Choose Wisdom

Jason In our discussions, wisdom has been divided into two categories: experiential wisdom and mantic wisdom. Experiential wisdom is exactly what it sounds like; wisdom gained by experience. This, to me, makes sense. People who have played a sport for 15 years probably know something about it. People who hold a position in one industry for their entire careers could probably share some insight. Experience is easy for us to understand. It lets us know what we can and cannot do (such as below, where a monastery cat chooses to defy gravity.)

Or was this cat led to believe he could do this without prior experience? Mantic wisdom is granted by mysticism, prophecy, visions, and/or divine forces. It's the special effects of wisdom. It's the "God told me"s and the "I saw in a visions"s. Mantic wisdom, I think, is a dividing line in itself; those who follow the tradition and influence of the recipient of the wisdom will be more likely to believe it. Those on the outside will likely look at it more skeptically and critically. Experience is universal. Being told a divine secret or truth is tougher to swallow. When stories like Daniel, Enoch, the book of Revelation, there is a distinct difference in reception to the texts; some take them to heart, some throw them out completely, and plenty take some sort of middle road. I think it's interesting that one type of wisdom can be so well grasped and received and the other can be so dividing and controversial.