2006-09-25 06:32:42 · 8 answers · asked by DNE 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
it's obvious that wisdom and power are not incompatible.
Persons like Gandhi, Mandela, and if you follow Harry potter, Albus Dumbledore are shining examples of this assertion.
Wisdom attracts power, so to speak. A wise person is very difficult to ignore isn't he? There's only so much a person can do to ignore truth...
I think that wisdom cultivates an intelligence which is the ability to mitigate troublesome situations and extract the optimum solution with respect to any given scenario.
Wisdom, if i'm not wrong, is the compromise between extreme viewpoints. Extreme opinions would tend towards belligerence if not arbitrated carefully and judiciously. I think wisdom strikes a level balance between the fighting opinions and, in ultimate effect, forges a compromise, thus preventing problematic conditions from continuing.
When someone assumes the role of an arbitrator, automatically an aura of power is unconsciously conferred upon them. This is the person the masses look to when strife arises among them and they are powerless to stop it themselves, and the cry goes up- "Oh great wise one, help us!"
Even in a materialistic sense, people would flock towards wise men in pursuit either of self-improvisation or just due to being driven by the idea that the wise would offer protection.
Wisdom, therefore i believe, must inevitably lead to power. However that need not mean that the powerful are all wise.
Wisdom is not a pre-requisite of power; power is an offshoot of wisdom...
2006-09-25 08:10:30 · answer #1 · answered by bm_rousseau 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha, I think just the opposite. You see, most people in power try, or end up, ruling his-her kingdom in stupidity so that he-she will not be over ruled. The wise people usually are found to be guilty of some crime (justified by the ruler) and killed. So that the people may not question authority of the one in power. Wisdom is dangerous.
2006-09-25 18:12:03 · answer #2 · answered by Sirius Black 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With great power comes great responsibility! However, just because you have power doesn't mean that you are wise. And vice versa. Still, these two can be compatible. I do think it takes time for the two of them to come together. Usually, one cannot aquire both at the same time.
2006-09-25 13:47:29 · answer #3 · answered by LoveMyLife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I believe that wisdom is power because wisdom is knowledge put into action wcich is profoundly powerful.
2006-09-25 13:41:08 · answer #4 · answered by peg the leg 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the situation... there are times when a wise person is needed to be in power and being wise, they have the wisdom to take and use power properly. You can be wise and powerful in that order almost always, but you cant always be powerful and wise.
2006-09-25 13:38:15 · answer #5 · answered by Pravus Invictus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Schilling wrote of "the will"
Nietzsche further the idea with "the will to power"
ultimately, the only power an individual has is the power over him/her self...and that can lead to wisdom....
[a really broad paraphrase of Nietzsche...]
2006-09-25 13:37:12 · answer #6 · answered by Gemelli2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowledge is power. Power can corrupt.
Rev. Steven
2006-09-25 15:06:59 · answer #7 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
love brings wisdom and it's so powerful, you will never believe this. just jocking, of course, sooner or later you will find out too. justOne
2006-09-25 15:44:16 · answer #8 · answered by justOne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋