Wisdom: From Philosophy to Neuroscience
From Philosophy to Neuroscience. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2010.
Stephen S. Hall
"A compelling investigation into one of our most coveted and cherished
ideals, and the efforts of modern science to penetrate the mysterious
nature of this timeless virtue.
We all recognize wisdom, but defining it is more elusive. In this
fascinating journey from philosophy to science, Stephen S. Hall gives
us a dramatic history of wisdom, from its sudden emergence in four
different locations (Greece, China, Israel, and India) in the fifth
century B.C. to its modern manifestations in education, politics, and
the workplace. We learn how wisdom became the provenance of philosophy
and religion through its embodiment in individuals such as Buddha,
Confucius, and Jesus; how it has consistently been a catalyst for
social change; and how revelatory work in the last fifty years by
psychologists, economists, and neuroscientists has begun to shed light
on the biology of cognitive traits long associated with wisdom — and,
in doing so, begun to suggest how we might cultivate it.
Hall explores the neural mechanisms for wise decision making; the
conflict between the emotional and cognitive parts of the brain; the
development of compassion, humility, and empathy; the effect of
adversity and the impact of early-life stress on the development of
wisdom; and how we can learn to optimize our future choices and future
selves.
Hall's bracing exploration of the science of wisdom allows us to see
this ancient virtue with fresh eyes, yet also makes clear that despite
modern science's most powerful efforts, wisdom continues to elude easy
understanding."
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