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Wisdom is normally associated with
lessons learned by those who are older. In the west we have a
perception those in the Far East go to sages who live in the
Himalayan Mountains to find wisdom. From my travels and experience, the Chinese and
India cultures do a better job of honoring the elderly than
we do in the west.
Scientists, who have spent their careers studying a specific natural phenomenon, are able to remember how to unravel their particular data, what stories completely describe the data, and what is true or right relative to the data. While it is true someone from the outside can sometimes reach a new and unbiased conclusion by looking at the data in a new way, in general it is appropriate to accept the wisdom of the expert. This way we do not need to relearn all of the nuances the expert learned during their years of study.
Theologians, who have spent their carriers studying the scriptures, likewise have found wisdom. In some sense, this is easier than applying the scientific method. I say this because theologians start with the scriptures, which are quite literally documentation of the lessons learned, experience, knowledge, and wisdom of the ages.
Starting with the end in mind can become an issue, specifically if there is a misinterpretation of meaning. This issue is graphically illustrated by the number of different interpretations there are for the same new Testament verses by different Christian religions.
Scientists look at this confusion, and can tend to throw the baby out with the bath water, specifically because it is impossible to reconcile opposing views as being knowledge, wisdom, or eternal truths.
In my experience there is a level of
intelligence
accompanying the ability to hold two opposing views in your
mind at the same time. As one learns to do this,
from both sides of each question, there comes a reconciliation of
the facts. An issue is the scoundrel who does this for personal gain
or to create pain for others. The
paradox is that
understanding, i.e. an identification, comes from studying irreconcilable
facts.21 An identification of
things that were, and are, and are to be. An identification of
things and processes which do not change with time. An
identification of things and processes which are truth.
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paradoxes