In a message dated 3/22/2009 8:30:58 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, john.mccreery@xxxxxxxxx writes: Does anyone else here watch TED talks? The following is of particular relevance, I think, to recurrent themes in our discussions. _http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-zdh_bQBo_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-zdh_bQBo) John --- I find 'wisdom' one of the most complex ANGLO-SAXON notions. The Greeks were even possibly _more_ complex, and I never understood their idea of 'practical wisdom', say, behind the practical syllogism. The Greeks had a notion of 'episteme', for science (Latin 'scientia') which I do understand -- if 'magic' -- see Cage's recent film, "Knowing". Then they had terms for mere belief "doxa". But practical wisdom belongs in the boulesis realm, decision, and the boulemaic rather than the doxastic. Was Huckleberry Finn 'wise' in lying when he was asked if he knew an African-American? There is a conference, info posted on PHILOS-L, on this as being anti-akrasia! (I hold it was a white lie). The Wise or Sages in Greek look notably boring to me -- they were Never My Models: from Thales onwards. Life is to experience, not be know-it-all or a wise ass, as they call them. Cheers, J. L. Speranza Bordighera, etc. ----- **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220685763x1201394209/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DMarchfooterNO62) ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html