The Scientific Approach of Wisdom

Trowbridge, R H. Dissertation for Union Institute & University

  Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} While wisdom figures in the oldest surviving literary documents, it has been neglected by philosophy for centuries, and by empirical psychology until quite recently: empirical study began only in the 1970s. Since then, interest in wisdom continues to grow, both for promoting healthy old age and good lives throughout the lifespan, and for its possible contribution to the common good. I have taken advantage of this twenty-fifth anniversary of the first published empirical research on wisdom to present in one place a description and evaluation of all published studies I was able to find. At the same time, the religious and philosophic traditions were reviewed to provide fuller understanding of the concept. Theoretical contributions by psychologists were included. The first research question addressed what the findings of a quarter-century of empiric study show. In reviewing these studies, the question, How is wisdom to be studied? presented itself as a priority to be considered as empiric research proceeds. Three proposals were set forth and confronted with the data: that research will need to engage religious and metaphysical wisdom; that it remains to be determined whether women’s understanding of what is wise differs from men’s; and that studying exemplars is essential. Results showed no indications of a conflict between religious and practical wisdom, even in studies including religious persons. The question is hardly laid to rest, but can perhaps be left to theorists for the present. Little difference in levels of wisdom between women and men, but some indication of differences in their understandings of the term was found. Given the absence of female writers on wisdom until the twentieth century, it seems important for research to resolve this question. The study of exemplars has been recommended by others. It has yet to begin, remaining an urgent, missing piece of the picture.

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