I was raised by my grandmother, and it's no exaggeration to say that I had a deep bond with her during my childhood. My grandmother passed away at the age of 87 when I was in my second year of high school, and in my memory, she was a very wise woman. When I was young, I didn't realize how wise she was, but as I grew older, I realized that every word she spoke contained life philosophy and a deep concern for future generations. I was always amazed by this.
So why am I suddenly bringing up my grandmother? The reason is that I wondered how my grandmother, who had only received elementary school education during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, could be so much wiser than me, her grandson, who was living in the 21st century. This question led me to wonder: 'Where does wisdom come from?'
It's hard to believe that we naturally become wise and intelligent as we age, especially since I've lived for more than half my life. It seems unconvincing. Age and experience can sometimes only cultivate stubbornness and prejudice. Moreover, the amount of knowledge and wisdom are never in perfect alignment. This is a truth I have come to realize through my own experiences.
I believe that wisdom is the ability to understand situations, judge right from wrong, and act in a righteous manner for oneself and others.
Where does this ability come from? I have learned a lot while raising children in Indonesia. I questioned whether an educational approach based solely on textbooks and principles could truly cultivate wisdom. Leaving Korea to live in Indonesia was driven by a similar concern, but recently observing my children's school life and relationships here has made me acutely aware of the limitations of the Korean education paradigm. I believe that instead of judging people solely based on their knowledge acquisition, we should foster an educational system that encourages critical thinking, ethical judgment, and social responsibility. This is how we can cultivate wisdom rather than mere knowledge.
Having a low test score doesn't make someone a social loser. Grades are simply a measure of academic performance. It's important to have diverse interests and experiences beyond academics. This will allow us to reflect on ourselves and understand society better. Ultimately, I believe that wisdom stems from experience and is perfected through introspection.
The reason I suddenly brought up this topic was because the state of Korean society, which I saw repeatedly in yesterday's and today's news, came to mind. Despite having learned a lot, achieved high positions, and acquired many possessions, I wondered where unwise thoughts and actions come from and what their root causes are.
Alone with a glass of alcohol, I ponder these questions in a drunken stupor.
