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Wisdom vs. Populism and Polarization: Learning to Regulate Our Evolved Intuitions

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Applying Wisdom to Contemporary World Problems

Abstract

Many countries in the so-called Western world seem to be taking an alarming turn toward nationalism, intolerance, political populism, and ideological polarization. In this chapter, I offer some wisdom-psychological perspectives on these recent changes. In short, research on moral judgment and on decision-making suggests that people often make judgments automatically, based on intuitions such as a propensity to favor in-group members or a preference for information that confirms one’s beliefs. Modern media may exacerbate the negative effects of these tendencies. In other words, while we are enjoying a record high in the worldwide availability of information, we may be moving toward a record low in worldwide wisdom. In the chapter, I discuss how wisdom psychology might contribute to counteracting these developments.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Judith Glück

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  1. Judith Glück
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Correspondence to Judith Glück .

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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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Glück, J. (2019). Wisdom vs. Populism and Polarization: Learning to Regulate Our Evolved Intuitions. 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_4

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