OBLICZA GŁUPOTY. O WIEDZY NIEMĄDREJ I ROZTROPNEJ NIEWIEDZY
THE FACES OF FOLLY: ON EMPTY KNOWLEDGE AND PRUDENT IGNORANCE

Summary/Abstract: What is foolishness? What distinguishes foolishness from folly? Is wisdom possible without folly? These questions have attracted the attention of scientists, philosophers, and poets from time immemorial. Unfortunately, their efforts have proven unsatisfactory. While there are more and more dissertations on this subject, we are not making (significant) progress in cultivating wisdom, or at least in avoiding foolishness. This article has two purposes. The first is to provide a reminder that neither science nor philosophy can offer a definitive answer to the question of how we should act in order to avoid mistakes with our life choices. Yes, science equips us with—ever new knowledge about the world, while philosophy teaches us to be consistent in thinking. Alas, this is not enough. Both science and philosophy offer competing and contradictory solutions. Therefore, the second goal of the article is to defend folly, understood as a forgotten component of life wisdom. This wisdom, unlike the knowledge gained from books, is not available except as the reward for individual striving. No scientist or philosopher will look for it on our behalf.

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