Wisdoms Role in Reality (life as we know it)
Posted: Wednesday, February 04, 2009
by David Tanguay
"To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed, there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. On the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Webster's definition of reality is, "The quality or fact of being real" of course, reality has many different interpretations, however dealing with our world, as it exist as we speak. Let me give another definition of reality. "Things as they are" or "the way it is" Is life as we know it, and live it, here in society real. Oh certainly a humorous quote from Grocho Marx "I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal." This quote from Grocho Marx is indeed a fact. All of us as a part of the human species do need to eat to stay alive.
Let us look at another approach to clarify reality from an accepted outlook
Going about our means of acquiring the vital necessities of life is the first task we seek. Certainly if we were cast out on a remote island without any provisions for survival, our first task would be to find a source of food and water. Suppose after exploring the island we found a plentiful source of food and water we could rely on in keeping us nourished. Our next move would be to find sufficient shelter, to keep us warm, dry, out of unpleasant weather conditions, and to provide us with comfort. Then of course, our next move would be using our ingenuity in discovering ways of improving our way of life. Do you see what I am getting at here? These are all natural human acts that man has lived by since the beginning of time. The elements of our human nature not only include the need to satisfy our outward physical natural being. For this is where we separate ourselves from the animal species.
There are many who view Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest that is, observing animal behavior and forming a conclusion that the strongest of the species survive. However relating this theory with human behavior in society is absurd. Certainly, a strong lion may kill and eat a week antelope. However, the lion is not aware of himself as being the king of the jungle. Man has given him this title and crown. Man's nature is not equivalent to animal nature, animals only kill to survive; they live by their natural instincts, they are not driven by egos or a position in society to set themselves apart from the crowd, actually, animals are more gracious in a sense than many humans are.
Some of us view life in society as a jungle. Actually using the term jungle as an environment where animals live, such as a forest or the tropical lands in Africa. Theoretically speaking these are havens compared to our man made jungle of laws, rules, greed, ambition, pride, flaring egos, pedophiles, thieves, pollution, (must I go on.) when we downgrade an individual by calling them an animal, surely as a figure of speech most animals could be placed in a higher category than many humans.
Getting back to defining reality. As society's rules and laws nurture a child, to adulthood. The majority will find no difficulty in adjusting and conforming to the way of life, as we have always known it to be. However, dissenters who dare question our way of life are those who see the contradiction in what they have learned through their nurturing also instilled in their educational curriculum, during their informative years . "Reality is that which, when we stop believing in it, it doesn't go away" Phillip K. Dick
"Now to get back to Bonhoeffer's quote"
In this quotation by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I actually learned something about myself. I never really considered myself a man of great wisdom and many times watching the news on television I considered myself quite nave because I did not understand what they were saying a lot of the time.
However , in the quote Bonhoeffer points out trivial details quite often make it possible to see into the depth of things. Often the trivial details may lead to perceiving the essential nature of things.
Most of us have access to television. As we watch the local or world news on television, most of the so call realist will grasp onto the outward events. What I am seeing is the direction or course taken by occurrences happening in the world, also looking into the motive (psychological) or basis behind the actions of others.
When Bonhoeffer mentions, "to recognize the significant in the factual" as wisdom, This is where I find many who see from compassion the emotional state ("significant") in the incident, which has taken place. ("Factual") As opposed to those who only see what is apparent, (outward) and judge accordingly.
How some of us naturally look inward (how mental illness is detected)
Those who can identify the essential in a situation, which may be considered quite trivial to our modern day realist only, cannot describe in detail an explanation, which would be understood by those with minds distorted by society's standards of living. This lack of communication often leads many of our population into a category characterized by doctors of psychology as a form of mental illness. Many brilliant individuals living eccentrically in society are victims of a very disturbed culture. Anxiety, stress, depression, a great deal of neurosis, bipolar disorders, schizophrenic episodes, are mainly only words with no concrete explanations.
Often treating patients with drugs to deal with their so-called abnormalities is a way of (the patient) escaping the source, which constitutes the mental illness in the real world in order to cope with it. True, drugs are helpful in many cases, and needed to control the behavior in the maladjusted so the reality that confronts them may be easier to deal with. However, we could say many of the mentally ill are victims of a "conflict" we as human beings are undergoing with ourselves. Only there is so much research being done to cope with mental illness as an "illness" rather than getting to the root of the problem. (the cause)
Freedom and democracy often misunderstood
Animals will live in the domain chosen by their master, and adjust to the living conditions they have come familiar with .Of course, without question, for it is not in their nature to question they simply live by their natural instincts.
Living under rules as truths for no greater reason than having lived by such rules in a socially-accepted consensus all our lives does not make these truths truth. (Teaching a way of life by comparing lifestyles of other nations to our own) I believe a great deal of mental illness lies in our way of life in a sophisticated society. Although we all have the freedom to live the life we choose, we can only choose from what is available. We must live our lives by meeting society's standards. Dissent is a right and a passage of life, however we are expected to pass through this stage and look back at it as a part of maturing. (growing up) There is a certain comfort in sentimental conservatism, for even the most liberal minded individual will look back at the moments in their lives when memories of a pleasant experience in their life when living by accepted regulations was quite satisfying and comforting. So one whom strives to keep these precious moments in their lives (trying to maintain a way of life) are actually in the same category of those who do drugs or alcohol as a form of escaping their true duty in life which is simply to live and work for a better tomorrow. Change is a part of human nature; this world is not only for our own personal well-being. "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future." John F Kennedy
Our task here on earth is not one solely for our own comfort and reward; it is one of fulfilling our true purpose in life. We see so many dedicated people working in all fields of social work such as police officers upholding the law, psychiatrist dealing with the so called mentally ill. Some are so involved in their work; they are also victims of a form of escapism. To adjust and adapt to society (as we know it) mainly shows our patriotism, for we do all live in a country we can be proud of. To some of us it is taking the easy way out by conforming to an established doctrine. Caring less who is right and who is wrong, just going with the flow. However, it is in our nature as we evolve to realize controlling dissent is truly morally wrong. We must heed to the call, and follow our natural and spiritual instincts. "I have inserted a link from wikipedia encyclopedia to study reality in its many concepts" trying to use Bonhoeffer's theory in relating to current events, and world affairs. If we allow our minds to open to what is right before your very eyes, by looking at what may first appear to be quite trivial in detail could unlock a completely new outlook on the issue which confronts us.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)David, this was very interesting to read. I liked the quote by JFK you selected. Wisdom is the principal thing and in acquiring everything, the Holy scriptures tells us to get understanding. This article has depth and left me thinking. Thank you, David.Please log in to respond to this comment.I always enjoy getting comments from you Avis, thank you.Please log in to respond to this comment.I'm smiling. You're very welcome, David. Thank you, too. Have a great weekend!Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi david,this was an excellent article. the words were selected carefully, and have much meaning. a lot of thoughts came to mind while reading. such as the cruelty of some, who would treat our soldiers with disrespect.i don't agree with Iran, but i wouldn't spit on my son because he might be over there. i don't know how anyone couldn't be proud of our military, i am extremely proud of my son, and he is just beginning.there should have been parades and fireworks, but we as a human race, are flawed, and blamed the wrong boys for men's decisions.i'm proud of you, david, and grateful that you were protecting me. thank you,best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.Susan, I believe you meant your comment to go on my article "my job and my illness" this article has nothing to do with the war. thanks for commenting anywayPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi david,i always read your articles.i don't know how this got on the wrong page,but you're right, it's not for this article.my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.You've been working too much probably Susan, take care.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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