- Watching
- Doing
Another way to put it is: 1. Observation or 2. Participation
Children learn most things by watching. Adults learn most things by doing.
Which is preferable?
That depends upon what is to be learned. The first fact that needs to be stated is that learning can be divided into two categories because learning can occur in two different places of the human psyche (psyche being used by its 19th century definition: soul).
- The first location in which learning takes place is the mind.
- This is called knowledge
- This is acquired through watching
- The second location in which learning takes place is the heart.
- This is called understanding
- This is acquired through doing
The second is far more powerful as it serves to inform its predecessor as it is simultaneously educated. One can know something without understanding it, but it is not possible to understand something without knowing it.
- Friendship: If you know someone, you can tell me what he or she is going to do. If you understand someone, you can tell me why he or she is going to do it.
- Love: I knew a great deal about love before I ever felt it because I had heard old people speak of it in the most grandiose terms. I had always gotten the message that it was indescribable, but why was it so? It was so because most of the aspects of love can not simply be known, they must be understood - experienced, felt. That nature of love cannot be taught. It can only be learned through "doing."
- History: One thing that can never be fully understood is the past. Why do many students struggle with finding interest in history? It is because history can only be known by observation, not participation. Without understanding, there is an emotional dearth that creates a chasm separating history from emotional attachment. This is why this author, for one, is a skeptic of revisionist history. There is an old British saying, "Nothing is so false as modern history."
Is it better then, to learn all things by doing? Certainly not.
Many have been the times that I have been asked how I don't know if I'll like something until I try it, usually referring to liquor, substances, or any number of debauched and sensual vices. My answer has generally been, "Have you ever allowed a lawn mower to run over you? How do you know you won't like it unless you try it?"
There is an innumerable number of ills that can be averted if one were so inclined to learn through observation before participation. All the worst examples are easily available to our consideration before we partake of any activity that could lead our lives to shipwreck.
It should be the purpose of our lives to know and recognize the wrong and to do and understand the right and good. Observe and know first. Then allow prudence to dictate whether it should be understood or not.
The soul is comprised of the mind and heart just as wisdom is comprised of knowledge and understanding.
Knowledge is in the mind. Understanding is in the heart. Wisdom is in the soul.
Knowledge is noun, to know is verb;
ReplyDeleteunderstanding - noun, to understand - verb;
wisdom - noun, what is the verb for wisdom???
Knowledge is in the mind, which is a physical substance.
Delete-When someone says, "Point to your mind," one points at the head.
Understanding is in the heart, which is a physical substance.
-When someone says, "Point to your heart," one points at the chest.
Wisdom is in the soul, which is not a physical substance.
-Can one point to the soul?
Since the soul has not physical existence, it cannot be described as completing actions, and actions are verbs. It is therefore impossible to describe wisdom as a verb, due to the nature of the soul.
Hmm, I haven't think of it in this way, good point!
ReplyDeleteAlso, another property of true wisdom is that only God fearing people are able to obtain it. In other cases, it would be devil's or man's wisdom, which falls short of true God's wisdom.
"Many have been the times that I have been asked how I don't know if I'll like something until I try it, usually referring to liquor, substances, or any number of debauched and sensual vices. My answer has generally been, "Have you ever allowed a lawn mower to run over you? How do you know you won't like it unless you try it?"
ReplyDelete.....This is a statement that caught my attention. As humans, in the flesh, we can get addicted to those which you call, 'debauched and sensual vices'. There is no doubt we would 'like' these things, if we're human:) So the answer I would give someone posing the question, 'How do you know you won't like it unless you try it?' would be "Yes, my flesh will enjoy it, but regardless to if I've tried it or not, I am familiar with the end result of these actions, seeing it repeated throughout history, and in others' experiences. Possibly in moderation something may be harmless, but really nothing is harmless if it has the potential to become an addictive factor in life. Therefore, I won't get near it. That brings another issue to discuss; temptation.
How do you deal with temptation Joel? And also, as a young man, how do you apply it to your everyday life? And.......have you 'experienced' that Love of which you spoke so eloquently?
"Hast thou considered my servant Job?"
DeleteGod is recorded as saying this to the devil when the devil went about the Earth trying the hearts of men. Why did God suggest this? Simply because Job was someone that God himself considered dependable.
How do I handle temptation? With perspective and priorities. One of the most significant and indispensable traits of a good man is dependability. I always want to attain that. So, with temptation comes the opportunity to prove myself dependable to the God of the universe. That is quite a privilege and quite a responsibility. My perspective must match that of how God sees me in those brief moments. My priority is to be a good man at any cost to myself.
Many people profess to know Jesus, yet they would doubtless change the way they acted if Jesus were in the room with them...which He is.
Aside: Two people profess to know Jesus - 1. the wise and 2. the lunatic.
I want everyone who knows me to think that I am the most dependable man they know, God included.
"Hast thou considered my servant Joel?"
Yes, I have well known that which is called true love. I will briefly summarize it in the next post. Suffice it to say that it truly is all the things older people claim that it is.
Joel, I admire your dedication to true Christian values. I respect you deeply. Seriously, I know only a handful of people who have dependability to God as their life priority. This is precious. Stay strong. I pray that you would never be shaken in this decision.
DeleteA very good point. But I ask myself.....being so young, what is your reaction to those who tell you you are to young to know what love truly is? True love-the kind of love that time cannot diminish. Maybe you've experienced the illusion of love, or infatuation, lust, possibly. But love? Really? Have you really been given the chance? And, I'm not talking about family members, I'm talking about the kind of love that the Bible talks about between a woman and a man. Really, don't you think only those who have lived a while would know about that? Do you have the humility it takes to recognize that you are ignorant to that love, or have you truly experienced it?
ReplyDeleteAlso, without a doubt, aiming to be such a dependable man is an honorable feat, but do you let this image of yourself get to your head? Are you exceedingly worried about what others think about you that you don't realize what you come across as? The question is, are you a genuine in your actions and gestures? Or is it all a front that you put on in effort to appear to be a gentleman? Any 'good' man has to ask himself this at one point or another.........food for thought:)
When I was little, I watched a fireworks show with my older brother. He said, "Wait until you see the grand finale." I said, "How will I know when it comes?" He replied, "Trust me, you'll know." Throughout the spectacular show, I kept seeing amazing fireworks thinking that the grand finale might have started, but at the end, an unceasing series of brilliant explosions ravaged the sky. There was no doubt in my mind this time. It was the grand finale. I have heard old people speak the same about true love. You just know.
DeleteYes, as a young man, I despised the the all-too-eager disposition of young people to claim that they had found true love, and consequently was very careful before making such audacious claims myself. I never made such rash declarations until it was undeniable, not just in my heart, but also in my head, that what I had was simply love. I don't know what age is too young for love and I submit for the consideration of those who doubt the capability and precociousness of youth to designate a definite age at which one can experience real love. This would prove a most difficult task.
No I don't think that only those who have lived a while can know about that kind of love, though I certainly agree that the youth have an immensely greater proclivity to make shipwreck of it. How do I know it wasn't simply infatuation? This woman is long absent from my life. While I do not pine for her, but rather have let her go since years back, I still do care for her happiness. This is after pain upon pain that I experienced as a direct result of our relationship. But those things didn't matter. They didn't even require a request of forgiveness to drift into my file of "bygones." What mattered was whether she was happy or not. What I felt for her had permanence. If any will still contend that I have not yet experienced true love, I will listen openly and consider diligently. But I need to hear founded refutations before I can second guess what is to me the equivalent of the "grand finale."
Whether or not my self-image of dependability can go to my head is completely predicated upon the premise that I HAVE a self-image of dependability. I certainly make no claim of such; only that it is that to which I aspire. I have (more so to God even than to man) not always been a bulwark of impeccable fidelity. It is my history of sins that has necessitated my departure from the same. I have certainly asked myself all the self-searching incriminating questions I could think of. Am I putting on a front? I will take whatever measures are necessary to eschew such hypocrisy. I am certainly not worried about what others think; this I know. I am infinitely more concerned with my character than my reputation, knowing full well that reputation is a thing fragile in nature, built through years of painful endeavor and shattered at a breeze's whim. I have always said that when I die, if anyone who truly knows me can describe me with one word, I would hope that that word would be "genuine." That being my desire, who am I to claim any goodness as mine? Am I dependable? Am I intelligent? Am I a gentleman? It is not for me to say. May I always be the first to speak to my own deprecation and the most avid to covet earnestly every good gift. All I can say is that I aspire to be a Christian and a gentleman. And all that decency can allow me to claim with any certainty is the former.
Joel, if you believe that the true love of your life has already come, but left your life, does it mean that you will not be able to love again? If the "grand finale" already took its place, does it mean there is no point to expect another one?
DeleteI only liken it to the grand finale in the sense that, like that moment during the fireworks spectacle, I knew what it was when it came. It is not to say that that love that was mine was the "be all and end all;" merely that it will always bear significance in my life. That is the nature of permanence that love retains. I have no predictions as to my personal future with love, but am happy simply to do good and be good, so help me God.
Delete"The Grand Finale" then in fact was not a finale, but the beginning of your experience with love. What kind of love was this? It must have been unrequited if you pine after her, but you are no longer together. She must have treated you less than you treated her. This of course is an assumption. But what are your thoughts on unrequited love? Doesn't it make you angry? Or you really don't get frustrated with a person that you really really like and they do not respond? Or is that even love? And if so, is it really just a form of desperation or anxiety? Maybe that's what love is after all.......obsession. So what differentiates this obsession vs. pure, unrequiring, selfless love? Is there a certain connection required? On a spiritual level? Or do you believe in love at first sight? Is that REALLY possible?
ReplyDeleteOkay, the questions have been 'postulated'.
Let me know:)
No, I do not pine after her at all anymore. I merely want her still to be happy. I make no claims of her maltreatment of me.
DeleteUnrequited love is simply devotion for someone that cannot reciprocate. It does not make me angry or frustrated since no party is to blame when feelings in one are not equaled within another. So can unrequited love be called love? Answer for yourself upon the following premise: If you love someone, the only thing that matters to you is his or her happiness at any cost to your own. If one cannot be satisfied until another loves him or her back, that which the individual calls love is then tainted by selfishness. That is what distinguishes obsession from pure love.
I do not believe in "love" at first sight. That could only circumvent all the uninviting things upon which true love is built.
A great response:)
ReplyDeleteAnd what do you recommend to encourage affection?
For example, do you believe purely in the old-school ways of boy asks girl, or as equals, can the girl make the first move?
Better yet, does the Bible have any say in this?
(I'm not asking about anything marriage-related, simply courting).
The Bible gives no advice for ensnaring the affections of another, merely guidelines for those who are mutually interested.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am a believer that men and women stand on equal ground, I believe they have different roles. It seems to me that men have the responsibility of pursuit for two reasons. First, a system tried by antiquity is in little need of reform. Second, any chivalry in me tells me that it is the charge of men to relieve encumbrance from women whenever possible.
If you are a man and wish to win the heart of a woman, then you had better know how to make her really laugh. Also, never forget the weight that kindness bears with a woman who is serious and mature. In elaborate scheming, we often forget that the basic things are what count most. If you are truly a good man, let her plainly know of your interests so that she may respond accordingly. That is the extent of what you can do.
If you are a woman and wish to pursue, I will offer no rebuke. If you feel constrained not to pursue, my advice is to allow him windows of opportunity with which to work. If he is given clues and is interested, he will take advantage of them. If he does not ever respond, he is likely ininterested, and you would do best not to set yourself up for disappointment. Also, you might consider simply asking him plainly of his feelings. Many men ascribe great value to a woman of candor.
In either case, above all, remember not to try to make a good impression. Try to make an accurate one. Accuracy bears true love; false illusions do not. If you make a good impression that is inaccurate, both of you will be disappointed.
Every couple has a right to expect two things of each other: honesty and fidelity. Best, then, that a couple be not born out of dishonesty
Also, what is this 'true philosophy' your blog revolves around really based on? Or does it really have a foundation other than random thoughts and big words?
ReplyDeleteTrue philosophy is speculation upon abstract thoughts relative to life on any level that concern matters which cannot be scientifically proven, but better explained with logic, reasoning and common sense and best revealed through epiphany. In that is the blog's foundation, hence the apparent random topics.
DeleteI do not consider this blog to be a haven of "big words." Rather, my writing exceeds my poor oratory and the nature of concepts on this blog is of such subject matter as that which warrants and necessitates refined words to communicate the abstract thoughts that it contains. That is why every word is precisely chosen.