Essay – Wisdom finds truth
Wisdom finds truth Essay: The aforementioned quote, “ Wisdom finds truth” is an aphoristic version of a popular saying “Wisdom is found only in truth” as professed by the German polymath JohannWolf von Goethe in the mid-18th Century. The aspects of truth and wisdom can also be found in Indian traditional philosophies such as Hinduism which describes knowledge as ‘Gyan’ and the truth as ‘Satya’ as documented in the Vedas. In both western and eastern philosophies, wisdom and truth have been identified as inextricably associated with one another.
Discussion
Indian philosophy of ‘Hinduism’ professes, “Satyameva Jayate” referring that only the recognition and comprehension of the ultimate truth through enriched wisdom can lead to victory in life. Truth can be defined as the embodiment of facts, information, things and events that can be justified by both objective analyses as well as subjective analysis by an individual. For instance, the earth’s revolution around the sun causes the phenomenon of day and night. It appeals to individuals’ logical and rational faculties for Nicolaus Copernicus stated it in his radical theory of the Universe in 1543. The same phenomenon also appeals to our subjective faculties such as our moods and emotions. In general human beings are active during the day while at rest during the night. On the other hand, wisdom can be defined as the ability to acquire substantial and meaningful experiences to justify knowledge that facilitates individuals to make judgments. In the context of the aforementioned instance, an individual will require to have experienced both day and night and characterize day as the period marked by the rising of the sun while night as the period marked by the setting of the sun. This experience enables an individual to judge the difference between day and night.
Truth and Wisdom are interdependent aspects of human existence. They are futile without one another. T.S. Eliot professed, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information ?’ Eliot signifies that knowledge and wisdom are not the same things. Knowledge simply refers to a group of accepted information whereas wisdom is the ability of an individual to decipher the authenticity of the acquired knowledge. For instance, during Copernicus’ time, society was dominantly influenced by the clergy hence civilians of Poland and worldwide believed the phenomenon of day and night is caused by the Sun’s rotation around the sun. Hence, the knowledge gained through acquired information from the clergymen was illegitimate. It was Copernicus’ wisdom that revealed the truth of the natural phenomenon of day and night.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wisdom and truth are two aspects of human existence that are inextricable with one another. Wisdom provides individuals with the skill of acquiring legitimate information and meaningful experiences that substantiate the knowledge and encourages the process of seeking truth. Truth in turn is the most legitimate source of knowledge as justified by Copernicus’s‘ Radical Theory.’
FAQs
Q1. Who professed the aforementioned quote?
Ans: “Wisdom is found only in truth” was professed by the German polymath JohannWolf von Goethe in the mid 18th Century.
Q2. How are truth and wisdom described in India?
Ans: The aspects of truth and wisdom can also be found in Indian traditional philosophies such as Hinduism which describes knowledge as ‘Gyan’ and the truth as ‘Satya’ as documented in the Vedas.