Episode 1487: Do you use your mind or your brain?

Socrates, said "I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing." This statement is derived from Plato's account of Socrates' philosophy and teachings, particularly in Plato's work "Apology."

In the "Apology," Socrates discusses his own wisdom and knowledge. He argues that he is wiser than others because he recognizes the limitations of his own knowledge. While others may claim to possess knowledge they do not have, Socrates acknowledges his ignorance and believes that true wisdom comes from recognizing one's own lack of knowledge.

Here's a more detailed passage from Plato's "Apology"

"I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing; whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know."

So, while Socrates did not explicitly state, "Those who think they know everything know nothing," this idea reflects his philosophy of recognizing one's own ignorance as a path to wisdom. It emphasizes the importance of humility and the awareness of one's intellectual limitations. Wisdom and knowledge are related concepts, but they have distinct meanings and characteristics:

Knowledge:

Definition: Knowledge refers to the information, facts, and skills acquired through education, experience, or research. It is the understanding and awareness of facts, information, and concepts.

Source: Knowledge can be gained through reading, studying, formal education, observation, and practical experience.

Nature: It is often objective and can be measured or tested. It is about knowing the "what" and the "how" of things.

Example: Knowing that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure is a piece of knowledge.

Wisdom:

Definition: Wisdom is the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on knowledge, experience, and good judgment. It involves the application of knowledge in a practical, thoughtful, and discerning manner.

Source: Wisdom is often gained through life experiences, reflection, critical thinking, and an understanding of human behavior and values.

Nature: It is subjective and often involves a deeper understanding of the complexities of life. Wisdom is more about the "why" and the "when" of using knowledge.

Example: Knowing when to speak up and when to listen in a sensitive conversation, even if you have knowledge about the topic.

So knowledge is about possessing information and understanding, while wisdom is about applying that knowledge in a way that demonstrates good judgment, insight, and an understanding of the broader context. Wisdom often comes from a combination of knowledge, experience, empathy, and reflection on one's actions and their consequences. It's possible to have knowledge without wisdom, but wisdom often requires a depth of understanding that goes beyond mere accumulation of facts.

During the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, Jesus makes a statement about truth. In the Gospel of John, specifically in John 18:37-38
37 Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them: I find no cause in him.

This exchange between Jesus and Pilate highlights Jesus' assertion that He came to bear witness to the truth, implying a deeper spiritual truth. However, Pilate's response, "What is truth?", indicates a certain skepticism or indifference to the concept of truth. This conversation is a significant moment in the narrative of Jesus' trial.

When God appeared to King Solomon and offered to give him anything he desired, Solomon asked for wisdom.

In 1 Kings 3:5-14, Solomon's response to God's offer was:

"At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, 'Ask for whatever you want me to give you.'

Solomon answered, 'You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

'Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?'

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, 'Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.'"

This highlights Solomon's humility and desire for wisdom in order to govern the people of Israel with justice and discernment. Because of his request, God granted Solomon not only wisdom but also wealth and honor, making him one of the most renowned kings in biblical history. Interesting isn’t it. God gave him much more than he asked for Wealth and Honor too. Hmmm

See wisdom = Truth
Knowledge = Not necessarily the truth
So truth can never be emotional or
People can be brilliant but not wise. I know many brilliant people but they are not wise.
I told a friend that wants to increase her knowledge of the Catholic faith and possibly learn it for the first time not to jump into the bible.
Why would I say that? Because Catholics that feel they are struggling in their faith 9 out of 10 times refer to the protestant method and not the catholic method. They think that if the jump into the bible miraculously the holy spirit will inspire them. Nope! Why? Because they have yet to earn the Holy Spirit.
Protestants are scriptura only (one trick pony) what do I mean. Protestants in their distain for the mystical body of Christ want knowing to do with the men that were involved in Christs church beyond the apostles. So, they dismiss anything that comes from the traditions.

Catholics are both Scripture and Tradition. Why? Because as Catholics we understand Christ gave us brilliant fathers, doctors and saints of the church to build our basis of wisdom and not just knowledge.
Protestants can quote chapter and verses of every book of the bible but have no wisdom and many times miss things that are right in front of their eyes. The misunderstand scripture. Why? Because they use their brain and not their mind.

The mind is developed only through a love of truth and truth only comes from one source and that is Christ. That is why I say if you jump into the bible without learning your faith or building a basis you will become very knowledgeable about the bible but you will have no wisdom of your faith.

Prayer feeds the Mind and therefore of Christ and everything ese feeds the brain. Why are so many people on medications anxiety ? They want to feed the brain. Anyone hearing this their first instinct is to object. No I am not! Yes you are because its your basic human instinct. To build a mind you first need to build a spiritual life. Our entire life is a battle between our brain and our mind.
Here is an example, your brain says “hey I'm only human and so I want wealth, attention and sex and so I go for it. Your mind says that won’t gain you eternal life but damnation. See free will requires you to build up your mind and not your brain.

Since today is filled with emotion and passion let me give you an example between the difference of the brain and the mind.
Woman by nature was designed to have an instinct towards the mind and not the brain. Why? Because the woman has to develop her children and have no time for the nonsense of the brain and must use the mind. This is why Sex between a woman and man are very different. Why? Because the woman is not just into the sensual nature of the sexual act, maybe at first but not over time. They must understand what does this man mean to me and if there is nothing there after the sex. See yah pal. Why?

I had a friend say to me that I like to collect woman. I thought about it and thought well that maybe true I never thought of it that way. Was that a reference to my sexual proclivity. Nope.

See woman by nature use their mind and if you get woman to a spiritual lever even more they grab it and so goes our culture. If you want to take a culture down what do you do. You hit the woman to use their brain more than their mind and when you do that you don’t just destroy the woman you destroy the culture. That is chaos and that is why Satan attacked the woman first from the very beginning and that’s what makes Mary the greatest human ever born. A woman! When Christ rebuked Mary in temple they said she then took it to her heart. But here is the actual passage.

Luke 2:41-51"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. Why didn’t they say both Joseph and Mary?
So all the guys listening to this may say Hey wall are you saying as men we don’t use our mind but just our brains? Nope I’m saying our instinct first is brain not mind and therefore to build our mind we must first learn and grow in wisdom through a spiritual practice of the faith. The woman just have it naturally. You show me a good spiritual man and I will show you a woman who remains in love with that man. I'm not saying all woman because life is full of exceptions but the majority. Why? Because the woman seeks by nature a higher level and seeks a mind not a brain.

So you are probably saying okay wall I bite. How do I become a good catholic and build my Catholic mind?

Start everyday by giving your first and last fruits to Christ. Trust me Christ will give you wisdom and possibly a bonus.

Why? Because you are working in the proper order for which you were born. To Know, To Love and to serve our God. Why? So we can be with him heaven

Many people will say to me you are trying to do too much or you are burning your candle at both ends. Bishop sheen said if you think you done enough keep doing it if it directed toward Christ. You only have so many years hear on earth so make them count.

So, take your wise faith and teach others. All for Jesus through Mary.