ARTICLE
While researchers agree that wisdom is too complex to be quantified and measured scientifically, new research suggests that it is a direct contributor to psychological well- being and happiness. The conclusion comes from a new review paper published in the May/June issue of the Harvard Review of Psychiatry Study authors traced different aspects of wisdom to different parts of the brain. The authors begin their paper with a quote from Plato that reads, “Wisdom alone is the science of other sciences.” The researchers start by defining wisdom, stating that it has been discussed differently across ages in different religions and philosophies. Over the last few decades research has focussed on assessing wisdom. The researchers write that just like other psychological parameters such as stress, resilience and consciousness can be measured, so can wisdom. They look at texts from ancient time to modern scientific research and have defined wisdom in their article as, “a complex human trait with several specific components: social decision making, emotion regulation, prosocial behaviors, self-reflection, acceptance of uncertainty, decisiveness, and spirituality.” The authors explored ancient religious and philosophical texts and their reference to wisdom. This includes “the Sebayt, Egyptian scrolls dating from 2000 to 1700 BC, and the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu philosophical/religious scripture... Old Testament books of Job, Psalms, and Proverbs.” They speak of ancient Eastern philosophers and their wisdom including “Confucius to Buddha”, ancient Greek philosophers, including “Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle”. The review traces the course of history of wisdom and its assessment across the globe. The authors write, “Openness to new experiences as a young adult and lifelong psychosocial growth were predictive of wisdom in old age, while emotional stability and extraverted personality were predictive of well-being in old age.” The researchers claim that all the research on wisdom reveals that it has a neurobiological basis and mainly two areas of the brain are affected. These include the prefrontal cortex and the limbic striatum. The authors write, “Loss of wisdom has also been observed in frontotemporal dementia, a dementia that is initially characterized not by memory loss but by personality changes such as impulsivity, poor social awareness, disinhibition, antisocial behavior, and apathy.” The scientists write that all research points to the fact the “wisdom is linked to better overall health, well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, and resilience.” They explain that with age, despite failing health, wisdom seems to increase and this leads to better life satisfaction and quality of life. The researchers say that a “greater emphasis [should be placed] on promoting wisdom through our educational systems from elementary to professional schools.” The team proposes development of wisdom saying a model of wisdom development would draw “from genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences”. They write that certain genes from grandparents might inculcate positive psychological traits and propensity to develop wisdom. There is a need to expand empirical research on wisdom, given its immense but largely untapped potential for enhancing mental health of individuals and promoting well-being of the society at large.” Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190515/Research-suggests-wisdom-is-linked-to-happiness-and-mental-health.aspx
While researchers agree that wisdom is too complex to be quantified and measured scientifically, new research suggests that it is a direct contributor to psychological well- being and happiness. The conclusion comes from a new review paper published in the May/June issue of the Harvard Review of Psychiatry