Comp 106
Professor Yerks
16 November 2008
Wisdom
“The quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight,” as defined by Dictionary.com Unabridged. Wisdom is something which is developed over time in most people and is usually not evident till the later stages of one’s life. One is to question how does this develop, what conditions facilitate the development of wisdom, which conditions do not?
Professor Thao N. Le, of Colorado State University, believes there are two main things which provide means to developing wisdom, cultural values and life experiences. His study particularly, “…explores and extends the discussion of life crises on wisdom, specifically, the extent to which different life crises are related to wisdom, and are moderated by values for older adults” (Le 260). Le believes there are two types of wisdom, practical, which entails knowledge and understanding about human nature, and the ability to provide judgment and solve complex human problems, and transcendent, which entails knowledge, insight, and understanding about existential dilemmas and the nature of being. Practical tends to results in historical, interpretive kinds of knowledge, whereas transcendent wisdom reflects emancipator interests. The types of life experiences to be examined are those which are considered stressful or negative, and positive life experiences. Professor Thao Le conducted a study which one hundred ninety-nine participants, half European and half Vietnamese American, took part in one and half hour interview assessing their wisdom and values. When referring to values Le pays particular attention to two factors, openness to change and self-enhancement, and conservation value, values centered toward security and safety needs. The study provided evidence showed that the stressful experiences which people face throughout life may have negative effects, but also facilitate a positive effect on wisdom. It also showed a correlation between stressful experiences and development of wisdom. This is because individuals change from these experiences, they gain knowledge to foresee any reoccurrence, and they also gain the skills to deal with similar situations. This is a process of growth towards a wholesome individual; similar to the ideal of learning from one’s mistakes. These result in the two different types of values mentioned above. Dependence of which type of value is created is on what types of experiences are faced, macro social/war, family, health, etc.
The next article to be explored is one by Professor Robert Sternberg titled, “What is wisdom and how can we develop it?” In this article he defines wisdom and explains a new idea on how to promote its development. Sternberg explains that wisdom is not something necessarily connected to intelligence and even states that intelligence often comes with qualities such as egocentrism, omniscience, omnipotence, and invulnerability. Intelligence with such things can evolve into using ones knowledge for bad purpose, such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin did, both were intelligent beings, just used their intelligence in the wrong way. While knowledge integrated with wisdom, or even wisdom on its own provides actions for the common good. Sternberg makes the point that wisdom is the integration of intelligence and experience, therefore supporting Thao Le’s idea’s previously stated. Professor Sternberg believes that wisdom is the ability to use this intelligence and experience to appropriately balance, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal interests over short and long term periods of time and facilitate “adaptation to existing environments, shaping of existing environments, and selection of new environments” (Sternberg 165). Sternberg then continues to provide a plan to integrate the teaching of wisdom into primary schools in order for individuals to be taught this concept at a young age. Doing so would teach students to balance their life, and make better decisions, thus allowing students to develop somewhat of an artificial wisdom whereas they don’t need to face such negative experiences to develop their wisdom.
Doctor Paul Wong proposes his own definition of wisdom, “Wisdom may be defined as a special gift or ability to see clearly, discern correctly, understand deeply, and judge appropriately. It is based on the humility and openness to listen and learn from unlikely sources, including the mouth of a child and the whisper of a dying man. It involves the courage to be true to oneself, to do what is right and to achieve maximum good in spite of situational constraints and personal dangers. As a spiritual gift, it is to be received with humility and gratitude; as a human ability, cultivated with diligence; and as a character of authenticity and courage, practiced consistently.” I feel this is a great definition as it provides examples to what wisdom is, showing applications to one’s life. Dr. Wong also mentions Anne Frank, and provides an example of a passage from her diary, the passage depicts great maturity for a thirteen year old, and Dr. Wong justifies this by concluding that her quick development is due to the many hardships faces in short period of time. Dr. Wong feels there are 3 different examples to which wisdom is acquired, the first entails grasping of the concept with little to none help; usually common in rare cases with intelligent individuals. The next is acquired through mentors or teachers who instill their wisdom on one, and the last is defined as “learning things the hard way,” through trial and error, and negative experiences. Wisdom is often spiritual and taught traditionally through religious books, such as the Koran, Bible, and books of proverbs. Dr. Wong also provides two lists, one which provides profiles of people who are wise and another which provides portraits of intellectual fools, those who are smart but not wise. He also makes the point that it is much easier to find “fools’ paradise” than it is to find wisdom, but often the pursuance of wisdom keeps you away from the wrong path. Dr. Wong holds a common phrase which he passes to all his patients, “wisdom is the touchstone of character rather than intellect.”
Even though I am only nineteen years old as I look at my own development of the past decade I can see the many steps I have taken towards developing wisdom. I have had many negative experiences as Professor Le mentioned promote development. Take for example when I was 17 I got into an accident which was my fault. I had rear ended someone because I was not paying attention while driving. I learned from that experience and now devote my all my attention to driving when I am in the car. When I was 13 I used to fight a lot with my parents, through their parenting, I learned that talking thing out in a calm manor is much more efficient and polite than arguing. These are examples of learning wisdom through experiences. While on vacation in Peru I went with a teacher from high school that seemed to possess infinite wisdom. While on this vacation I took into account all the wisdom he showed through his actions and all the wisdom he passed through direct dialogue. This is an example of learning wisdom from a mentor as mentioned by Dr. Wong.
All three articles provide insight on the concept of wisdom, while Professor Le offers clarification on what causes the development of wisdom, life experiences, and what they result in, different values. Professor Sternberg defines wisdom as a balance through is proposition of a balance theory. I feel this is a great example because it elaborates on having all the intelligence but dividing it into a balance which promotes a common good for all. Doctor Wong shows wisdom is something that is spiritual and over very rarely learned without some form of teaching. With these ideas in mind I question, what sort of wisdom will we develop from the macro social crises, America’s economic problem, at hand?
References
Paul T. P. Wong. “Practical Wisdoms for Flourishing in Difficult Situations.” (n.d) Retrieved 8 November 2008 from < www.meaning.ca/archives/presidents_columns/pdfs/wisdom- june05.pdf>
Robert J Sternberg. "What is wisdom and how can we develop it? " Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 591.(2004): 164-174. Research Library. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 8 Nov. 2008
Thao N. Le, “Cultural Values, Life Experiences, and Wisdom.” The Internation Journal of Aging and Human Development. Voume 66, Number 4. (2008): 259-281. Research Library. ProQuest. University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI. 6 Nov. 2008
"wisdom." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 16 Nov. 2008.
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