two people may become enemies because of their misunderstanding and prejudice. They may dislike each other because of imaginary flaws. If they can be told that we all have flaws, they can be friends.
Wisdom occurs when we free ourselves from the control of our senses. Our ego develops through our senses. One cannot be free from sight, sound, and touch. The world is primarily recognised through our sense organs. Thus, we should stop thinking of ourselves alone. We have to start thinking of other people and grow wiser. It is difficult to make us free completely from our selfishness, but we can think of things somewhat beyond our immediate surroundings. Wisdom exists when we start loving others.
Russell thinks that wisdom can be taught as an aim of education. The message in the parable of the Good Samaritan is that we should love our neighbour, whether friend or enemy. Many times, we miss the message in this parable because we fail to love those who cause harm to society. Russell draws out examples from the histories of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry IV, and Abraham Lincoln. According to him, these people were free from the errors of their time and both.
The risk of hatred and narrow-mindedness can be recognised in the course of imparting knowledge. Russell feels that knowledge and wisdom can be integrated into the system of education. People should be educated to understand things in relation to other things in the world. They should be encouraged to think of themselves as world citizens.
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ALL ESSAYS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS' SOLUTION PACK
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Knowledge and Wisdom by Bertrand Russell
BEFORE READING
Discuss the following questions.
a. What are the differences between a learned man and a wise man?
Answer:
Following are the differences between a learned man and a wise man:
▪︎ A learned man knows various facts based on his learned principles, while a wise man possesses intellect based on his experience of different things.
▪︎ A learned man is not very sure about the outcome of his actions or creation, while a wise man is.
▪︎ A wise man is more preferred and respected for his wisdom, experience, and judgement than a learned man.
b. Why do you think some knowledgeable people are not wise?
Answer:
I think some knowledgeable people are not wise because they lack the essence of wisdom in their lives.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Answer the following questions.
a. What are the factors that contribute to wisdom?
Answer:
Russell has mentioned some important factors in the essay that contribute to wisdom, as follows:
1. A sense of proportion.
2. An awareness of the ends of human life.
3. Emancipation from personal prejudice.
4. Impartiality
5. Intellectual element
b. What message does the writer try to convey with the example of technicians?
Answer:
The writer tries to convey the message related to threats with the examples of technicians. According to him, knowledge itself can't save the world. Knowledge without wisdom won't benefit the world, and in some cases, it will even pose a serious threat to humanity. For example, scientists discover new medicines, but they don't know what impacts these medicines will have on the lives of people. These medicines may reduce the infant death rate but may lead to an increased population. In poor countries, it may lead to a shortage of food. If there are more people, it may lower the standard of living. The knowledge of the composition of the atom could be misused by lunatics to destroy the world. If misused, knowledge of atoms can lead humans to destruction by manufacturing nuclear weapons.
c. Which leaders does Russell say were able to mix knowledge and wisdom soundly?
Answer:
Russell says that leaders like Queen Elizabeth I in England, Henry IV in France, and Abraham Lincoln in the USA were able to mix knowledge and wisdom soundly. Among them, Queen Elizabeth I and Henry IV escaped themselves from committing errors of their time, which made them beneficent and certainly not ineffective. Similarly, Abraham Lincoln conducted a great war without ever departing from wisdom.
d. Why is the wisdom needed not only in public ways, but in private life equally?
Answer:
Wisdom is needed not only in public but also in private life, because it is advantageous in both ways. Wisdom is required for the selection of goals to be pursued as well as personal prejudice emancipation. We may fail to choose our life's goal due to a lack of wisdom, and we may lack the patience and persuasiveness needed to persuade others.
e. What, according to Russell, is the true aim of education?
Answer:
According to Russell, the true aim of education is to instill wisdom among the people. It is wisdom that drives us to use our knowledge in practical life without causing any harm to mankind. To become good citizens, people should have knowledge as well as wisdom.
f. Can wisdom be taught? If so, how?
Answer:
Yes, wisdom can be taught. It can be taught as a goal of education. More than moral instruction, wisdom education should include a strong intellectual component. In the course of imparting knowledge, the disastrous consequences of hatred and narrow-mindedness to those who feel them can be mentioned. When teaching the composition of an atom, for example, the disastrous consequences of its misuse, such as the creation of an atom bomb, must also be taught.
g. Why does the world need more wisdom in the future?
Answer:
The world needs more wisdom in the future because, with every increase in knowledge and skill, our purposes may be unwise. This can be a threat to the world, and the world will need 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.
Answer:
This statement has presented the reality regarding the knowledge and wisdom of this world and its people. Human beings are keenly interested in learning new ideas and things in their lives. The lives of humans move on, learning a variety of new things in their lives. In this world, most people have devoted their whole lives to the pursuit of knowledge. The knowledge that they have pursued is great as well as beneficial for mankind. Similarly, the pursuit of knowledge by humans has also brought disastrous results for humans in this world. The main reason behind this disastrous outcome is the application of knowledge without wisdom. Wisdom is essential in every aspect of knowledge. Wisdom should be combined with knowledge. Those who keep on pursuing the knowledge may fail to predict the disastrous outcome of the knowledge. It can be harmful to entire humans to move along with pursuing knowledge. Knowledge should be combined with the total needs of mankind. Even complete knowledge is not enough. This must be combined with some awareness of the end of human life. A study of history can prove this. The wisdom to apply knowledge plays a very vital role in the welfare of humans.
The knowledge of atomic structure has become harmful to mankind as it is used in making bombs. Similarly, Hegel, although he had great knowledge of history, convinced the Germans that they were a master race. This gave rise to great, destructive wars. Therefore, it is necessary to combine knowledge with the spirit of humanity.
We need an event to decide the aim of our lives. It makes us free from personal prejudices. Even great things are applied unwisely because of a lack of wisdom. The writer tries to tell us that 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.
Answer in short:
Humans are inquisitive creatures who are eager to learn new things. The majority of people have spent their entire lives in search of knowledge. Some pieces of knowledge are noble and beneficial to humans, while others are harmful. Knowledge, combined with wisdom, is beneficial to us because it addresses all of humanity's needs. Because it is used to make bombs, knowledge of atomic composition has become harmful to mankind. Similarly, Hegel, despite his extensive knowledge of history, persuaded the Germans that they were a superior race. It resulted in massively destructive wars. As a result, knowledge must be combined with a sense of humanity. We require an event to determine our life's purpose. It liberates us from our prejudices. In the absence of wisdom, even noble things are used in injudicious ways.
b. What, according to Russell, is the essence of wisdom? And how can one acquire the very essence?
Answer:
According to Russell, emancipation from the tyranny of being preoccupied with prejudice is the essence of knowledge. It makes our feelings and thoughts less personal. It makes us less concerned about our physical well-being. Wisdom is what causes us to care for and love the entire human race, and that is what takes us to the next level of spirituality. It enables us to make the best decisions and gives us a broader vision of fairness. By breaking the ego link of our senses, recognising the goals of human life, applying our knowledge wisely for the benefit of humanity, choosing noble and attainable life goals, managing our sensory perceptions, and becoming progressively impartial and different from others, we can acquire its very essence.
REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT
a. Why is wisdom necessary in education? Discuss.
Answer:
Wisdom is necessary in education because wisdom is essential for education. In the matter of education, both knowledge and wisdom are equally important. Only knowledge in education leads to its misuse because one can't see its true purpose in life.
Wisdom is a fine ability with the help of which we can use knowledge, understanding, experience, common sense, and insight to make fine decisions and sensible judgments. Following are some of the reasons that prove the necessity of wisdom in education:
▪︎ Students need the wisdom to ponder the knowledge they have grasped through their learning process. They need to look at their knowledge wisely for good outcomes.
▪︎ Wisdom allows the students to understand things from different perspectives and makes them wise.
▪︎ Wisdom supports the students in tackling difficult situations and makes them able to find proper solutions at the right time.
▪︎ Wisdom is associated with qualities such as impartial judgement, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, self-reciprocity, and non-attachment, as well as virtues such as morality and altruism. In private life, understanding is needed to avoid dislike for each other, says Russell.
b. How can you become wise? Do you think what you are doing in college contributes to wisdom?
Answer:
Wisdom is a difficult concept to define, but we all recognise it when we see it. In times of crisis, wise people remain calm. They are aware of their limitations, seek alternative perspectives, and are aware that the world is constantly changing. It takes a long time to become wise. Patience and discipline are necessary to increase knowledge. Higher life satisfaction, fewer negative emotions, better relationships, and less depressive thinking are all associated with intelligent reasoning. A wise man is prone to making mistakes. You learn from your mistakes. It is important to realise that the more mistakes you make, the more you will learn and grow. Having a positive attitude is also a step towards becoming wiser. Whatever happens in your life, be happy, believe in yourself, and overcome difficulties peacefully. A wise man is not afraid of any circumstance. He calmly resolves the situation. I believe these are the sure paths to enlightenment.
A wise person treats others as they want to be treated because they know it will help them, not hurt them. We can become wise by following these steps:
▪︎ think before you speak.
▪︎ Realise that there is never a 'right time'.
▪︎ Balance selfishness with the collective good.
▪︎ Put things in perspective before jumping to any conclusions.
▪︎ Do not accept the status quo blindly.
▪︎ Don't act impulsively-have a purpose and a goal.
▪︎ Accept other people for who they are.
▪︎ The cover may be beautiful, but the book may not.
▪︎ Don't judge others; try to understand them.
▪︎ Think positive thoughts and repeat affirmations.
Yes, I think what we are learning and doing in college contributes a lot to knowledge. Knowledge is gathered from learning and education, whereas wisdom is gathered from day-to-day experiences in our school. We learn many practical abilities in our school life that help us make good decisions in life.
The wisdom that students learn in school teaches them to understand things from different perspectives of time and space. It also enhances people's ability to think abstractly and critically, to express ideas clearly in speech and writing, and to make intelligent decisions.
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