The "Power" of Aikido

Ross Robertson wrote: You might say, if I read you correctly, that power has to come first. Another might say that wisdom must precede. If I had to choose, I'd choose the latter, but I really think they best arise concurrently.

How does one develop real wisdom without developing real skill, experience, and understanding beforehand?

Michael Hacker wrote: How does one develop real wisdom without developing real skill, experience, and understanding beforehand?

My two bits...
Before I was allowed to handle a gun my dad gave me certain understandings which contributed to my overall wisdom on how to use that gun before my skill developed. In this way I think a person can gain degrees of wisdom before skill, though not before some form of understanding. I believe an observer can gain wisdom from events they had no direct part in. I'm not saying that's usually the best way to approach it, but in some cases I can see where direct experiences aren't necessary for wisdom to develop.

Michael Hacker wrote: How does one develop real wisdom without developing real skill, experience, and understanding beforehand?

Life?

Matthew Gano wrote: My two bits... Before I was allowed to handle a gun my dad gave me certain understandings which contributed to my overall wisdom on how to use that gun before my skill developed.

Information is not the same things as wisdom, though; it's only a piece of a puzzle that may never be completed.

I agree that information must first be imparted and absorbed to inform the ensuing practice. But even informed practice doesn't guarantee understanding, let alone wisdom. (I'm limiting my comments to the original word used, which was "wisdom.")

Once that information is exercised over and over through countless hours of practical experience, understanding can develop (but doesn't always). With all of that in place, wisdom might set in (but doesn't always).

Wisdom is so much more than mere knowledge; it is the ability to appropriately apply one's knowledge, information, experience, force, etc. Information can be imparted rather quickly. Wisdom takes a little longer.

David Henderson wrote: Life?

So... development, experience, and (possible eventual) understanding? :-)

I guess if the question is the relation between "power" and "wisdom,' in the abstract; okay, sure.

If the question is the "power" one might develop through a martial arts practice, whatever "wisdom" about such matters one has from life presumably doesn't just disappear.

But if there is a wisdom to be learned through the exercise of power, is there also a wisdom that may come from facing the limits or lack of power?

Is there a wisdom to be learned from, say, watching a loved one die, knowing you can't do a damn thing about it, dreading the end, but knowing its the only victory to be had -- an end to pain.