"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be . . . [e]ver learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
- 1 Timothy 3:1-7
With information at our fingertips, we are always learning. Knowledge is in no short supply, but what of wisdom? Wisdom is "knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action" (dictionary.com). Knowledge is necessary for wisdom, but it is not sufficient. Knowledge alone only "increase[s] sorrow" (Ecclesiastes 1:18), because information alone cannot change anything. Wisdom additionally requires both proper judgment and action. Proper judgment, unfortunately, cannot be learned through Google or Facebook. Proper judgment can only come through understanding Truth. Such understanding is gained only from experience and taking time to ponder and to meditate. Once technology causes us to stop experiencing things as they are and to stop taking time to ponder, we cannot have proper judgment and therefore cannot be wise. Once we lose wisdom, we will only have knowledge, and then there is no difference between us and our technology.
It's interesting how much information and data we can have at our disposal, but never gain full understanding of what it all means. Especially in the field of artificial intelligence, there is phenomenal work being accomplished so machines can act humane. But wisdom is a problem yet to be solved, and I contend that it cannot be solved with machines.
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