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Trying to Talk About Wisdom
R.J. Sternberg wrote in Wisdom: Its Nature, Origins, and Development that "Wisdom is about as elusive as psychological constructs get." We often use models to help us talk about and help understand elusive things like wisdom.
The first model focuses on human self-conscious wisdom, meaning that we have the ability to think about ourselves and the free will to make either wise or foolish decisions.
The model implies that wisdom involves many human factors in a mish-mash of interactions and priorities. The boundary is dotted to show that wisdom can be affected by many factors other than the ones in the diagram. Given that our purpose here is to learn and teach wisdom, we emphasize values, experience, beliefs, and knowledge because those are somewhat learnable/teachable.
But while we usually think of wisdom as a human possibility, in Proverbs 8:22 Wisdom says “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old.” This implies that Wisdom is integral to all of Earth’s processes, which is recognized by many faith traditions and is being increasingly confirmed as we learn more about Earth's systems.
Most of Earth's processes take place within complex adaptive systems, which are self-regulating. This implies that the systems have within them some basis for prompting actions that are necessary for their survival and well-being. This is what we mean as the wisdom within the system.
The second model identifies some of the things that comprise Earth Systems Wisdom. It begins with genetics and instinct. Those provide sensitivity to external and internal changes which stimulate and direct adjustments to maintain resilience. Those adjustments are supported and limited by genetics and instinct and feed back to them, thus supporting systemic evolution. These processes are supported and limited by climate and weather, geology and topography, and the presence of adaptive alternatives.
Earth Systems Wisdom is the most basic. It functions whether or not we decide to cooperate. Our task is to incorporate Earth Systems Wisdom into our Human Self-conscious Wisdom.
Journal Prompt
Think about these diagrams, and in your journal reflect on how you might use them to try better to understand wisdom. If these models don't work for you, make your own.
Wisdom is more than just knowledge, of course. It is the application of knowledge and the discernment that comes from perspective. This saying sums it up well, “Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it.” Knowledge is required for wisdom. After all, you must have a foundation on which to build. But it’s possible to have knowledge—book smarts or awareness of something—without the judgement that goes along with how to use it. Tracy Brower, PhD. Senior Contributor, Forbes Magazine, January 12. 2022
Wisdom is already in us, when we find it. Valarie Kaur wrote:
I believe that deep wisdom resides within each of us. Some call this voice by different sacred names—Spirit, God, Jesus, Allah, Om, Buddha-nature, Waheguru. Others think of this voice as the intuition one hears when in a calm state of mind. . . (Fr. Richard Rohr Daily Meditation)
In the video below Valerie Kaur discusses the practical power of Sikh wisdom as described in her book Sage Wisdom.
We believe that wisdom is inherently spiritual.
Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning, and purpose to our lives. Brené Brown
In your journal, reflect on the idea that wisdom might be an antidote to fear.
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