Dictionary.com defines wisdom as “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.” A wise person has the perspective to see an issue within an appropriate context, as well as the sense to know when she is out of her depth. Psychologists suggest that an appropriate synonym to wisdom is perspective.

According to the Wisdom Therapy Institute, “The wisdom we gain throughout our life includes communication and social skills, humility, empathy and compassion for others, emotional intelligence, specific thought patterns, mindfulness, a practice of appreciation and gratitude for the things we take for granted like being able to walk or see, and a sense of awe, respect, and perspective for the big picture and nature.”

While wisdom is often associated with old age, studies indicate that wisdom can be present in people between the ages of 20 and 90 (Peterson and Seligman 2004, page 189). In fact, wisdom is a function of life experiences and not age. The average person steadily collects life experiences over time, and is therefore seen to gain wisdom with age, but a young person whose lived through a series of serious challenges may be more grounded and mature than a person three times his age. The implication is significant. Imagine developing the wisdom of the ages without having to wait 120 years! If it is possible to seek wisdom in more efficient, accelerated fashion, it is also logical that one should seek it sooner rather than later. According to Pasupathi, Staudinger, and Baltes, 2001, an ideal age range to seek a lot of wisdom may be 15 to 25.

Developing Wisdom

• Seek a mentor, or several, at different stages of life and career, and especially when going through difficult periods
• Become an apprentice to a person who displays wisdom and benefit from the sharing of knowledge
• Gain access to humanity’s collective wisdom through examinations of classics in literature, theater, art, and philosophy
• Practice examining situations from diametrically opposed perspectives
• Introspect and contemplate life’s meaning
• An active search for wisdom requires trial and error. Seek situations where the inevitable errors will be accepted as a necessary part of the learning experience

Pasupathi, M., Staudinger, U.M., and Baltes, P.B. (2001). “Seeds of Wisdom: Adolescents’ knowledge and judgments about difficult life problems.” Developmental Psychology, 37, 351-361.

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