This chapter is simultaneously the one that I was most proud of (as it contained pretty much the only original thinking in the book, the neologisms ‘asophic’ and ‘apathistic stance’) but also the one that I would most revise if writing it again.
I think wisdom has always been in short supply. Our modern problem is that our capacity to make stupid mistakes with terrible consequences has far outstripped our small amount of wisdom and the resources of the earth.
I agree it has always been in short supply, what I think is different in our society is that it has - until very recently - been actively against wisdom, as a result of the idolatry of science. As the reign of science comes to an end, wisdom is getting a look-in again.
I think wisdom has always been in short supply. Our modern problem is that our capacity to make stupid mistakes with terrible consequences has far outstripped our small amount of wisdom and the resources of the earth.
I agree it has always been in short supply, what I think is different in our society is that it has - until very recently - been actively against wisdom, as a result of the idolatry of science. As the reign of science comes to an end, wisdom is getting a look-in again.