Wisdom Definition: Higher Forms of Knowledge

Wisdom can be an elusive concept to define or identify precisely. Some may argue it can only be cultivated with time and experience, while others feel it’s a trait that some innately have more of than others. To better understand wisdom, this article explores the different types of wisdom, perspectives across cultures, the characteristics of a wise person, and how people can gain wisdom over time.

Wisdom definition and meaning

Characteristics of a wise person

Wisdom may be seen in two ways;: through virtuous actions or mental sharpness. It may be reflected in the actions people take or the psychological traits they possess. Wise actions may include creatively solving problems in ways that benefit others, while people may show wise traits by communicating their knowledge and experience with others. According to research, some characteristics of wisdom include:

• Prosocial behavior such as acting for the benefit of others
• Self-awareness of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Acceptance of future uncertainty and unpredictability
• Decisiveness and the ability to make clear, confident decisions
• Spirituality and focus on inner growth or connection with inner nature
• Emotional regulation and being sensitive and responsive to inner emotions

Wisdom in relationships and conflict

The same research emphasizes that wisdom tends to increase with age, and despite their decline in physical health, older adults manage to enhance the health, longevity, well-being, and fertility of their children and grandchildren. Older adults may use their wisdom to navigate interpersonal conflicts, support human development, and help their next of kin make healthier choices in life. 

Wisdom synonyms and related words

Understanding what wisdom is not can be helpful in understanding what it is. When defining wisdom it may be easy to mistake it for related traits. People may confuse wisdom with a few words, including acumen (keenness and depth of perception), caution (prudent forethought to minimize risk), common sense (prudent judgment based on a simple perception), experience (practical knowledge or a certain set of skills), foresight (looking ahead to see potential outcomes), and prudence (the ability to govern and discipline oneself). 

These words or qualities may be closely linked with wisdom, but they don’t necessarily capture the same depth. Words like acumen, common sense, and foresight may reflect one’s wits or intellectual ability, while experience may reflect acquired knowledge over time. However, not all of these qualities may capture someone's ability to act consciously in the present moment, and respond to situations as needed, such as offering compassion to a grandchild who broke a toy. 

Types of wisdom

There are various perspectives on wisdom. The Bible may discuss wisdom in terms of divine wisdom (originating from God) or earthly wisdom (rooted in human perspective). Some other forms of wisdom that are widely discussed include practical wisdom, theoretical wisdom, and moral wisdom. A certain amount of life wisdom may help people do the wise thing in a given situation.

Practical wisdom in everyday life

Practical wisdom can be defined as the ability to make positive, ethical decisions, especially in difficult situations and practical affairs. It’s important to recognize that there may not be a “correct” way to respond in every scenario. For example, doctors may bend the rules to provide the best care for their patients. Some examples of practical wisdom may include:

• A judge changing a sentence for a first-time offender so they can provide and care for their family.
• A parent letting their child stay up late for special occasions, rather than abiding by their bedtime schedule.
• A person expressing anger (as a one-off) in a relationship to provoke change, rather than standing by and letting things go unresolved.

Theoretical and philosophical wisdom

While practical wisdom may change according to the day and the situation, theoretical or philosophical wisdom focuses on stable, unchanging principles. These principles may include mathematical findings or insights about the collective human experience. The relationship between theoretical and practical wisdom has been explored by Aristotle and other great philosophers, and is often discussed in academic literature, including works published by the Cambridge University Press.

Moral wisdom and virtue

Moral wisdom is characterized by virtuous actions that are marked by good intentions. Actions typically align with someone's core, moral values. For example, someone who has struggled with homelessness and hunger in the past, may naturally offer compassion to those in similar situations. Moral wisdom involves a combination of ethical thinking, moral reasoning, and integrating virtue into everyday behaviors. 

Wisdom across culture and religion

For centuries, wisdom has been shared across cultures and religions. From the words of Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching to biblical wisdom literature and the words of William Shakespeare, wise men and women have passed down their insights over time.  

Eastern perspectives and classic texts

Spiritual and religious wisdom has been passed on for generations in eastern countries around the world, such as India, Thailand, and China. Classic texts have also been written to pass down insights and help people realize their human nature. One example of these texts includes the Tao Te Ching, written by a wise man named Lao Tzu, who is the founder of Taoism. Some quotes from the Tao Te Ching include:

• “Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
• “The further one goes, the less one knows.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
• “Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
• “The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
• “It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
• “A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

In Taoism, the Tao is considered the way of the universe. By exploring this eastern philosophy, people can better understand the truth of their existence and their inner nature. Research suggests that the practice of Taoism is associated with daily acceptance. Taoism practices include Tai Chi (moving meditation), Qigong (breathing exercises), and meditation. 

Biblical wisdom literature and divine wisdom

Biblical texts continue to be studied and practiced by individuals around the world today. Research suggests that spiritual and religious participation may lead to mental health benefits, potentially reducing symptoms of depression, suicidality, substance use, and PTSD. 

In Proverbs 1:7, it is stated that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and knowledge.” This quote emphasizes how divine wisdom may come from humility and the willingness to learn from others. Similarly, William Shakespeare wrote, "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." Again, this quote may highlight the importance of fostering self-awareness and intellectual humility when moving from ignorance to wisdom. 

How researchers measure wisdom 

Through assessments such as the SAWS (Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale) and the 3D-WS (Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale), researchers can measure wisdom, assessing people for traits such as emotion regulation, openness, self-reflection, and experience. Mental health professionals can provide assessments to help people measure these qualities, as well as techniques to enhance them.

Psychological theories of wisdom

The Berlin Wisdom Paradigm (BWP) is another approach used in empirical studies on wisdom, testing how individuals respond in difficult situations. During the BWP, individuals are presented with a challenging situation, and have to “think out loud” about how they would handle it. For example, a father may be told his 15-year-old daughter wants to get married immediately. To answer prompts, individuals must exercise problem-solving skills, drawing on knowledge, experience, and judgment. Some other theories researchers use to study wisdom include:

• Balance Theory of Wisdom: This theory suggests that wisdom is the ability to balance different aspects of human life, including intrapersonal (one’s own), interpersonal (others), and extrapersonal (the wider society) interests.
• Three-Dimensional Wisdom Theory: In the model, wisdom is made up of three dimensions: the cognitive dimension, the compassionate dimension, and the reflective dimension. 
• Self-Transcendence Wisdom Theory: Often associated with spirituality, this theory posits that true wisdom comes from letting go of personal desires, fostering self-awareness, and connecting with a higher consciousness or reality.

Other theories that are sometimes discussed in research include the Implicit Theory of Wisdom and the WIT theory, which highlights how wisdom may involve applying knowledge, experience, and one’s wits to solve problems. 

How to gain wisdom over time

While some people may have a more innate sense of or ability to develop wisdom, most people can increase their levels of almost any trait—including this one. 

Learning from experiences, reflections, and others

Many people agree that wisdom is at least partially a product of life experience. As one study on the topic puts it, “Empirical evidence indicates that people’s ability to think wisely varies dramatically across experiential contexts that they encounter over the life span”. If you’re looking to increase your wisdom, you might expose yourself to new opinions and experiences. This could be accomplished by traveling, learning about other cultures, and building relationships. You could also talk to people with different backgrounds than your own. 

In order to increase your own levels of wisdom, you might work toward engaging in reflection on past events. This could look like viewing your experiences in a nonjudgmental way, treating yourself with grace and compassion in relation to any mistakes or failures, and considering how you might use the lessons you learned to benefit yourself and others in the future. 

There have been many wise sayings and wise minds throughout history, and you may also have wise people in your life and community. Listening to and learning from them may help you develop your own sense of wisdom. For example, you might read books written by well-known philosophers—or anyone whose perspective or teachings you may be able to learn from. 

Getting support through BetterHelp

There are many reasons an individual might want to work toward increasing their sense of wisdom. They may wish to improve their decision-making abilities or interact in relationships in more positive ways. They also may simply want to expand their viewpoint and have a broader, more empathetic perspective on the world and the people around them. 

If you’re interested in cultivating a stronger sense of wisdom, you might consider meeting with a therapist. To this end, they can help you understand where your current beliefs and behaviors are coming from, support self-reflection and self-awareness, develop emotion regulation skills, and build skills like communication and conflict resolution for navigating interpersonal conflicts. This work can enhance people’s well-being and help them live a good life.

How online therapy works

If you’re interested in seeking therapy, you can typically choose from in-person or virtual sessions. Those who prefer receiving this type of support from the comfort of home or anywhere else they have an internet connection might find online therapy to be the right fit for them. With a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist whom you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to get the support you may need. Research suggests that both online and in-person therapy can offer similar benefits in most cases, so you can generally choose the format that feels right for you.