Be practical also

WHILE it is true that to be prudent in our actuations, we

need to come up with some theories and hypothesis, we also need to

realize that we should not stop only in the speculative level. We have

to go all the way to the practical level too. The virtue of prudence

would not be prudence unless its speculative part is accompanied by

its practical aspect. Theories without action distort the true nature

of prudence.

  

            Yes, it is important to theorize and hypothesize if only

to concretize some highly abstract truths, principles, standards and

criteria. Theories and hypotheses make sure that the truths,

principles, standards and criteria we are using are truly relevant and

applicable to a particular situation, problem or issue. They offer us

good guidelines in our actions.

              So, theorizing and hypothesizing is indispensable,

otherwise we might just be doing a lot of things, giving ourselves the

impression that we are progressing or accomplishing something when, in

fact, we are missing the real point.

  

            But no matter how important and indispensable the

theories, hypothesis, formulas and the other forms of speculative work

are, they would amount to nothing if we fail to act on them. Action

completes our prudent actuations.

  

            Acting on our theories and hypotheses, of course, may

involve some trial-and-error stage. And it may happen that we can be

in error in the end in spite of our best efforts. But that would be

better than doing nothing, unless it is quite clear that to withhold

action for a while may be the most prudent thing to do.

  

            It’s important that we act. That’s why we not only have

heads to think but also hands to do, and both faculties have to be

used. And even if the results of our actions are contrary to what we

aim at, our actions, at the very least, can always give us precious

lessons, can shed light on certain things that we may have forgotten

to consider in our planning. It’s always worthwhile to act. We should

not be afraid to act.

  

            Of course, given our human condition, some people may lean

more on the speculative type than on the active type, and vice-versa.

But no one can and should be exclusively speculative or exclusively

active. Everyone has to have both dimensions, though in varying

degrees.

   

            Yes, there are the so-called planners and policy-makers,

but even in their planning and policy-making they have to do action to

make their work attain its intended objective. There are also

implementors who carry out what the planners and policy-makers suggest

or propose. These should do their job in close coordination with the

planners and policy-makers.

  

            There therefore has to be collaborative work between the

mind, heart and hands, between thinkers and doers, between superiors

and workers. And toward this end, good relation should be established

and developed. There has to be mutual influencing among the different

parties involved.

            In this regard, it should be said that whatever task one

has to do, whether it is more of the speculative type or the active

type, he should do it as best that he can. And while the quantity of

their work is important, priority should be given to the quality of

their work. “Non multa sed multum,” as one Latin aphorism aptly puts

it, not many things but much. In short, quality over quantity.

  

            Again, in this regard, everyone should realize that

whether he is doing speculative or practical work, he is actually

lending himself as instrument and material for the continuing work of

God over his creation. In other words, our work is a participation of

the abiding providence of God over all his creation.

  

            In a sense, even if we are doing a very mundane work, we

would actually be doing some sacred work since that work is part of

God’s providence.