Wise Judgement (Σοφή κρίση)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

Judgement is an intrinsic faculty of the rational mind, an ability that allows us to discern between just and unjust actions. It is through this faculty that we engage in reasoned decision-making, shaping our moral and intellectual growth. As beings of developed thought, we value not only our intellect, but the responsibility also that accompanies its exercise.

To judge wisely is to apply rational thought with care, balancing knowledge with ethical consideration. However, judgement is not infallible, it is susceptible to external influences, false impressions and personal biases. If we lack a sound and disciplined mind, our judgement can become shrouded, leading us to stray away from truth and wisdom. The refinement of judgement, therefore, requires constant vigilance, self-awareness and an adherence to reason.

What makes judgement viable and reliable is the foundation upon which it rests and the structure of the Logos. The Logos is not merely the spoken word; it is the intrinsic logic that constructs our philosophical enquiries, the criterion by which we assess truth, ethics and the moral implications of our actions. Without logic, judgement would be arbitrary, shaped by impulse rather than reason.

Our behaviour is a reflection of our moral excellence, which is demonstrated through ethical living. The contrast between good and evil is not merely conceptual, but is made manifest in the nature of our deeds. A just action is inherently distinct from an unjust one, just as wisdom stands apart from ignorance. Evil can never transform into good, nor can flawed judgement replace sound judgement. Thus, we arrive at the fundamental understanding that judgement is ultimately shaped by the authority of the will, which is the force that directs our choices and intentions.

In Meleticism (Το Ένα) the One serves as our guiding light, the principle through which we attain unity in thought and being. By aligning ourselves with To Ena, we cultivate inner harmony, allowing wisdom to flourish within us. True judgement is not an isolated intellectual exercise; it is a continuous engagement with the fundamental order of existence.

Meleticism teaches us that wisdom is not simply acquired through study, but through the fulfillment of virtue. To be wise is to recognise the function and potentiality of wisdom itself, so that we can understand that it is both a means of acquiring knowledge and a guiding force in decision-making. Judgement is an expression of wisdom, and wisdom is the vessel through which knowledge is refined.

We must dispel the illusion that mere intellectualism equates to wisdom. Studying philosophy or amassing knowledge does not in itself, make one wise. What validates our wisdom is not the accumulation of information but the quality of our judgement and our ability to distinguish between substance and superficiality, between the meaningful and the trivial.

The pursuit of wisdom is therefore, a pursuit of clarity. There is no greater truth than the discovery of one’s own undeniable truth. In reaching this revelation, we realise the deeper purpose of life. Yet, such understanding demands courage, for it requires us to confront reality with unflinching honesty. Justice must always align with wisdom; otherwise, it becomes a hollow ideal.

A man who claims to uphold justice, but speaks with venom on his tongue contradicts the intended virtue he professes to honour. His words, tainted with malice, spread corruption amongst those who listen. Injustice is not merely an external force, but one that can emanate from within and through deceit, arrogance and the manipulation of truth.

For this reason, judgement must not be measured by words alone, but by the actions that accompany them. A strong philosophical foundation enables a person to develop wisdom, refine character and cultivate moral integrity. The highest goal of judgement is not to condemn others but to build unity, civility and ethical progress. What progress can a society achieve if it disregards morality? This morality must not be one imposed by dogma or self-righteousness, but one rooted in philosophical principles, reason and ethical reflection.

Men who attain power through greed and wealth often forsake the wisdom of judgement in favour of self-interest. They impose laws not as instruments of justice, but as tools of control, prioritising their own dominance over the well-being of others. They believe in their own manifest destiny rather than a just cause, mistaking authority for righteousness.

Even those who rule under the banner of divine will cannot escape the inescapable truth of their mortality. No decree or law can shield a man from the fate that awaits all living beings. A ruler whose judgement is dictated by religious dogma rather than reason is not truly sovereign, because he is shackled by blind devotion and unable to perceive beyond the limitations imposed upon him. True wisdom lies not in submission to doctrine, but in the triumph of understanding over ignorance.

Contemplation is the most effective means of refining judgement, for it grants us introspection and clarity of thought. Through deep reflection, we extend our consciousness beyond the immediate and the transient, reaching into the profound depths of our intellect. The nous which is the higher faculty of reason is cultivated through the disciplined exercise of thought and self-awareness.

Judgement is flawed when it is not guided by rationality. We are not born irrational; rather, irrationality is a condition that emerges when we neglect the proper use of our intellect. To misuse judgement is to provoke the mind into error, distorting perception and leading to misguided conclusions.

It is far easier to judge others than to judge oneself. This is a fundamental flaw in human nature and the tendency to project, to criticise, to measure others by standards we ourselves fail to uphold. True self-awareness requires us to recognise our own fallibility, to confront our own weaknesses with honesty and humility. When we allow external perceptions to dictate our sense of worth, we distance ourselves from true wisdom.

Judgement is futile when it is based on falsehood and deceit. Any man can appoint himself a judge over others, passing verdicts and casting blame. Wisdom demands a higher standard and it requires us to abandon selfishness, vanity and the pursuit of power for its own sake. Without this self-discipline, judgement becomes an instrument of corruption, leading not to truth but to moral decay.

To be truly wise, a man must recognise the weight of his choices and the consequences of his discernment. Judgement should not be wielded as a tool for domination, but as a means of understanding and enlightenment. It is through this awareness that we cultivate virtue, uphold justice and attain the highest fulfilment of wisdom.

Wise judgement is not a passive trait. It is an active discipline, requiring both intellectual rigour and ethical sincerity. It is through judgement that we engage with the world, shape our actions and navigate the complexities of morality and truth. Judgement must always be tempered by wisdom, for without wisdom, judgement risks becoming mere prejudice.

In the pursuit of Meleticism, we realise that judgement is not an isolated act, but part of a larger philosophical journey that is one that leads us towards enlightenment, self-awareness and unity with To Ena. To judge wisely is to understand not only the nature of the world, but the nature of the self. Through this understanding, we cultivate a life of virtue, reason and profound fulfilment.

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