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Session 2 The Way s of Wisdom (Plural)

Session 2 The Way s of Wisdom (Plural). Recognizing the Variety of Wisdom Traditions East & West, Ancient & Modern, Sacred & Secular The Isolation of Wisdom Traditions: Parochialism The Confrontation between Wisdom Traditions: Either-Or The Dialectic between Wisdom Traditions: Push-Pull

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Session 2 The Way s of Wisdom (Plural)

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  1. Session 2The Ways of Wisdom (Plural) • Recognizing the Variety of Wisdom Traditions East & West, Ancient & Modern, Sacred & Secular • The Isolation of Wisdom Traditions: Parochialism • The Confrontation between Wisdom Traditions: Either-Or • The Dialectic between Wisdom Traditions: Push-Pull • The Dialogue between Wisdom Traditions: Both-And • The Cooperation between Wisdom Traditions: Harmony

  2. Wisdom Is…

  3. A Variety of Wisdom Traditions • East & West: Contemplative & Activist: Illuminative & Instrumental • North & South: Ascetic & Hedonic: Detachment & Enjoyment • Ancient & Medieval: Monastic & Humanistic: Solitary & Societal • Modern & Post-Modern: Empirical & Existential: Facts & Meaning

  4. The Dialectical Polarities of Wisdom Traditions

  5. Four Pre-Socratic Wisdom Traditions“One Man’s Wisdom Is Another Man’s Folly”

  6. The Pluralistic Ways of WisdomReadings on the Good Life, Edited by Steve Smith • Encountering Emptiness and/or Ignorance 1. Wisdom as Pleasure in Moderation (Epicureanism) 2. Wisdom as Detachment from Cravings (Stoicism) 3. Wisdom as Becoming Human (Humanism)

  7. The Pluralistic Ways of WisdomReadings on the Good Life, Edited by Steve Smith 4. Wisdom as Harmony with Nature (Romanticism) 5. Wisdom as Communion with God (Theism) 6. Wisdom as Authentic Existence (Existentialism) 7. Wisdom as Acceptance of the Universe (Naturalism)

  8. Ten Theories of Human Nature,by Leslie Stevenson & David L. Haberman 1. Confucianism: The Way of the Sages 2. Upanishadic: Hinduism: Quest for Ultimate Knowledge 3. The Bible: Humanity in Relation to God 4. Plato: The Rule of Reason 5. Aristotle: The ideal of Human Fulfillment. • Interlude

  9. Ten Theories of Human Nature,by Leslie Stevenson & David L. Haberman 6. Kant: Reasons & Causes, History and Religion 7. Marx: The Economic Basis of Human Societies 8. Freud: the Unconscious Basis of Mind 9. Sartre: Radical Freedom 10. Darwin: Darwinian Theories of Human Nature. • Conclusion: Toward a Synthesis of Theories?

  10. Wisdom Is…A Friend of Silence, Solitude, Simplicity and Serenity

  11. Wisdom Is…A Still Mind

  12. Wisdom Is…Self-Cultivation & Cultural Literacy

  13. Wisdom Is…”Attained through Versatility of Interests Variety of Associations” • Wisdom is attained through cultivating “the range and variety of attractions, as gained by acquaintance with the world, with men of merit, with classes of society, with travel, with eminent persons, and with the high resources of philosophy, art and religion: books, travel, society, solitude.” • Wisdom connotes “versatility of interests and variety of associations—as opposed to selective self-determination.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Conduct of Life

  14. Wisdom Is…“Harmonious Existence”-- Adapted from A.C. Grayling Health Power Fulfillment “Sheer Wondering Inquiry” as the Central Sane Activity Education as the Process of Life-Long Learning Safety Pleasure

  15. Wisdom Is…Rooted in the Intuitive Mind

  16. Wisdom Is…Questioning Our Assumptions

  17. Wisdom Is…Cultivating a Sense of Wonder

  18. Wisdom Is…Learning to LiveA fully Human Life

  19. Wisdom Is…Listening with the Intent to Understand, Not Merely to Reply

  20. Wisdom Is…Having the Patience to “Live the Questions”

  21. Wisdom Is…Being Awake, Receptiveand Aware in the Present Open Moment

  22. Wisdom Is…“Learned Ignorance” Beyond the Frontiers of Knowledge • The more we explore the frontiers of knowledge in any vital domain, the more aware we become of our abysmal ignorance before the sheer vastness, depth, complexity and ineffability of reality. • The more knowledge expands the more humbled the intellect becomes before that which may presently lies beyond our limited understanding and experience.

  23. Wisdom is…the Ability to Live with Uncertainties, Mysteries and Doubts

  24. Wisdom Is…“Loving and Living the Questions”

  25. Wisdom Is…Living in a Creative TensionBetween Apollo & Dionysus

  26. Wisdom Is…Apollonian & Dionysian

  27. Wisdom Is…Living with AmbiguityFlourishing? Fate? Futility? • The Optimistic View: Wisdom leads to Human Flourishing • The Middling View: Wisdom leads to Acceptance of Fate • The Pessimistic View: Wisdom leads to Knowledge of Futility All three of these views appear to be present throughout history. They reflect different life situations and different casts of mind.

  28. Wisdom Is…Inclusive of Human Moods 1. Sanguine(optimistic leader-like) Wisdom Says: Be cheerful, upbeat, positive and uplifting 2. Choleric(bad-tempered or irritable) Wisdom says: Be skeptical, question authority, expose stupidity 3. Melancholic(analytical and quiet) Wisdom says: Be pensive, reflective, detached, contemplative 4. Phlegmatic(relaxed and peaceful). Wisdom says: Be laid back, easy-going, content, enjoy the ride

  29. Wisdom Is…the Paradoxical Breadth of the Polymath & the Depth of the Sage

  30. Wisdom Is…Whole-Brain Integration Re-Presentation Objective Detached Analysis Mechanistic Reduction Quantity Measurement Calculation Control Presentation Subjective Participatory Synthesis Holistic Gestalt Quality Meaning Creativity Communion

  31. Wisdom Is…Psychologicaland Social “Polarity Balancing” Psychological Self: Individual Identity Social Self: Collective Belonging

  32. Wisdom Is…“Pluralistic Integration of Polarities”

  33. Wisdom is…Living in “All Quadrants and All Levels” of the Integral Reality

  34. Wisdom Is…Living Across the Emergent Structures of Consciousness and Culture • “The Ever Present Origin” (See Jean Gebser) • The Archaic Structure of Consciousness • The Magical Structure of Consciousness • The Mythical Structure of Consciousness • The Mental-Rationalist Structure of Consciousness • The A-perspectival Integral Structure of Consciousness

  35. Wisdom Is…Negotiating the “Spiral Dynamics” of Consciousness & Culture

  36. Wisdom is…Contemplating the Relationship Between the Three Horizons of Experience Monistic Physicalism Property Dualism Monistic Idealism H “Between” Humanity Male/Female Culture Society Civilization History N Below” Immanence Body Matter Nature Existence Discovery T “Above” Transcendence Spirit Mind Divinity Essence Mystery Integral Symbiotic Panpsychism

  37. Wisdom Is…The ‘Pluralistic Integration’ of the ThreeHorizons of Life, Knowledge & Experience The Ineffable & Encompassing Reality “Kosmos” Includes: -Transcendence -Humanity -Nature

  38. Wisdom Is… • What does “wisdom” mean to you? • Which “wisdom traditions” and “wisdom teachers” speak most meaningfully and deeply to you? • How ought our society and world live with “multiple wisdom traditions” that sometimes appear to be either incommensurable or incompatible?

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