In theory, wisdom refers to ideal cognitive skills, the ability to use your experience and knowledge to make sensible decisions or judgments. In practice, it refers to the process of applying clear thinking and moral values in action to support the well-being of oneself and others.
The only facts about the world are observations and measurements, which scientists call data or evidence. Our beliefs about what these facts mean are inferences (interpretations, not truths).
While it might be impossible to avoid biases completely, we can learn to notice when they happen. Awareness of biases is essential if we intend to manage them; if we’re aware of these common tendencies, then we can realize when they’re affecting our beliefs. That realization enables us to correct ourselves.
Scholars have elucidated the sources of human motivation, explained how people generate critical analyses, and discussed how we produce effective action by applying ethical guidelines, cooperative communication, and value-based decision-making. We can adopt these methods to apply our most precious values in practice and to accomplish our most important objectives in life.
We’re not necessarily stuck with our old ways of thinking and feeling. It takes work to learn to understand how our cognitive and motivational functions direct our thoughts, feelings and actions, but the most effective way to improve our lives is to take charge of these processes and modify them on purpose.
Everything that we do is driven by some motive or other, but we’re not always aware of the reasons for our actions. Even if we think of one, there may be others lurking in the cognitive background.
It’s possible to insist that what we know is absolutely correct. Maintaining our beliefs might sometimes be more important than learning to modify our least coherent or least moral ideas.
Applying philosophical thinking (by examining subjects from various perspectives and then comparing the coherence of alternative views) may contribute greatly to determining how well we succeed in the world.
To engage in deep thinking, we must analyze and evaluate ideas in relation to one another. How is an assertion justified? Which reliable evidence is relevant to that process? Which interpretations and arguments are more reasonable than others?
Our knowledge and feelings produce our motives and actions, but we can’t regulate our mental functions very well if we don’t understand how they operate.
If I were to ask you what it’s like to be human, you could tell me what you think and feel about your subjective experiences. If I ask what humans have in common, you’d have to look beyond your own point of view.
Truth adherents don’t need to provide coherent justifications for their ideas. If confronted with a reasonable argument contrary to their views, True Believers can bluster, resort to fallacious reasoning, change the subject, or withdraw from the conversation.
Transformative learning occurs when one realizes that one’s past perspective on something has been erroneous and the prior knowledge is superseded by a more coherent and more comprehensive perspective.
Unfortunately, there’s no formula or algorithm for producing success or fulfillment. However, many disciplines have been (or could be) applied as contexts for intentional self-development.
If we don’t set deadlines for the various goals that we’re juggling, we can’t plan our actions very effectively. Vague promises without time limits are poor self-motivators; they’re inconsistent with the process of applying our commitments effectively in action.
I define self-determinism as planning and enacting one’s activities in accordance with one’s declared purposes. In practice, self-determinism includes careful consideration and application of one’s motives, beliefs, and actions.
Publicly declaring our intentions motivates us to behave in accordance with those commitments, and it also opens the possibility for others to support our endeavors.
If we’re not clear on what we need to do to be highly productive and deeply satisfied, then we’re unlikely to be deeply fulfilled with any results that we achieve.
Concern for other people’s values, beliefs, and intentions is of primary importance in developing flourishing relationships… Our satisfaction with our relationships depends upon how our beliefs and opinions enable or prevent full cooperation and highly effective communication.
An essential dimension of relating with people is the ratio of competition to cooperation… In practice, it’s quite easy to distinguish antagonistic tactics from cooperative ones.
If appropriate educational materials become available, educators and university administrators may eventually produce curricula that will inspire future generations of teachers to learn the basic elements of wisdom and apply them in practice. Producing that objective may require political and social action by groups of citizens who recognize the potential benefits of reforming education in that respect.