---
title: "Difference between impartiality and wisdom"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:difference-impartiality-and-wisdom"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/difference-impartiality-and-wisdom
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Difference between impartiality and wisdom

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2076 Chaitra, 5 marks
- Video: [Knowledge and Wisdom Summary in Nepali | By Bertrand Russell | NEB | Class 12  C.English #elopeeth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acr2goNGHc) — ELOPEETH
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/difference-impartiality-and-wisdom
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

What is the difference between impartiality and wisdom? [Knowledge and Wisdom]

## Short answer

Impartiality is fair judgment free from bias; wisdom is broader, combining impartiality with knowledge, proportion, comprehensive vision, and goodwill, enabling sound decisions beyond mere neutral assessment.

## Answer

In "Knowledge and Wisdom", Russell treats impartiality as one important element of wisdom, but not the whole of it.

| Point | Impartiality | Wisdom |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Judging fairly, without bias for oneself, one's group or country | Sound judgement based on a broad, balanced view of everything relevant |
| Scope | One quality or attitude | A combination of qualities |
| Content | Absence of partiality and personal prejudice | Impartiality plus knowledge, a sense of proportion, comprehensive vision and goodwill |
| Role | A condition or means of wise thinking | The end result: right judgement and action |
| Emotion | Freedom from selfish feeling | Freedom from hatred and fear, and positive concern for humanity |

#### Explanation
A person may be impartial and still lack wisdom if he does not have enough knowledge, or does not weigh all factors properly, or lacks sympathy for others. Impartiality helps us to escape from the "tyranny of the here and the now" and to see things from a wider point of view. Wisdom adds to this the knowledge, proportion and goodwill needed to reach a wise decision.

So impartiality is necessary for wisdom, but wisdom is broader.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How does Russell relate impartiality to wisdom?
   A. They mean exactly the same thing
   B. Impartiality is one important element of wisdom but not the whole of it
   C. Impartiality is broader than wisdom
   D. Impartiality is opposed to wisdom
   Answer: B. Impartiality is necessary for wisdom, but wisdom is broader. (Key point: Relation)

2. Besides impartiality, which qualities make up wisdom?
   A. Knowledge, a sense of proportion, comprehensive vision and goodwill
   B. Wealth, fame and power
   C. Speed, memory and skill
   D. Obedience, patriotism and tradition
   Answer: A. Wisdom is impartiality plus knowledge, proportion, comprehensive vision and goodwill. (Key point: Components of wisdom)

3. Why can a person be impartial and still lack wisdom?
   A. Impartiality always creates bias
   B. Impartial people never use knowledge
   C. Wisdom is only for the old
   D. He may lack enough knowledge, weigh factors improperly, or lack sympathy for others
   Answer: D. Impartiality alone does not supply knowledge, proportion or goodwill. (Key point: Impartial but not wise)

4. What does impartiality help us escape from?
   A. The need for knowledge
   B. All emotions
   C. The 'tyranny of the here and the now'
   D. Every kind of judgement
   Answer: C. It lets us see things from a wider point of view. (Key point: Role of impartiality)

## Related in Communication English

- [Difference between knowledge and wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Adifference-knowledge-and-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2
- [Knowledge and Wisdom: sense of proportion](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Asense-of-proportion-knowledge-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Russell: wisdom more necessary with knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Arussell-wisdom-more-necessary) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Knowledge without wisdom makes education futile](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Amere-knowledge-without-wisdom-futile) — Communication English, chapter 2
- [Interpret: wisdom and emancipation (Russell)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-wisdom-emancipation) — Communication English, chapter 1
- [Features contributing to wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Afeatures-contributing-to-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2