---
title: "Features contributing to wisdom"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_5/communication_english:features-contributing-to-wisdom"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/features-contributing-to-wisdom
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Features contributing to wisdom

Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading

- Asked in: 2071 Chaitra, 5 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/features-contributing-to-wisdom
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2

## Question

Describe the various features that contribute to wisdom with reference to the text "Knowledge and Wisdom".

## Short answer

Wisdom involves sense of proportion, comprehensive vision, wide knowledge, freedom from immediate interests, impartiality, freedom from hatred and fear, benevolence, and concern for ends. It uses knowledge for good, blending facts with compassion and balanced judgement.

## Answer

In "Knowledge and Wisdom", Bertrand Russell says that wisdom is not just knowledge but a combination of several features. The features he describes include the following.

#### Features contributing to wisdom
1. **Sense of proportion.** The ability to consider all the important factors in a problem and give each its right weight, so that no single aspect dominates.
2. **Comprehensive vision.** Seeing a problem as a whole, rather than from the narrow viewpoint of a specialist.
3. **Wide knowledge.** An understanding of the facts and of human affairs that gives a proper basis for judgement.
4. **Emancipation from the "here and now".** Freedom from the tyranny of immediate interests, so that one considers distant places, times and people as well.
5. **Impartiality.** Seeing things without bias for oneself, one's group or one's country.
6. **Freedom from hatred and fear.** Emotions such as hatred, envy and fear distort judgement; the wise person overcomes them.
7. **Benevolence and compassion.** A feeling of goodwill towards all human beings, which guides knowledge to good ends.
8. **Concern for ends.** Knowing what is truly worth pursuing in life.

Russell holds that this wisdom can be taught and should be an aim of education. Knowledge gives power; wisdom decides how power is used for human benefit.

## Check yourself

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

1. What is a sense of proportion?
   A. Focusing on one aspect
   B. Wide knowledge only
   C. Considering all important factors and giving each right weight
   D. Ignoring distant matters
   Answer: C. No single aspect dominates. (Key point: Sense of proportion)

2. What is emancipation from the 'here and now'?
   A. Freedom from immediate interests, considering distant places, times and people
   B. Ignoring the present
   C. Living in the past
   D. Seeking pleasure
   Answer: A. It is a feature of wisdom. (Key point: Here and now)

3. How do hatred, envy and fear affect wisdom?
   A. They improve judgement
   B. They are irrelevant
   C. They distort judgement; the wise overcome them
   D. They give courage
   Answer: C. Freedom from them is a feature. (Key point: Emotions)

4. What does Russell hold about wisdom?
   A. It can be taught and should be an aim of education
   B. It is inborn only
   C. It cannot be taught
   D. It comes only with age
   Answer: A. Knowledge gives power; wisdom decides its use. (Key point: Teachable)

## Related in Communication English

- [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×
- [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 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
- [Difference between impartiality and wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Adifference-impartiality-and-wisdom) — 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