(10) Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the Kedemites and than all the wisdom of the Egyptians. (11) He was the wisest of all men: [wiser] than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalkol, and Darda the sons of Mahol. His fame spread among all the surrounding nations. (12) He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered one thousand and five. (13) He spoke about trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall; and he spoke about beasts, birds, creeping things, and fishes. (14) Men of all peoples came to hear Solomon’s wisdom, [sent] by all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.
Limits of Knowledge
Solomon's wisdom may have been greater than others but according to the above verse, where did this wisdom lead him at the end of his life?
(23) All this I tested with wisdom. I said I would be wise, but it eludes me. (24) As for what is, it is far off and very deep; who can find it? (25) I put my mind to studying, exploring, and seeking wisdom and the reason of things, and to studying wickedness, stupidity, madness, and folly.
(15) In my own brief span of life, I have seen both these things: sometimes a good man perishes in spite of his goodness, and sometimes a wicked one endures in spite of his wickedness. (16) So don’t overdo goodness and don’t act the wise man to excess, or you may be dumbfounded. (17) Don’t overdo wickedness and don’t be a fool, or you may die before your time. (18) It is best that you grasp the one without letting go of the other, for one who fears God will do his duty by both.
(29) But, see, this I did find: God made men just, but they have engaged in too many contrivances.
Can you think of any "contrivances" that humanity spends too much time worrying about?
What is an example of a human endeavor in history that made the world less just, less perfect, and actually caused harm?
(16) For I have set my mind to learn wisdom and to observe the business that goes on in the world—even to the extent of going without sleep day and night— (17) and I have seen all that God brings to pass. Indeed, man cannot guess the events that occur under the sun. For though a man tries to discover it and yet will not find it; and even if a sage should think to know it then he would not be able to find it.
How does the above verse seem to contradict what we learned about Kohelet in last week's class? (Hint: We also read the phrase "under the sun")
Read the two verses below. What do these verses teach us?
_____
Now read the next two verses. What do they teach us?
To increase learning is to increase heartache.
Do you think having wisdom is necessarily advantageous? In what ways might wisdom actually make life harder?
"Knowledge is Power" vs. "Ignorance is Bliss" Which do you agree with and why?
Philosophize This! Episode #63
No matter how immediately ungratifying an educational experience may seem on the surface...it usually leads to my life being better in some way, right? Knowledge is power. I learn new things and I create for myself a richer, fuller understanding of the universe. I can list off a thousand examples of how learning things makes me less ailed by ignorance... or clouded by superstition like some member of a pygmy tribe. > Knowledge brings opportunities that you wouldn't otherwise have..by that I mean that more opportunities present themselves to you in this world because of this knowledge that you have.You can look around at the world and appreciate things more than other people...in this way knowledge broadens our vision of what the universe is...it makes everything in this small very limited, community that you live in...bigger...more exciting...more interesting.