If we want to sort out the idea of wisdom by by definitions then I suggest
we have to take account of the fact (as I see it) that wisdom has two
fairly distinct definitions, one being the simple grammatical principle
that it is the nounal form of 'wise' (and therefore is subordinate to the
notion of being wise, which surely incorporates such concerns as the
intuition of the agent) and the other being the more tangible notion of a
body of ideas the astute appropriation of which constitutes being wise.
Perhaps it would be wise for list members to consider that we basically
know what Nick Maxwell is trying to say, i.e. (IIUC) that knowledge should
point us in some kind of general direction as regards what is or should -
by some kind of intuition-based rationality, even if it is imperfect - be
our common human goals, and it is time to take steps in that direction.
Cheers,
Tom
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