Philosophy is the unusually stubborn attempt to think clearly-William James
The dictionary defines philosophy as: the rational investigation of questions about existence, knowledge and ethics. However I believe that when pondering about life`s unanswered mysteries going about it rationally seems to be the wrong approach. William James was correct when he said that philosophy is an unusually stubborn attempt because its harder to ignore the little voice in your head telling you thats its not possible for life after death. Perhaps seeing "clearly" is being able to accept new ideas brought to the table by current philosophers.
Rain Falls; you mourn that your tennis game must be postponed; you are not a philosopher. But you console yourself with the thought, "how grateful the parched earth will be for the rain!" You have seen the event in a larger perspective, and you are beginning approach wisdom.
Being able to look at the larger picture is a key ingredient if a person wants to be wise. A large consumption and retainment of knowledge will make you wise, true, but that is not what wisdom if all about. As Durant said in his quote that to be a wise philosopher you must not only think about yourself and your own losses(the tennis game) but to think about all those other who may benefit indirectly from your losses; one mans junk is another mans treasure.Wisdom of others helps you to connect with others during your life which can make you very prosperous.
1 comment:
Assignment acknowledged Rachel.
Wisdom has to do with the mystical condition of accepting our present situation with contentment wherever we are. It doesn't mean we should stop striving to do better. It's a combination of being content with the Will of the Creator and using our own will.
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