The Love of Wisdom

Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the [S]pirit of [W]isdom came to me. I preferred her to scepters and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her. (Wisdom 7:7-8 RSV-Catholic)

Philo-sophy: From Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία from φίλος (philos, "beloved") & σοφία (sophia, "wisdom"). (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/philosophy)


Few human pursuits are as misunderstood as philosophy, and few words are as misused. Many view it as some high-minded hobby of academic scholars and professors, disconnected from "real life", who sit on towers telling everyone how to live and think. Others view it as a supplement to science, politics and economics, studying the proper methodology for these, at least in a hypothetical or idealistic capacity, but ultimately overshadowed by these pursuits themselves. But there is little more deeply human, more spiritual and more important than philosophy.

As illustrated above, philosophy is the love of wisdom. Naturally, like anything, this has been used negatively in the past, with some using philosophical intelligence as a mark of personal superiority, for money, or for cultic practices. But wisdom itself is the source of the virtuous life (Wisdom 8:7; Plato's Republic and Protagoras). Misuse of philosophy is a betrayal of wisdom and, by disowning love of wisdom, is no longer philosophy.

I believe philosophy has had a tragic history. Despite being celebrated for centuries, it has never been as widely appreciated as it should be. No other academic field is as accessible to the common man as philosophy. Despite what many collegiate or academic philosophers say, philosophy is not based in how many ancient philosophers one has studied, or how articulately one can write or converse ideas. Rather, it is based in a simple love of wisdom, and a desire to rationally pursue her. Not only can anyone do this, but I believe the pursuit of wisdom to be the most essential and important human activity. As a Christian, this is even moreso true, as Wisdom is the path to seeing and knowing God, and to living in virtue. (Wisdom 7:14;26;28 - 8:7)

Truly, wisdom is knowledge of and adherence to Truth. With reason we can contemplate the invisible things of life, the abstract, the moral, the spiritual. As the only fully sentient beings in existence, driven by an insatiable desire to understand existence and our lives in it, to know what it all means, we can think about reality in a more objective way than any other creature. (Aristotle, Metaphysics I.980a21)

It has become increasingly difficult, over the history of philosophy, to view the topics of philosophy as anything more than ideas in the minds of people, our projections onto nature. Thus philosophy is said to govern our actions, our thinking, but that it has nothing to do with reality, which is seen as governed purely by science.

To truly see the objective reality of Truth, the ultimate object of philosophy, despite its understanding being governed by reason, is an act of faith. Truth is not a physical entity, or even a natural law. Truth is recognized by reason, but it is accepted by faith, for anything that cannot be seen or counted as apart of the physical universe can only be accepted by faith. This is why not only reason, but love is so central to philosophy. Love is the motivation of faith, the moving of the soul which empowers us to accept what we know without direct sight or complete certainty, just as spouses has faith in their professed love for one another.

I feel that, over time, love has gone out of philosophy. It has become a study, a science and a field of expertise, yet another facet for specialization. Until love is regained in philosophy, opened to all who love wisdom, humanity will live in starvation of wisdom, and Truth will slowly be forgotten.