The Search for Wisdom

"Where shall wisdom be found?" Harold Bloom queried in his book of that same title. He suggests that we shall find "wisdom" within the Literature of the Ancients. That would be, of course, for those so disposed or those with a proclivity toward the Literature of the Ancients.

Throughout the earliest civilizations, wisdom was found in mythology. Scholar Joseph Campbell cited four instructive functions of mythology that include mystical, cosmological, sociological and pedagogical components. These components reflect the individual's relationship to existence, the universe, to others and to the stages of life, respectively. The hero myth is the means or the tool by which to convey instructional wisdom.

As technology progressed, the conveyance of wisdom and mythology transitioned from an oral tradition to the written word.

Presently, the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) released findings that suggest 43% of the U.S. adult population (roughly 93 million people) scored at a basic level or below in prose literacy. 44% of the U.S. population or 95 million people are at an "intermediate" level when it comes to prose literacy. "Intermediate" defined as being able to perform moderately challenging literacy activities. 13% or 28 million are considered proficient. The latter showing the most significant decline since1992.

A 1999 National Household Education Survey (Wirt) further suggested that 50% of the literate population read one book over a six month period.

Thus the greater portion of people must seek their "wisdom" elsewhere. Some people find wisdom, for better or worse, through the Famous whether it be on film or in media. They watch the Famous embark on the hero's journey. This instructive journey is a progression through time, and it is demarcated by the departure from their former self, initiation to the trials and tribulations of a tumultuous life and their subsequent return. Upon their return, they bear wisdom for others and, directly or indirectly, impart this wisdom to others.

Hero worship of the Famous has evolved into a pseudo-religious experience. Rituals have been created by which we pay homage to the Famous. These iconic images serve as archetypes to our Jungian anima-animus and persona.

A portion of human beings labored extensively throughout the scientific revolution to offer explanations concerning the natural world. That inquisitive nature gradually evolved from explaining nature to control over nature. Consequently, ancient belief systems were diminished as we learned of our capacity to be god-like.

With the advent of reality television, the pool of Famous has been watered down and their influence diminished. People learned, just as we did during the Middle Ages, of our capacity to be god-like, to be one of the Famous.

Once again, the greater portion of people must seek their "wisdom" elsewhere. But where shall they find it? Once found, will they try to overcome it? Will they aspire to be god-like?