what is wisdom?

Question

what do we have to do to be wise

Answer 1

Wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.

Answer 2

Early on, Socrates called himself wise because he knew that he was not wise. That's a pretty obnoxious answer, though, because what lies hidden in his response is that he is wise because he lives an "examined life."

Wisdom is an examined life. It is not simply having vast amounts of technical, factual, data-like knowledge. However, without knowledge, one cannot be wise. Knowledge is one ingredient.

Wisdom entails ethics - using the knowledge you gained. Now, this doesn't mean subscribing to one ethical theory or another. This just means in what manner one uses the knowledge - how do they use it. Because with practice (so the theory goes) prudence and discernment develop. Prudence and discernment are habits that grow the more we use our knowledge and experience the outcomes of that usage.

Many people assume because a person has had "many experiences" that they are therefore wise. But experience alone does not make someone wise - for example, someone who has traveled the world, but been a criminal in every country they visited will be experienced, yes, but you have to think they are, at the core, doing something incorrectly. Similarly with someone who has played almost every sport imaginable. Does this mean they are wise? Maybe they were "poor" players at all the sports.

Answer 3

What is wisdom? We hear the word a lot these days—the need for wisdom, the wisdom traditions, wisdom schools. We each would like to have more wisdom. And for others to have it as well. Too much human hurt and suffering comes from lack of wisdom. There is something about wisdom that we all aspire to. But what is this quality we hold in such high regard?

Various people have pointed to the progression of data to information to knowledge. Variations in patterns of data gives rise to information. Information from different situations is generalized into knowledge. Continuing the progression suggests that something derived from knowledge leads to the emergence of a new level, what we call wisdom. But what is it that knowledge gives us that takes us beyond knowledge?

Through knowledge we learn how to act in our own better interests. Will this decision lead to greater well-being, or greater suffering? What is the kindest way to respond in this situation? Is it coming from love, or insecurity? Wisdom reflects the values and criteria that we apply to our knowledge.

This suggests that the essence of wisdom is discernment. Discernment of right from wrong. Helpful from harmful. Truth from delusion. The wise are able to discern their true interests from those of the ego mind. They are usually regarded as kind, content in themselves. They tend not to aspire to greater material wealth or fame. They have learnt what is important.

At present, humanity has vast amounts of knowledge, but still very little wisdom. Buckminster Fuller called this time our final evolutionary exam. Is our species fit to survive? Can we develop the wisdom that will allow us to use our prodigious powers for our own good, and for that of many generations to come?

The question then arises: What can we do to facilitate the development of wisdom? This is where the wisdom traditions have their value. They are the spiritual traditions found throughout human culture. Often they are seen as simply religions, but most of the great religions were seeded by wise people, people who had, in one way or another, woken up, and sought to share their awakening with others.

Today we need to re-discover for ourselves the wisdom that inspired so many of these traditions. And discover how to enliven that wisdom in ourselves.

Answer 4

This is the Serenity Prayer and although I do not believe in God, it is still a profound statement of wisdom:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Answer 5

"Being" fully Present, in the Present, "AS" Presence...
Every experience happens in the "Now". Wisdom is obtained through experience, not compiling knowledge of wisdom.

Answer 6

wisdom is something that you can see but you can feel. you are wise when you know what is wrong and what is good. And never jugde someone by it's look but seeing trough their heart.

Answer 7

wisdom is all the information that you have learned in your life time but do not always use in the right way.

Answer 8

Freedom from judgment in the search for answers.

Answer 9

Know we don't know.
If you look into a hole & someone pokes you in the eye.
It would be wise, not to do it again.

Answer 10

The ability use use accumulated knowledge to the best advantage.