Is Wisdom a Virtue?

JackDaydream · Post by **JackDaydream** » July 11th, 2022, 9:35 am

This may seem a very simple question and I have created the thread as a bit of relief from heavier topics as it is a heatwave, in England at least. (I am aware that I have broken my own rule of only having one topic in the 5, but it may be forgivable to break rules and boundaries occassionally.)

Anyway, is the question of wisdom being a virtue a simple one or not? What is wisdom and is it easy to measure? In traditional societies the elders were revered for their wisdom whereas many today look to the internet and science. What does this say about values? In some ways, it may be hard to define wisdom clearly and be more easy to point to foolishness. Any thoughts?

JackDaydream · Post by **JackDaydream** » July 11th, 2022, 10:09 am

JackDaydream wrote: ↑July 11th, 2022, 9:35 am This may seem a very simple question and I have created the thread as a bit of relief from heavier topics as it is a heatwave, in England at least. (I am aware that I have broken my own rule of only having one topic in the 5, but it may be forgivable to break rules and boundaries occassionally.)

Anyway, is the question of wisdom being a virtue a simple one or not? What is wisdom and is it easy to measure? In traditional societies the elders were revered for their wisdom whereas many today look to the internet and science. What does this say about values? In some ways, it may be hard to define wisdom clearly and be more easy to point to foolishness. Any thoughts?

Having created the thread question I am aware that it may be too chocolate box a question to even look at, let alone answer. So, to harden it up a little I will ask is the concept of wisdom still useful in twentieth first century philosophy?

stevie · Post by **stevie** » July 11th, 2022, 10:36 am

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom

JackDaydream · Post by **JackDaydream** » July 11th, 2022, 10:49 am

stevie wrote: ↑July 11th, 2022, 10:36 am https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom

Thanks for the entry as it is a useful discussion of definitions. Wikipedia is a useful starting point, at least, although I am hoping that my thread does provoke some more unique responses...

Wisdom may be more than a concept and about the art of living and learning from experiences, and it may be that the harshest ones may be a pathway through a dark labyrinth on the learning curve.

stevie · Post by **stevie** » July 11th, 2022, 1:57 pm

I don't like the expression "wisdom" because due to the manifold definitions and uses every use in any conversation appears like a pretext. It's similar with the expression "common sense" which however doesn't seem to have manifold definitions but not definition at all which has the same result: nobody can know what the one who uses the term exactly has in mind but it can serve as a wonderful tool to baffle a naive opponent.

JackDaydream · Post by **JackDaydream** » July 11th, 2022, 8:08 pm

stevie wrote: ↑July 11th, 2022, 1:57 pm I don't like the expression "wisdom" because due to the manifold definitions and uses every use in any conversation appears like a pretext. It's similar with the expression "common sense" which however doesn't seem to have manifold definitions but not definition at all which has the same result: nobody can know what the one who uses the term exactly has in mind but it can serve as a wonderful tool to baffle a naive opponent.

I do agree with your dislike of the concept of 'wisdom' because all of such ideas may gloss over ideas and the manifold definitions. I see definitions as being problematic, especially in relation to some discussions about gender. Even though there may be certain aspects of agreement the exact use of terms may vary. This is partly about the physical body, which may be less problematic than psychological ideas, but even concepts which are about the physical are variable, because the interpretation and understanding of physical reality is loaded with interpretative meanings and values. So, the idea of 'wisdom' may occur in this context, rather than in any definitive way.

Tom Butler · Post by **Tom Butler** » July 11th, 2022, 9:30 pm

I wander through here from time to time because there are always reason to think here. Else, I do brain-dead browsing when I do not have the mental focus to write. As I get older, there seems to be less focus. Thank you for maintaining this board.

This is a good question that I think converges with the thread concerning viewtopic.php?f=1&t=18113 |Why are Phil ... disliked? In my mind, the foundation of civilization rests on society's ability to carry learned lessons forward to the next generation. Elders were revered, at least in part, because of their agility to guide the community in how to adapt to the world. In that context, wisdom is the ability to remember and propose informed behavior.

The problem is that one does not always know if a person is wise until after the fact. There is also a problem with self-proclaimed wisdom or wisdom dictated by institutional norms. Cultural contamination, and all of that. Yet, actual wisdom is a real thing.

In my study, "for those who have eyes to see" is also a real thing. And so, the wise are those who can recognize wisdom. A circle.

Philosophers are supposed to be those who haver eyes to see. In practice, they are too often practicing the proverbial "fake it until you make it" approach to wisdom. We are may generations past the time wisdom was a survival tool. Philosophy is supposed to be have an actionable component.

Wisdom is a state of awareness based on the habitual examination of "so what." A wise old citizen habitually examines the implications of environmental input. The wise is a person who recognizes the difference between belief and the implications of belief.

The greatest obstruction to further understanding in my study are philosophers and psychologists. An irrational trait of some philosophers is the apparently pathologically urge to wave hands, be condescending and belittle those who seem beneath the philosopher's perceived dignity as a philosopher. As I said, philosophy should have an actionable component, else it is puffery.

Wisdom is in recognizing the difference between puffery and genuine perception.

The Beast · Post by **The Beast** » July 12th, 2022, 2:08 pm

Is wisdom a virtue? Or is it: virtue will result in wisdom? Of course. I am not saying what virtue is or that it is the only road to wisdom. It will be a necessity to define virtue. But, in all, it will be a recognition of objective truth in the complex subjective truth. What else?

Samana Johann · Post by **Samana Johann** » August 20th, 2022, 7:09 am

Wisdom, better insight, or clear seeing, in regard of what's for long term happiness, acts as root for all therefore benefical virtues. And this path starts with the wisdom to do not associate with fools but with wise, and sacrificing toward whats worthy for sacrifices, good householder Jack.

How one perceives/remembers, those he thinks. How one thinks, those he acts. How one acts is where he arrives.