Beyond knowledge: An inquiry into the nature and meaning of wisdom through a hermeneutic reading of selected sufi narratives

Date of Publication

1998

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy

Subject Categories

Philosophy

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Philosophy

Thesis Adviser

Rolando M. Gripaldo

Defense Panel Chair

Estrellita V. Gruenberg

Defense Panel Member

Claro R. Ceniza
Erlinda H. Bragado
Florentino T. Timbreza
Jove Jim Aguas

Abstract/Summary

This paper studies the nature of wisdom through a hermeneutic reading of 10 Sufi narratives using a Gadamerian framework. As a result of the study, it was discovered that wisdom can be characterized by the attentiveness to context, the recognition of various states of consciousness, the disidentification with the ego, the preference for holistic viewpoints, the awareness of the significance for holistic viewpoints, the awareness of the significance of chance events, the contemplation on death, the distinction between maps and territories, the recognition of the auspiciousness of certain conditions for learning, the recognition of the value of form in relation to content, and the recognition of aspects in the psyche or in the world which thwart all attempts to pursue wisdom. Wisdom was also discovered to be deeply entrenched in the narrative tradition, and could be described, succinctly, as the integration of the spiritual and the aesthetic in the field of practical activity.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Print

Accession Number

TG02787

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

various leaves ; Computer print-out

Keywords

Wisdom; Hermeneutics; Sufi literature

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