Greg Newing

Hey guys,

I've got a question I'd like to throw out in the forums - just interested to see what people have to answer.

Baha'u'llah has cautioned us against "academic pursuits as begin and end in words alone":

"The learned of the day must direct the people to acquire those branches of knowledge which are of use, that both the learned themselves and the generality of mankind may derive benefits therefrom. Such academic pursuits as begin and end in words alone have never been and will never be of any worth. The majority of Persia's learned doctors devote all their lives to the study of a philosophy the ultimate yield of which is nothing but words."

(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pg 169)



One I was wondering is: what could have been the study that, "The majority of Persia's learned doctors devote all their lives to [...]"? Maybe it was grammar and rhetoric in a general sense? Or, possibly usul al-fiqh (studying the origin and fundamentals of Islamic Law?), which was and is still a major area of study in the Islamic world today.... Of course, Islamic Law had its time and I would think that the study of jurisprudence to a degree would have been important..., however I can really see how some expressions of this field would fall into the category to "begin and end with words"...

But, what is more important and what I am wondering, is what could be some contemporary examples of these pursuits that begin and end in words? Or, what are some examples specifically in Western secular academia?


Any thoughts would be much appreciated!


Thanks,


Greg

cire perdue

Debate comes to mind, and many fruitless discussions on this forum. Sadly sometimes many of the interchanges here contain nothing of the spirit, but only arguments. That is truly words that begin and end in words. I think current political exchanges are qualifiers for that. The teachings of Islam became more and more abstruse in the 19th Century. The most successful seemed to be the one who could be the most difficult to comprehend.

arthra

We noticed that he had enumerated some twenty or more sciences, the knowledge of which he considered to be essential for the comprehension of the mystery of the "Mi'raj". We gathered from his statements that unless a man be deeply versed in them all, he can never attain to a proper understanding of this transcendent and exalted theme. Among the specified sciences were the science of metaphysical abstractions, of alchemy, and natural magic. Such vain and discarded learnings, this man hath regarded as the pre-requisites of the understanding of the sacred and abiding mysteries of divine Knowledge.

[1 Haji Mirza Karim Khan.]
[2 "Guidance unto the ignorant."]
[3 Ascent]

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 184)



Shoghi Effendi, in a letter written on his behalf, likened
sciences that "begin with words and end with words" to
"fruitless excursions into metaphysical hair-splittings",
and, in another letter, he explained that what Bahá'u'lláh
primarily intended by such "sciences" are "those theological
treatises and commentaries that encumber the human mind
rather than help it to attain the truth".

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 215)


Sciences that Begin and End with Words -- Bahá'u'lláh Never Meant to Include Story Writing under this Category

"Bahá'u'lláh surely never meant to include story writing under such a category; and shorthand and typewriting are both most useful talents very necessary in our present social and economic life."

...

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 30, 1932: Extracts from the Bahá'í Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing, a compilation, July 1980)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 103)

Philosophy, as you will study it and later teach it, is certainly not one of the sciences that begins and ends in words. Fruitless excursions into metaphysical hair-splittings is meant, not a sound branch of learning like philosophy....

As regards your own studies: he would advise you not to devote too much of your time to the abstract side of philosophy, but rather to approach it from a more historical angle.

As to correlating philosophy with the Bahá'í teachings: this is a tremendous work which scholars in the future can undertake. We must remember that not only are all the teachings not yet translated into English, but they are not even all collected yet. Many important Tablets may still come to light which are at present owned privately.
(15 February 1947 to an individual believer) [54]

(Compilations, Scholarship, p. 18)

ahanu

I cannot think of any at the moment. Physics, Biology, Education, and Chemistry, for example, are all disciplines that contribue to the world's well-being.

I want to note the study of philosophy itself is not vain. For example, consider philosophical ethical issues. Then, consider this scenario as a good example:

"Imagine yourself walking by a pond wearing expensive shoes. As you walk around you see a child drowning and there’s no one else around. Would you go into the pond and save the child, ruining your shoes in the process or would you value your shoes more and let the child drown?

Surely you can always take off your shoes before going into the pond but that’s not the point of the question. As Singer said, most of the people he asked that question to said of course they would forget about the shoes and just save the child. But then he poses a second situational question. Did you know that children are starving on other parts of the world and you can do something to save them with the price of your shoes? I was moved. I couldn’t stop thinking about it."

Doing Something | Jonel Fernando.com

The philosophical thinker is trying to get you to think to act.

While I cannot think of any at the moment, I think we should consider more carefully what Bahá’u’lláh means by "academic pursuits as begin and end in words alone." Obviously, it means be practical. Don't just study about global warming, for example, and do nothing about it. Also, it reminds me of something in The Book of Certitude about a certain man:

"For instance, a certain man, reputed for his learning and attainments, and accounting himself as one of the pre-eminent leaders of his people, hath in his book denounced and vilified all the exponents of true learning. This is made abundantly clear by his explicit statements as well as by his allusions throughout his book. As We had frequently heard about him, We purposed to read some of his works. Although We never felt disposed to peruse other peoples’ writings, yet as some had questioned Us concerning him, We felt it necessary to refer to his books, in order that We might answer Our questioners with knowledge and understanding. His works, in the Arabic tongue, were, however, not available, until one day a certain man informed Us that one of his compositions, entitled Irshadu’l-‘Avám, could be found in this city. From this title We perceived the odour of conceit and vainglory, inasmuch as he hath imagined himself a learned man and regarded the rest of the people ignorant. His worth was in fact made known by the very title he had chosen for his book. It became evident that its author was following the path of self and desire, and was lost in the wilderness of ignorance and folly. Methinks, he had forgotten the well-known tradition which sayeth: “Knowledge is all that is knowable; and might and power, all creation.” Notwithstanding, We sent for the book, and kept it with Us a few days. It was probably referred to twice. The second time, We accidentally came upon the story of the “Mi’ráj” of Muḥammad, of Whom was spoken: “But for Thee, I would not have created the spheres.” We noticed that he had enumerated some twenty or more sciences, the knowledge of which he considered to be essential for the comprehension of the mystery of the “Mi’ráj”. We gathered from his statements that unless a man be deeply versed in them all, he can never attain to a proper understanding of this transcendent and exalted theme. Among the specified sciences were the science of metaphysical abstractions, of alchemy, and natural magic. Such vain and discarded learnings, this man hath regarded as the pre-requisites of the understanding of the sacred and abiding mysteries of divine Knowledge.

Gracious God! Such is the measure of his understanding. And yet, behold what cavils and calumnies he hath heaped upon those Embodiments of God’s infinite knowledge! How well and true is the saying: “Flingest thou thy calumnies unto the face of Them Whom the one true God hath made the Trustees of the treasures of His seventh sphere?” Not one understanding heart or mind, not one among the wise and learned, hath taken notice of these preposterous statements. And yet, how clear and evident it is to every discerning heart that this so-called learning is and hath ever been, rejected by Him Who is the one true God. How can the knowledge of these sciences, which are so contemptible in the eyes of the truly learned, be regarded as essential to the apprehension of the mysteries of the “Mi’ráj,” whilst the Lord of the “Mi’ráj” Himself was never burdened with a single letter of these limited and obscure learnings, and never defiled His radiant heart with any of these fanciful illusions? How truly hath he said: “All human attainment moveth upon a lame ass, whilst Truth, riding upon the wind, darteth across space.” By the righteousness of God! Whoso desireth to fathom the mystery of this “Mi’ráj,” and craveth a drop from this ocean, if the mirror of his heart be already obscured by the dust of these learnings, he must needs cleanse and purify it ere the light of this mystery can be reflected therein.

In this day, they that are submerged beneath the ocean of ancient Knowledge, and dwell within the ark of divine wisdom, forbid the people such idle pursuits."

I think the passage above gives an example of an academic pursuit that begins and ends with words.

ahanu

Haha! I just saw Art's post above. I did not know we were quoting the same passage.

InvestigateTruth

In the west:
palmistry, psychic? Science of making alcoholic beverages? How to win in the stock market?

Celerity

Would literary analysis of works of fiction count as a science beginning and ending in words?

LordOfGoblins

Not in my view. I think he is talking about things like political debating (endless debates) of back and forth. Even some commentators who think they have solutions which are heavily word-based and not action based, many schollarly articles also esp ones that critique things like Bahai institutions.
pursuing abstruce knowledges like alchemy (without foundaiton in science), and some practices like some types of Buddhism that are very abstract and abstract philosophies etc, there are many more of course. Frankly anything that comes from the ego also fits this description.

Essence of GOD

philosophy

BruceDLimber

The best example I know of of the sort of discipline that "begins in words and ends in words" is the longstanding debate over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

Bruce

aidan

Dear brother not all philosophy is purposeless.Discussions on ethics for example benefit the greater good

Greg Newing

Thank you all for your answers!

And thanks for the quotes from the Writings

Really, a big help!