What Is Wisdom? How To Find Your Personal Definition Of Wisdom

The meaning of wisdom is an enduring topic of study among philosophers and psychologists alike. For centuries, people have debated what makes someone wise and how the ongoing pursuit of wisdom can improve our lives, work, and relationships.

There are numerous definitions of wisdom, with sources ranging from the Bible and earlier sources to modern psychologists and philosophers. This article will review some of the most common definitions of wisdom, as well as the history and psychological research on this concept. With this information, you may develop a definition of wisdom that aligns with your values, experiences, and goals as a lifelong learner.

What is wisdom? 

Wisdom is sometimes used interchangeably with the concept of knowledge, but some scholars make a strong distinction between knowledge and wisdom. Whereas wisdom is often described as a trait acquired through life experience and continued practice, intelligence tends to be viewed as a fixed trait, referencing the ability to think logically, compute, and perform in academic contexts. Specific knowledge may not be a sufficient condition for wisdom, as someone may have a command of content but not be able to make sound decisions in accordance with the values of human development and flourishing.  

In summary, wisdom is a multi-layered word. Wise people may apply a combination of intelligence and life experience to solve interpersonal challenges and promote collective well-being. As you develop your personal philosophy of wisdom, keep these ideas in mind and refer to the following definitions, which pull insights from various fields of study. 

Psychological definitions of wisdom

From a psychological perspective, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines wisdom as “the ability of an individual to make sound decisions, to find the right—or at least good—answers to difficult and important life questions, and to give advice about the complex problems of everyday life and interpersonal relationships.” 

Importantly, a person who lacks wisdom may simply lack life experience. As they age and mature, a person’s capacity for insight and perception may increase, resulting in more thoughtful decision-making and wiser choices.

According to the APA definition, a wise person may be able to offer advice about complex problems from everyday life, as well as interpersonal relationships and career challenges. 

The APA also emphasizes the role of knowledge, life experience, and balance of the interests of oneself and others (per the balance theory of wisdom). According to this definition, a wise person integrates these dimensions and imparts advice in service of a greater or common good.

Some psychologists also study wisdom through the three-dimensional wisdom scale. Three-dimensional wisdom theory considers the reflective, cognitive, and compassionate aspects of wisdom. These three dimensions may allow individuals to apply wisdom in everyday situations. 

Philosophical perspectives

Many philosophers over the years have sought to define wisdom in various ways. For example, the tradition of Taoism (from Tao-te Ching) tends to emphasize not interfering and allowing things to develop along their natural course. On the other hand, Buddhist wisdom may emphasize recognition of the true nature of reality, depending on the specific type of Buddhist tradition. Philosophical wisdom can involve both theoretical wisdom and practical wisdom that can lead to wise choices and greater fulfillment. 

Religious definitions of wisdom

In the Old Testament of the Bible, God is depicted as the true source of wisdom, which is rooted in a fear of God. From this viewpoint, wisdom is a gift from a God who gives generously, but also a skill to be learned with appropriate care and caution.

In Proverbs 1-9 of the Old Testament, the authors outline two ways of living: the way of wisdom and the way of folly or foolishness. In this biblical account of wisdom, “fools” despise wisdom, while those who devote their lives to wisdom will benefit from health, prosperity, security, well-being, and other worthy outcomes. 

Regardless of your religious background, you can draw parallels between biblical conceptions of wisdom and more modern definitions. Today, researchers make connections between wisdom and positive life outcomes, including: 

• Better health
• Well-being
• Life satisfaction
• Happiness
• Resilience

Finding your personal definition of wisdom: Five tips 

There may be as many shades of wisdom as there are people in the world. You might embrace a holistic understanding of wisdom, one that recognizes its variability across cultures, communities, and periods of time. 

The following five tips can help you make sense of this wide-ranging concept and ultimately form a definition of wisdom that reflects your: 

• Llife experiences
• Goals
• Understanding of intelligence

1. Identify your core traits and strengths 

Each person offers a unique combination of life experience and personal strengths. Depending on your skills, you may describe yourself as a musically intelligent person or someone with more interpersonal or mathematical intelligence. 

Make a list of your skills and even take a personality test to further your insights. With a foundational understanding of your personality traits, you can form a definition of wisdom that reflects your core traits and strengths. 

2. Learn from others

In your family, friend group, and broader community, you may be able to identify a person or people with wisdom to share. Wise people are all around, and they have ample insights and stories to share.

Take a moment to identify a wise person in your life: maybe it’s your grandparent, an old friend, or a coworker. If possible, spend more time getting to know them and asking about their perspectives on various issues and topics. Learning from others is an act of wisdom in itself, one that can help you feel more connected to your community. 

3. Review the research on wisdom

You can also refine your personal definition of wisdom by simply reading up on the topic. Psychologists have studied the concept for decades, and they continue to add to a growing body of invaluable research that you can review and apply to your own life. 

In a 2022 study of the past 30 years of wisdom research, a group of psychologists reviewed the various scales used to measure wisdom. The study found that researchers have used a variety of tools to measure wisdom, with empirical studies drawing correlations between wisdom and intelligence, the Big Five traits of personality, narcissism, self-esteem, and social desirability. 

The researchers also found that wisdom is associated with openness and both hedonic well-being, which involves pleasure and happiness, and eudaimonic well-being, which refers to adjustment, growth, and the fulfillment of one’s potential.

Ultimately, this study finds that there is no singular, accepted wisdom definition. Rather than distill the concept of wisdom into a universal definition, you can learn from ongoing research on this topic and develop a philosophy of wisdom that reflects your understanding of a “good life.”  

4. Journal about your understanding of wisdom

There is a time to learn and soak up information, and then there’s a time to apply this expert knowledge in real time. As you deepen your understanding of wisdom and share it with others, journaling can be an effective, powerful way to reflect on your growing knowledge and develop your perspective.

Research shows that expressive writing, such as keeping a journal or daily gratitude notebook, can have a direct, positive impact on your mental health. If you’re looking for journaling prompts related to wisdom, consider writing down your responses to the following questions: 

Whose advice do you value the most, and why? 

Think about a time when you discussed your insight with confidence and conviction. What compelled you to openly discuss your wisdom, and how did this experience make you feel?

How would you describe a “wise” person? Are there specific people or life experiences that influence your description?  

In addition to these prompts, you can also write down quotes about wisdom and related concepts in your favorite books, magazines, and other content. Wisdom abounds in literature, film, and art, as well as in ourselves and other people.

5. Seek the wisdom of a professional therapist

There are numerous ways to build and reshape your unique, personalized notion of wisdom both individually and in relation to others. If you believe you’d benefit from the insights of a mental health professional, a licensed therapist may be prepared to answer your questions and help you lead a wiser, healthier life. 

Some people prefer to work with in-person therapists, but a growing number of people use digital platforms like BetterHelp to work toward their mental health goals. All BetterHelp therapists have at least three years of professional experience, and many work with clients to enhance their understanding of wisdom, emotional intelligence, and related concepts. After completing a brief questionnaire and matching with a therapist, you can begin scheduling sessions at a time and place that works best for you.

A growing body of research shows that online interventions for mental health can be just as effective as in-person options, including a 2018 study of online positive affect journaling (PAJ). The researchers studied the value of web-based PAJ for a group of 70 adults with various medical conditions and elevated anxiety symptoms. After the 12-week program, the study found that online PAJ was associated with decreased mental distress and anxiety, increased well-being, and greater perceived personal resilience. 

These results suggest that a simple intervention like journaling can have significant, powerful therapeutic effects, even when delivered in an online format.