Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding finance through a humanistic lens, advocating for a return to the core values of finance as a tool for value creation rather than value extraction [24][25]. Group 1: Financial Industry Challenges - In the first half of 2025, 43 payment institutions were fined nearly 160 million yuan due to anti-money laundering issues, and Haier Consumer Finance was fined 2.3 million yuan for collection violations, highlighting risk management vulnerabilities [9]. - The non-performing loan ratio of commercial banks rose to 2.8%, and valuations of Hong Kong-listed banks hit a ten-year low, indicating a trend of international capital withdrawal [9]. - The cryptocurrency market faced turmoil, with Layer 2 projects collapsing and exchanges imposing bans, revealing governance issues within the industry [9][10]. Group 2: Humanistic Approach to Finance - The article discusses the need for financial professionals to better explain their work to regain public trust, emphasizing that finance should create value rather than extract it [10][11]. - Michal DeSai, a Harvard professor, suggests that integrating financial principles with literature, history, and philosophy can enhance practitioners' understanding and resistance to corruption [11][12]. - The narrative includes a parable illustrating the dual nature of finance, portraying it as both noble and deceitful, which reflects the complexities of human nature [12][13]. Group 3: Understanding Risk and Probability - The article highlights that finance provides tools to navigate a world filled with risks and uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of understanding probability [16][20]. - Historical perspectives on risk reveal that the understanding of probability evolved over time, transitioning from divine intervention to rational analysis [15][16]. - The concept of insurance is presented as a practical application of risk management, emphasizing the collective sharing of risk among individuals [19][20]. Group 4: Conclusion on Financial Wisdom - The essence of financial wisdom is rooted in human nature, navigating the tension between nobility and deceit, and is fundamentally about managing risk and creating value [24]. - The article concludes that the ultimate mission of finance is not merely numerical manipulation but empowering individuals to navigate their lives with dignity amidst uncertainty [24].