Wisdom - The Rediscovery of a Forgotten Knowledge

Abstract

Wisdom is a concept that has deep roots in the history of our culture. Its meaning can be more easily grasped through examples, stories, mimetic rapprochements and reflections than through definitions. In terms of method this paper attempts to capture the essence of wisdom by describing some of its key characteristics without, however, trying to define exactly what wisdom is. A common scientific approach to phenomena is to attempt to define them precisely, and this could not possibly do justice to the complexity of wisdom, which has so many dimensions to it that it eludes definition. In this paper I propose therefore to sketch out a number of important characteristics, in order to try and grasp the complex phenomenon of wisdom without placing limitations on it in any way by defining it.

Keywords: knowledge, wisdom, anthropology, culture, mimesis