What is wisdom? Is any attempt to define the term somewhat oxymoronic, little more than a fool's errand?
As you may know, there is no broadly agreed definition of wisdom. However, common descriptions often include two key features. Dr. Gregg Henriques describes these in his book ‘The Unified Theory of Knowledge’, as “1) grounding in a set of aspirational goals such as prosocial behaviour, the pursuit of truth and an orientation towards shared humanity; and 2) metacognitive reflection that takes multiple perspectives on the conflict, problem or potential, and affords adaptive problem solving and decision making towards valued states in both the short and long-term.”
I've personally come to define wisdom as, "The processual commitment to knowing, deeply caring for, and living in close relation to what truly matters."
This definition recognises that wisdom is a way of being, doing and becoming. It is a life long process that’s never done. It recognises that this process helps us ground our being, doing and becoming in reality, or rather, the best stories of reality we can possibly tell based on the preponderance of evidence in a very broad sense (this accounts for modern naturalistic empirical scientific evidence, as well as myth, narrative, TEK, direct lived experience etc.). It recognises that what 'is' doesn’t necessarily describe what 'ought' to be, and holds space for the challenging, yet often productive tension that we must embrace in such a context. It recognises that we need to engage in an ongoing process of self improvement–the cultivation of virtue or character–which, however contradictory this may sound to some, is an inherently relational process (individuation–the process of becoming who we are uniquely capable of being–is actually a collective endeavour). It also recognises that this entire process is bound up in a deep sense of what is good / truly matters (our values). And it encourages us to deepen our relation to those values through daily practice (which, oh yes, means applying restraint!). It, my working definition, does this as so much more.
Or... does it actually do nothing?
I don't really know.
Here's to maintaining plenty of humility.
