Wisdom
A Skill Theory

The Element demonstrates how far a skill model of wisdom can go with respect to explaining various aspects of wisdom.

Cheng-hung Tsai (Author)

9781009222891, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 January 2023

75 pages
22.9 x 15.1 x 0.5 cm, 0.13 kg

What is wisdom? What does a wise person know? Can a wise person know how to act and live well without knowing the whys and wherefores of his own action? How is wisdom acquired? This Element addresses questions regarding the nature and acquisition of wisdom by developing and defending a skill theory of wisdom. Specifically, this theory argues that if a person S is wise, then (i) S knows that overall attitude success contributes to or constitutes well-being; (ii) S knows what the best means to achieve well-being are; (iii) S is reliably successful at acting and living well (in light of what S knows); and (iv) S knows why she is successful at acting and living well. The first three sections of this Element develop this theory, and the final two sections defend this theory against two objections to the effect that there are asymmetries between wisdom and skill.

Introduction
Part I. A Skill Theory of Wisdom Presented: 1. Wisdom as knowing how to live well
Part II. The Theory Developed: 2. Wisdom and knowing the whys
3. Wisdom and knowing what matters
Part III. The Theory Defended: 4. The deliberation objection: deliberation about final ends
5. The feedback objection: feedback for skill acquisition
Conclusion
Appendix
References.

Subject Areas: Humanistic psychology [JMAN], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge [HPK]