Defining the Sage and Their Identity
Updated: Apr 27

A few years ago, I used Quora to ask the following questions: What is a sage, and how is sagehood achieved? The problem with this issue is that the term "sage" is too abstract to have a definitive answer.
One of the answerers, who is also a reader on Philosocom, replied that it is about constantly seeking the self. They also added, that it isn't a state of being that's finite. After listening to some videos about this term, I came up with my own definition. The following is my message to said reader, so I will put it in quotation marks as it should be.
In that message, I also criticize society for using the term. Why? Find out below...
A sage is a synonym for "master". A master of wisdom, that is. He/she are not necessarily of something else... It is a stereotype that can be found in many pieces of media, from books to movies to video games. Carl Yung even made an archetype about it. It is a person that people seek counsel from him or her and they dispense it competently and effectively.
(2023 note: by "effectively" I refer to words that are not wise, but are marketed as such. They aslo effective by helping the protagonist).
A few years ago, I used Quora to ask the following questions: What is a sage, and how is sagehood achieved? The problem with this issue is that the term "sage" is too abstract to have a definitive answer.
One of the answerers, who is also a reader on Philosocom, replied that it is about constantly seeking the self. They also added, that it isn't a state of being that's finite. After listening to some videos about this term, I came up with my own definition. The following is my message to said reader, so I will put it in quotation marks as it should be.
In that message, I also criticize society for using the term. Why? Find out below...
A sage is a synonym for "master". A master of wisdom, that is. He/she are not necessarily of something else... It is a stereotype that can be found in many pieces of media, from books to movies to video games.
Carl Yung even made an archetype about it. It is a person that people seek counsel from him or her and they dispense it competently and effectively. If you want, I will send it to you. Again -- there's no confirmation or denial on my behalf.
I guess that, in order to be truly a sage, one must be brave enough to admit that one is one, and endure the social consequences of being "different" than the "average" individual.
Finally, a philosopher lacks knowledge, while the sage has it. If the philosopher had knowledge, he wouldn't need to seek it as he would already have it. Loving wisdom means that you love seeking it; the love is not only in wisdom but also in the pursuit of it."