The Druidic College

“These days people seek knowledge, not wisdom. Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future.” - Vernon Cooper
Druids aspire to associate themselves with wisdom above any of the many other desirable attributes. Our very appellation implies we have, or at least are capable of channeling, the wisdom of the oak. But how do we define and measure “wisdom?” What are the necessary composites of “wisdom?” Is it ingrained or learned?

Wisdom is an ideal that has been celebrated since antiquity as the careful application of knowledge essential to live a good and just life. Beyond simply knowing or understanding what options are available, "wisdom" provides the ability to differentiate between them and choose the one that is most suitable.

Various philosophical schools and traditions, many claiming to help foster wisdom, have over thousands of years attempted to define the components of “the Wise.” By and large, these schools have emphasized various combinations of the following; knowledge, understanding, experience, discretion, and intuitive understanding. Most importantly, they all include the capacity to apply these qualities suitably towards finding solutions to life’s tribulations.

Confucius stated that wisdom can be learned by three methods: Reflection (the most noble), imitation (the most easy) and experience (the most bitter.) Buddha taught that a wise person is one endowed with good bodily conduct, good verbal conduct and good mental conduct and a wise person performs actions that may be unpleasant to do but give beneficial results and does not carry out actions that are pleasant to do but give flawed results. The Buddha also states that one is not wise merely because they talk much, but one who is calm, free from hatred and fear may be called wise. By quietude alone one does not become a sage (muni) if they are foolish and ignorant. But one, who as if holding a pair of scales, takes the good and shuns the evil, is a wise man. He who understands both good and evil as they really are is called a true sage. In Taoism, Practical Wisdom may be described as knowing what to say and when to say it.

In Norse mythology, the god Odin is particularly known for his wisdom often acquired through various hardships and ordeals involving pain and self-sacrifice. In one instance he plucked out an eye and offered it to Mímir, guardian of the well of knowledge and wisdom, in return for a drink from the well. In another famous account, Odin hanged himself for nine nights from Yggdrasil, the World Tree that unites all the realms of existence, suffering from hunger and thirst and finally wounding himself with a spear until he gained the knowledge of runes for use in casting powerful magic. He was also able to acquire the mead of poetry from the giants, a drink of which could grant the power of a scholar or poet, for the benefit of gods and mortals alike.

In his Metaphysics, Aristotle defines wisdom as knowledge of causes: why things exist in a particular fashion. 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. The technical philosophical term for the opposite of wisdom is folly.

These are but few of the many thought provoking attempts at defining and describing wisdom. Decide, we must, which best suits us. We are not limited to accepting merely a single choice but may pick and choose from the most tasty morsels of each. Nonetheless, decide we must, for if we are to be successful on our quest, we have to have a clear and focused vision of that which we seek.

At this Alban Elued, the second coming of balance in our ‘world’ and the Apple Moon, I bid you a safe and snug passage through the dark season fast approaching. In these Spartan times, may your harvests be rich and sustaining. May we all use the upcoming time well.

“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” - George Bernard Shaw

Slainte!

Ollam In Ruadh Rofhessa
Archdruid OSO, and Chosen Chief, SOG