Wisdom, anti-wisdom, and the ethical function of uncertainty : the book of Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes in the context of Biblical and Greek wisdom theory
In Qoheleth, the limitations of Man are emphasized more than his potential. The unpredictability of human experience and the roÌle of Chance also have a high profile. Since this approach is not characteristic of the Bible overall, Qoheleth is sometimes regarded as i a non-pietist work, and ii a misfit in the Biblical canon. In the Greek wisdom tradition, however, this very emphasis on Chance is the hallmark of the pietist approach. The opposing, anthropocentric viewpoint is based on faith that Manâs calculating intelligence can plot a successful path to his selfchosen goals. Qoheleth, a Hellenistic wisdom book, and cast in this mould of Greek pietist wisdom, is therefore most naturally construed as a pietist work. Moreover, Qoheleth is integral to the Bible, which, like ancient Greek literature, reflects a tension between positive and negative evaluations of wisdom. In the Bible, this implies a need to clarify the dividing line between an acceptable, pietist wisdom and a destructive, antipietist âwisdomâ (anti-wisdom). Only Qoheleth directly addresses this need. The book asserts uncertainty as the dominant factor in human experience; and from this Solonic perspective, it assesses wisdom in relation
Gutridge, Coralie Ann
Wisdom, anti-wisdom, and the ethical function of uncertainty : the book of Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes in the context of Biblical and Greek wisdom theory. In Qoheleth, the limitations of Man are emphasized more than his potential. The unpredictability of human experience and the roÌle of Chance also have a high profile. Since this approach is not characteristic of the Bible overall, Qoheleth is sometimes regarded as i a non-pietist work, and ii a misfit in the Biblical canon. In the Greek wisdom tradition, however, this very emphasis on Chance is the hallmark of the pietist approach. The opposing, anthropocentric viewpoint is based on faith that Manâs calculating intelligence can plot a successful path to his selfchosen goals. Qoheleth, a Hellenistic wisdom book, and cast in this mould of Greek pietist wisdom, is therefore most naturally construed as a pietist work. Moreover, Qoheleth is integral to the Bible, which, like ancient Greek literature, reflects a tension between positive and negative evaluations of wisdom. In the Bible, this implies a need to clarify the dividing line between an acceptable, pietist wisdom and a destructive, antipietist âwisdomâ (anti-wisdom). Only Qoheleth directly addresses this need. The book asserts uncertainty as the dominant factor in human experience; and from this Solonic perspective, it assesses wisdom in relation
wisdom anti wisdom ethical function uncertainty book qoheleth context biblical greek wisdom theory qoheleth limitation man emphasize potential human_experience chance also high_profile since characteristic bible overall qoheleth sometimes regard non work biblical canon greek wisdom tradition however emphasis chance hallmark approach oppose anthropocentric viewpoint base faith man calculate intelligence plot successful path goal qoheleth hellenistic wisdom book cast mould greek wisdom therefore naturally construe work moreover qoheleth integral bible like ancient_greek literature reflect tension positive_negative evaluation wisdom bible implies need clarify divide line acceptable wisdom destructive wisdom anti wisdom qoheleth directly address need book assert uncertainty dominant factor human_experience perspective assess wisdom relation