NYT on Wisdom
As an ancient concept and esteemed human value, wisdom has historically been studied in the realms of
philosophy and religion. The idea has been around at least since the Sumerians first etched bits of practical
advice — “We are doomed to die; let us spend” — on clay tablets more than 5,000 years ago. But as a trait that
might be captured by quantitative measures, it has been more like the woolly mammoth of ideas — big, shaggy
and elusive. It is only in the last three decades that wisdom has received even glancing attention from social
scientists. Erikson’s observations left the door open for the formal study of wisdom, and a few brave psychologists
rushed in where others feared to tread.
philosophy and religion. The idea has been around at least since the Sumerians first etched bits of practical
advice — “We are doomed to die; let us spend” — on clay tablets more than 5,000 years ago. But as a trait that
might be captured by quantitative measures, it has been more like the woolly mammoth of ideas — big, shaggy
and elusive. It is only in the last three decades that wisdom has received even glancing attention from social
scientists. Erikson’s observations left the door open for the formal study of wisdom, and a few brave psychologists
rushed in where others feared to tread.
posted by Edward Barker at 2:35 AM
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