Dear Friends of Wisdom,

                                       Where do we go from here?  There is agreement, I think, that we need to create awareness of the profound importance of transforming universities so that they come to put wisdom-inquiry into practice rather than knowledge-inquiry, as at present.

                                       Who do we target?

1.    Philosophers and philosophers of science.  Students of higher education.

2.    Leading academics – especially those who may be sympathetic.

3.    Public figures likely to be sympathetic.

4.    Students.

5.    Research councils.  Grant giving bodies.

6.    University administrators, from vice-presidents down (especially, perhaps, of elite universities).

7.    The media.

8.    Politicians.

9.    NGOs and Campaigning groups engaged in related endeavours, such as Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Scientists for Global Responsibility, Crises Forum.

10. Colleagues.

11. The public, via Twitter, Facebook, etc.

(This list overlaps with, but is not quite the same as, Lee Beaumont’s list.  It is not set in stone!)

                               How might we proceed?  Once we have agreed on an acceptable list of targets, should we ask for volunteers to work away at trying to get through to each group?  Volunteers for philosophers; volunteers for leading academics, and so on?

                                      I am certainly ready to volunteer for 1.  It might be a good idea if those who are ready to work away at any of the above groups, let me, or Friends of Wisdom, know, so that we can coordinate our efforts.

                                      Over the years, I have posted off many emails and  letters (to individuals, emailing groups, newspapers) spelling out as succinctly and vividly as I have been able the profound importance and urgency of transforming academic inquiry.  Here, attached, are a few of these missives, which could be used as templates, first drafts, to be modified as seems suitable for particular audiences and occasions.  There is also what we say on our Friends of Wisdom website, at  http://www.knowledgetowisdom.org/index.htm , and what I say on my website, at www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom .  And there is a vast amount of material at http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/view/people/ANMAX22.date.html , available for exploitation.

                         Best wishes,

                             Nick Maxwell

Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom
Publications online: http://philpapers.org/profile/17092
http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/view/people/ANMAX22.date.html