Wisdom

Hoover Dam

"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; it is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 4:6

I'm reading Francis Collins' new book, The Road to Wisdom: on Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust. I started it today, and in the first seven pages, he starts talking about what wisdom means. 

But what does wisdom mean? It is not the same as knowledge, though it depends on it.  Wisdom includes the understanding and incorporation of a moral framework. But it goes even further. When its's working, wisdom can lead to sober judgement about how to discern truth, and what decision to make when the path is not clear. It includes experience, common sense, and insight.

Do you feel like that sometimes we as a society have devalued knowledge and wisdom? We disparage people who have gone to college. (Understand that I do not mean to downplay those who have not chosen that path - I think we shouldn't sell either way short). We make fun of "nerds." It feels like we have lost sight of the value of study, knowledge, and wisdom.

Not only that, but we have begun to distrust science and logical thought. We do our "research" on Facebook and ignore true research by professionals. One only has to look at the number of people who refused vaccinations in the pandemic to see this at work.

And yet, Collins lines out the value of knowledge and wisdom. It increases our ability to discern truth and to make decisions when the path is not clear. I really think in our society we need to increase our ability to discern the truth and to make good decisions.

I'm looking forward to reading this book.