KNOWLEDGE AND FREE WILL
What is knowledge?
Isn’t our acquired useful information – our knowledge – as transmutable as an ocean shoreline? Doesn’t it subatantively change in its physical manifestations and reactive capabilities, over time? Could the acquisition of knowledge ever be the final existential purpose we seek?
What is free will?
Is it simply the capacity to independently act on and apply knowledge?
What do we really know about free will?
Are free will and choice prerequisites for truly loving?
And what is wisdom?
If wisdom is simply the judicious application of knowledge – potentially limited and fallible human knowledge – then is wisdom, let alone AI, equally potentially limited and fallible, as well? Where is the permanence we seek?
Yet, what if wisdom were the loving application of presently available human knowledge intrinsically rooted in free will, choice, and concern for others? Would love at least somewhat mitigate the limitations and fallibility of demonstrably imperfect human knowledge? What if wisdom was the loving application of knowledge intrinsically rooted in free will, choice, and love of God (loved as the source of all and infinite love) and, thereby, love for others, as – at least – brothers and sisters in humanity and all being in the same boat? … And what of concern for other life on earth… being in the same boat, as well? …And what of our loving use of our earth’s resources… being the only available boat?
KNOWLEDGE AND FREEWILL
I knew an Adam of bookshelves with miles coated in dust.
And tallest towers of numbers reducing to shards and rust.
And oceans of human creations from rivers that flowed to the sea.
Where tides of money and avarice churned in stark misery.
When engines made no sound as they flicked at the speed of light.
Dictating knowledge and garbage – scraped without love or delight.
Yes, that Adam knew much yet so little – most long forgotten in time.
Countless streams of ideas and process, lost without purpose sublime.
What needles in need of retrieving: what kernels of truth gray and cold?
Precious gemstones hard-won by miners with hearts bartered, bought, and sold.
Rubies, sapphires, emeralds – crafted to shine with such light,
Then twisted and turned into agents
of greed, subjugation, and blight.
Were love at the heart of his knowledge, how glorious that Adam could be.
Yet how can love’s wisdom prevail with man’s conflicted duality?
Jim Davis
jimdaviscreativearts.ca
Jim Davis Creative Arts: Paintings, Poetry, Prose, and Commentary 
Our ability to draw proper conclusions dependent on how deeply God has penetrated our hearts. Certainly that struggle with knowledge and free will is wonderfully depicted with both the beautiful painting of the ship sitting in the harbour while being confronted by both the lightning and the raging storm and the inspirational poem once again depicting the storm in our souls as we discern our life’s direction.That’s what I take from it.Once again so well illustrated Jim .Thanks for sharing.Rick
LikeLike
Dear Rick,
It is always a refreshing joy to touch base with you. Your faith in God and your steadfast love for others gently shines and reassures. They lift my spirits and hopes in these often sad and troubled times. Linda and I both highly value the friendships we have shared with you over the past half century. We know that you have many family and friends who have been similarly blessed by your faith and your love. Keep on shining, Rick. May God continue to hold you safe and love many others through your love.
Your friend since high school days,
Jim
LikeLike