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The Practical Applications of Self-Transcendent Wisdom

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Applying Wisdom to Contemporary World Problems

Abstract

Practical wisdom is focused on sound decisions to promote a good life, while self-transcendent wisdom focuses on making ethical decisions for the greater good. Self-transcendence develops through self-knowledge, integration, and non-attachment, which focuses on decentering from egoistic perspectives. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of people and life in general, leading to a focus on ethical issues. Wisdom is generally perceived to be a characteristic of individuals, but it is clear that it develops in a social context. Further, wisdom can be considered an organizational attribute. Not only can organizational cultures promote and support the development of wisdom in individuals, but some have argued that wisdom can also be a characteristic of organizations, such as learning and adapting to new situations, making wise judgments, and focusing on the inherent ethics of any decision-making. Both practical and self-transcendent wisdom are clearly needed in our current economic and political institutions.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Healthy Aging Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Carolyn M. Aldwin

  2. Human Development & Family Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Michael R. Levenson

Authors
  1. Carolyn M. Aldwin
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  2. Michael R. Levenson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carolyn M. Aldwin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Robert J. Sternberg

  2. Center for Practical Wisdom, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Howard C. Nusbaum

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria

    Judith Glück

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Aldwin, C.M., Levenson, M.R. (2019). The Practical Applications of Self-Transcendent Wisdom. In: Sternberg, R., Nusbaum, H., Glück, J. (eds) Applying Wisdom to Contemporary World Problems. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20287-3_11

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