We need the courage as well as the inclination to consult, and profit from, the ‘wisdom traditions of mankind.’

E. F. Schumacher

The Wisdom Traditions

Topic: Interfaith Pathways

We need the courage as well as the inclination to consult, and profit from, the ‘wisdom traditions of mankind.’

E. F. Schumacher

Ernst Friedrich Schumacher, born on August 19, 1911, in Germany, emerged as a visionary economist whose ideas have left an indelible mark on the way we perceive economic systems and their impact on society and the environment. Schumacher's journey took him from his roots in Germany to becoming a pivotal figure in British economic thought, particularly through his role as Chief Economic Advisor to the British National Coal Board, a position he held for two decades. His profound understanding of economics, combined with a deep concern for human values and environmental sustainability, propelled him to explore and advocate for what he termed "appropriate technologies" – those that are human-scale, decentralized, and cater to the actual needs of communities.

In 1973, Schumacher published "Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics As If People Mattered," a work that would come to define his legacy. This book challenged the prevailing economic paradigms of its time, arguing for a shift away from mere materialistic goals towards a more holistic approach that values human well-being and ecological balance. It was this groundbreaking perspective that led The Times Literary Supplement to rank "Small Is Beautiful" among the 100 most influential books published since World War II. Schumacher's ideas were not just theoretical musings but were grounded in a deep desire to create systems that fostered a sustainable and fulfilling way of life for all.

Schumacher's later work, "A Guide for the Perplexed" (1977), further expanded on his critique of materialistic scientism, delving into the nature and organization of knowledge. Through this exploration, he sought to unravel the complexities of the human condition, advocating for a wisdom that transcends the mere accumulation of facts to embrace a deeper understanding of life's interconnectedness and purpose. Schumacher's contributions to economic thought and his pursuit of a more compassionate and sustainable world continue to inspire and challenge individuals and communities to rethink the foundations upon which our societies are built.

(1911-1977) Humanism, Arts and Sciences

Smith, Huston. The World's Religions. Harper San Francisco, 1991, pp. 386 (and Epigraph) [E. F. Schumacher (Huston Smith, The World's Religions, Revised and Updated)].

E. F. Schumacher

Theme: Interfaith Dialogue

About This E. F. Schumacher Quotation [Commentary]

E. F. Schumacher’s emphasis on consulting the “wisdom traditions of mankind” highlights the critical importance of interfaith dialogue today. He advocates for a genuine engagement with the diverse spiritual and philosophical teachings that have shaped human history, suggesting that these traditions offer practical wisdom for addressing today’s challenges. Schumacher’s call is for a dialogue that goes beyond academic or cultural interest, aiming instead for a respectful exchange of ideas that can lead to mutual enrichment and a deeper understanding across different belief systems.

In the realm of “Interfaith Dialogue,” Schumacher’s message encourages us to move from mere tolerance to a meaningful engagement with the world’s spiritual heritage. This engagement seeks to integrate the ethical and spiritual insights from various cultures into our global community, requiring courage to challenge our own preconceptions and openness to the transformative power of ancient wisdom. It’s about allowing these diverse traditions to question and shape our perspectives, guiding us towards a more compassionate and sustainable future.

Schumacher’s call to profit from mankind’s wisdom traditions urges us to actively engage with the teachings at the heart of various religions and spiritual movements. This engagement, rooted in humility and a sincere willingness to learn, can lead to a more inclusive and enlightened society. It serves as a reminder of the importance of drawing upon the vast reservoir of human experience, inviting us to recognize and value the insights that different traditions bring to the table in crafting a future that respects all life. Schumacher’s vision aligns with interfaith dialogue, urging us to look beyond our own experiences to embrace the collective wisdom of humanity.

Huston Smith on the ‘Wisdom Traditions of Mankind.’

“The book’s [The World’s Religions] new epigraphs are also telling. One of them is from E. F. Schumacher, who says, “We need the courage as well as the inclination to consult, and profit from, the ‘wisdom traditions of mankind.'” I have come to love that phrase: ‘the wisdom traditions.’ It has certain advantages over the word religion, which designates the institutional aspects, which are always a mixed bag.”

―Huston Smith [The Way Things Are, Edit. Phil Cousineau (UC Cal Press, Berkeley)].

Passages from John Fullerton about E. F. Schumacher

“Following Schumacher’s lead, we should look to the great wisdom traditions for direction in this truth. Where better to look than to the ideas and teachings from all cultures that have stood the test of time, rather than restrict ourselves to contemporary economic theories that we know are limited and incomplete….

Schumacher is relevant to our critical 21st-century challenges precisely for this reason. His philosophy, his concern about the limits of materialistic scientism, his distinctions between divergent and convergent problems, and his ideas of decentralism, appropriate technology, and human scale to name but a few, are all rooted in the great spiritual and philosophical teachings. Not surprisingly, his ideas, in addition to being humane and just, are aligned with nature and nature’s sustainable way, the only truly sustainable system we know. They are, I believe, rooted in truth as best as Schumacher could discern it, and therefore they represent wisdom, the wisdom of permanence.”

―John Fullerton [The Relevance of E. F. Schumacher in the 21st Century, May 2008] pp. 6-7.

Additional E. F. Schumacher Quotes

“… Keynes believed that society would shift its priorities (as he himself had done) to non-material pursuits once a certain level of material wellbeing was secured. Unfortunately, history has shown that this belief in humanity’s evolution may have been misplaced. Schumacher concludes, “If human vices such as greed and envy are systematically cultivated, the inevitable result is nothing less than a collapse of intelligence.”

―E.F. Schumacher [Small Is Beautiful, (New York: Harper Perennial, 1989)] pp. 31-32. And also: [John Fullerton,The Relevance of E. F. Schumacher in the 21st Century, May 2008] p. 5.

“The keynote of Buddhist economics is simplicity and non-violence… For the modern economist this is very difficult to understand. He is used to measuring the “standard of living” by the amount of annual consumption, assuming all the time that a man who consumes more is “better off” than a man who consumes less. A Buddhist economist would consider this approach excessively irrational: since consumption is merely a means to human well-being, the aim should be to obtain the maximum of well-being with the minimum of consumption. Thus, if the purpose of clothing is a certain amount of temperature comfort and an attractive appearance, the task is to attain this purpose with the smallest possible effort, that is, with the smallest annual destruction of cloth and with the help of designs that involve the smallest possible input of toil. The less toil there is, the more time and strength is left for artistic creativity.”

―E.F. Schumacher [Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered, 1973].

The Wisdom Traditions

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