We can only truly estimate what we have achieved and where the limits of our ability were when our own strength is weakening. (G. H. von Wright: Tieto ja ymmärrys. Otava 1999)

At the same time as the Chinese were celebrating the successful space flight of the first taikonaut, Yang Liwei, I went to the library to get the "Book of Mencius" consisting of the teachings of the philosopher who lived 2500 years ago. Wisdom and stupidity seem to remain unchanged throughout the course of times. Differently from stupidity, though, one does not come across wisdom in just about any corner. At the same time I am also reading "Tieto and ymmärrys" [Knowledge and understanding], a comprehensive work by von Wright. It includes three of his main books: "Tiede ja ihmisjärki" [Science and human reason], "Minervan pöllö" [The owl of Minerva] and "Ihminen kulttuurin murroksessa" [Person in the crisis of culture]. Using these marvellous books, I try to analyse my own self-critical understanding.

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