There is absolutely no substitute for wisdom. Wisdom, the sense of the fitness of things, is what allows you to say the right thing at the right time, to do the right thing at the right time or to refrain from speaking or acting when the time is right.
The alternatives to wisdom, namely, the use of rules and incentives to maintain order and generate momentum, are undesirable in that they create a dependency which eventually demoralizes the people engaged in the activity as well as the activity itself.
I am of the opinion that people long to be virtuous, meaningful and productive. In a world where virtue, meaning and productivity frequently play second fiddle to fitting in, toeing the line and just getting by, it can be a challenge to live an uncommon life.
Life ruled by carrots and sticks are a far cry from a world where the genuine article – wisdom – governs the hearts and minds of men. The failure to restore the virtue of practical wisdom to it rightful place will have dire consequences: the death of the human spirit.
The inspiration for this post came from Barry Schwartz’ TED recent presentation. Schwartz makes a compelling argument for the resuscitation of the virtue of practical wisdom that I feel more people should hear.
Gregory Hake 
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The death of the human spirit would seem the end of
anything meaningful. All that can happen after that is more
enslavement by avarice and ignorance. The TED presentation outlined
some practical applications of wisdom. I think wisdom is sometimes
thought as lofty, idealistic and unrealistic but it is the exact
opposite. It is always available. It doesn’t call for any perfect
set of circumstances. It works to make things as perfect as
possible in the moment that it is brought into the equation. What
it takes is a heart unencumbered by greed, hate, fear or even just
dissatisfaction. It requires a heart available for service. Great
post,thanks.
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Here is an answer to the question that has been plaguing man for a very long time. How do you get people to do the right thing, and how do you do the right thing yourself? As we can see from the last 100 years in the USA, as the population grows, people need to be able to act in a wiser manner, because an increase in rules cannot keep up with the havoc an unwise person will create.
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You’re right about Barry’s presentation. If everyone could listen to that with a concern to better the whole world, beginning with the little part they occupy, we could ask for the check, pay the bill and be done with this mess!
When you hear the statistics about the soldier’s court you can see how fast a difference can be made. That judge changed or saved a lot more people then just the soldiers in front of him; their children,spouses,parents,families and people like us inspired and encouraged by his success.
I read stories like the ones he used as examples and wonder why there isn’t a huge outcry for sanity, then I realize we have created a world motivated by greed and enforced by fear, where wisdom is barely demonstrated or even solicited; but it still lives in the hearts of some. It may not be to late.
Thanks Gregg,I’ll pass this on. I think there are many “system changers” and places like TED and your blog amplify the initiative by those who are willing to do the work in their own sphere of influence to let things change,now.
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Your description of wisdom is so interesting. We live in world where regulations, tenets and laws are what govern our lives. Although this is absolutely necessary the way things are, I can’t help but imagine a world where people are dictated by something bigger, better and different. The presentation you linked to was an interesting perspective into the psychology of why rules replace wisdom.
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