Light of Wisdom
The columns address social issues prevalent of that time in our all so complex society.
In every society there are people who would observe the society and provide insightful commentaries on social matters, often helping others realize problems and suggest timely solutions. Greeks had oracles, and most cultures had the role assigned to elderly people, popularly known as the “wise old men”.
What is it that differentiates these wise people from other members of the society? “Their Wisdom”, seems to be the obvious answer.
But what clearly, is wisdom?
It is often said that: “In wisdom, it is important to know (and acknowledge) what you don’t know.”
However knowing one’s limits is not the sole attribute of a wise person. Wise people are very knowledgeable people. Aristotle, Descartes, Nicholas Maxwell, Plato for example, all have theories of wisdom that require a wise person to have knowledge of some sort. All of these views very clearly distinguish knowledge from mere expertise on some subject. Moreover, all of these views maintain that wise people know “what is important.”
Wisdom is often considered to be a trait that can be developed by experience, but not taught. When applied to practical matters, the term wisdom is synonymous with prudence. The status of wisdom or prudence as a virtue is recognized in cultural, philosophical and religious sources.
A standard philosophical, definition says that wisdom consists of making the best use of available knowledge. As with any decision, a wise decision may be made with incomplete information.
In addition to experience there are a variety of other avenues to gaining wisdom. For example, Freethinkers and others believe that wisdom may come from pure reason and perhaps experience, while others believe that it comes from intuition or spirituality.
The Buddha has much to say on the subject of wisdom including:
• He who arbitrates a case by force does not thereby become just. But the wise man is he who carefully discriminates between right and wrong.
In Taoism Practical Wisdom may be described as knowing what to say and when to say it.
Here are some quotations about wisdom,
"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom; though it cast all you have, get understanding." ― [Proverbs 4:7]
"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." ― Mark Twain
"Patience is the companion of wisdom." ― St. Augustine
"All I know is that I know nothing." ― Socrates
"Above all else, the greatest gift and the most wondrous blessing hath ever been and will continue to be Wisdom." - Bahá’u’lláh
Wise people want to find out. Wise people are reality seekers.
Almost by definition, reality seekers remain open-minded, flexible, and receptive. They know that all explanations, models, and metaphors are just pointers to truth and crude maps of reality. All are approximate and partial. Further refinement of the maps is always in order. And since wise people are not ego-attached to their present views, when they do get new data, or flip to a new perspective, their worldviews and explanatory words change.
A reality-seeking attitude can also help us find ethical and moral truth. Staying open is often uncomfortable. The pain of uncertainty, of growing, comes with the territory of human existence.
Wise people have learned how to deal with reactive impulses so they don't become prolonged reactive states of mind, and so they don't result in reactive behavior. For the most part, wise people live non-reactively. They live the present moment from a center of awareness, acceptance, energy, basic goodness, and quiet joy.
Wise people live their daily lives in accord with wise perspectives and wise values. As a result, their actions make the world around them a better place. They help others to grow. They live compassionately. They resolve conflicts and in other ways maximize harmony and general well-being.
Wisdom unlike intelligence is purely culture-specific.
A wise man can learn from another man's experience; a fool cannot learn even from his own.
Modern times have brought newer avenues for such wise men to share their thoughts and ideas. Such avenues include the print and the electronic media. While such media remains crowded with many men, some ultimately stand out, not because of their extended presence but for the ideas they present.
Columnists are competent observers of the society, who provide commentary on subjects most important to their audience as a whole, one of them is Manzoor Kohyar.
As discussed earlier, problems arise in complex societies, and our society is no different. As a largely static-complex society, it harbors many problems which threaten the individuals as much as the society itself.
The columns are analysis of social experiences, describing the process that leads to social problems and providing their solutions, as well.
The columns contain collective wisdom, presented in creative yet simple manner.
The articles address the following topics:
• Inequality,
• Democracy,
• Education,
• Deterioration of towns,
• Insistence on new social contract,
• Gender-bias,
• Issues pertaining to minorities,
• Sports,
• Commentary on prayers,
• International ethical values,
• Discrimination,
• Socio-Political problems.
It is hoped that the reader will thoroughly enjoy the articles and appreciate their practicality.
’B’alach Hussain