Abstract
Three of us at the NEH Institute formulated definitions having to do with wisdom. In this paper, I want to examine these definitions dialectically, exploring both the ways in which they agree and the ways in which they disagree. Where they disagree I shall seek to determine which, if any, provides the best account. My objective is to end up with a definition of wisdom that is maximally satisfactory.
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Notes
This definition was given to me (in writing) by Lehrer several days after the NEH Institute ended.
Ryan’s definition is her refinement of a definition originated by Bruce Russell. Both definitions may be found in Ryan’s paper “What Is Wisdom?” which is included in this anthology.
Schopenhauer’s pessimistic philosophy is derived from his (creative) interpretation of Kant and Buddha, especially as these two thinkers influenced his concept of the will. His most systematic development of these ideas may be found in his book, The World As Will And Idea.
See F.M. Cornford’s translation of Plato’s Republic,pages 41-53 and again 301-320.
See Lehrer’s Theory of Knowledge,pages 147-151.
Julia Annas, who spoke on Sextus Empiricus’ conception of wisdom at the NEH Institute, describes the goal of scepticism as “the freedom from disturbance with respect to matters of belief and also moderate states with respect to things that are matters of compulsion.”
See Barry Stroud’s interesting discussion of Hume on wisdom, “Hume’s Scepticism: Natural Instincts and Philosophical Reflection,” Philosophical Topics, Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 1991.
Pascal argued in his Pensées and elsewhere that we can’t know whether or not God exists, but that (for pragmatic reasons) we ought to have faith that God exists nonetheless.
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© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Garrett, R. (1996). Three Definitions of Wisdom. In: Lehrer, K., Lum, B.J., Slichta, B.A., Smith, N.D. (eds) Knowledge, Teaching and Wisdom. Philosophical Studies Series, vol 67. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2022-9_17
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