Wisdom
The Psychology of Wise Thoughts, Words, and Deeds

Humanity is getting smarter all the time, but we urgently need to become wiser. This book explains how.

Robert J. Sternberg (Author), Judith Glück (Author)

9781108841566, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 October 2021

210 pages, 3 b/w illus. 1 table
22.9 x 15.3 x 1.2 cm, 0.33 kg

'Wizards in their own right, when Robert J. Sternberg and Judith Glück join forces, magic happens! In this book, they provide a highly relatable, deeply insightful, and characteristically playful introduction to the psychological science of wisdom that might just make you a little wiser.' Nic M. Weststrate, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Learning, University of Illinois-Chicago, USA

The world is simultaneously facing many crises that humanity is failing to solve. Yet, at the same time, humans are smarter (with IQs on average thirty points higher than a century ago) and more knowledgeable (with the world's knowledge base at our fingertips), and scientific advances are accelerating. However, intelligence and knowledge are not enough: wisdom harnesses these strengths to serve the common good. Education is focused on acquiring knowledge, but schools would do better also to teach and test for the development of wisdom. To a lot of people, wisdom is an abstraction, but there is a growing body of scientific research into what wisdom is and how it works. This introduction sets out why wisdom is so important. Drawing on insights from psychology, philosophy, science, and common sense, this book provides a complete account of wisdom and how we can develop it throughout our lives.

1. What is wisdom?
2. Why is wisdom important and why doesn't society always see it that way?
3. How has wisdom been studied in psychology?
4. How is wisdom measured?
5. How does wisdom develop?
6. How do we cultivate wisdom?
7. How is wisdom related to other psychological characteristics?
8. Am I wise?
Epilogue
Index.

Subject Areas: Educational psychology [JNC], Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Psychology [JM]