Wisdom

Articles, Films and practical Guides on wisdom, part of Psyche’s coverage of values and ethical living.
WISDOM
1

How to find your InnSæi

In uncertain times, an Icelandic concept can help you reconnect with your intuition and follow your inner compass

by Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir

Photo of an elderly man speaking at a podium with a microphone onstage, wearing a dark suit and glasses.
CREATIVITY

James Earl Jones reads Kurt Vonnegut on why art is central to a meaningful life

Video by Letters Live

Two colourful birds on a branch one with wings spread against a blurred background.
COMPASSION AND EMPATHY

I’m trying a different approach to listening

Practising Carl Rogers’s unconditional positive regard helps me be more compassionate and less judgmental – of myself too

by Molly Williamson

A dirt path lined with baobab trees by water, an ox-drawn cart carrying people.
WISDOM

African proverbs provide the blueprint for a meaningful life

Incorporating ancient African wisdom into wellbeing interventions could push positive psychology beyond its Western roots

by Richard Appiah

Illustration of diverse people in warm tones, depicting a crowded scene with varied clothing and hairstyles.
WISDOM
8

Wisdom is a virtue, but how do we judge if someone has it?

Our team explored who is considered wise in cultures with contrasting philosophical traditions. The results surprised us

by Maksim Rudnev & Igor Grossmann

Photo of two people embracing one another, with a hand gently placed on the back of a person wearing a blue jacket.
DECISION-MAKING

Going with your gut feels good, but it’s not always wise

Research is revealing the mood benefits of making intuitive decisions, but some situations call for an analytical approach

by Carina Remmers

Photo of a war-torn street with a destroyed tank, damaged buildings and a person walking on a muddy path during snowfall.
HISTORY OF IDEAS

Five timeless lessons for life from the Athenian tragedies

In a world filled with grief-fuelled rage, cultivating a tragic mindset can help you to live with grace and dignity

by Andy Owen

Black and white photo of an elderly person in sunglasses and hat, wearing a fur-collared coat, standing in a street.
THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

Why academia should embrace ‘Grandma’s metaphysics’

‘Grandma’s metaphysics’ and other sources of wisdom are vital if academia is to embrace diversity and fully benefit from it

by Devin Sanchez Curry

Photo of a woman and girl sitting on steps, embracing affectionately. The girl rests her head on the woman’s lap.
PARENTING AND FAMILIES
3

How to connect with your grandchildren

You have a joyous opportunity to support the next generation. Be yourself, be firm but fair, and bond through tradition

by Jill Lawson

Bronze statue head with curly hair and beard on black background, depicting a solemn expression, sculpture.
THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE
15

Lost perspective? Try this linguistic trick to reset your view

By using ‘distanced self-talk’, you can leverage the structure of language to take a step back and see the bigger picture

by Ariana Orvell

Image of an urban housing area at dusk with a distant view of apartment buildings and a blurred figure in the foreground.
POETRY

Ideas and metal spark in beautiful unison for a welder-turned-poet

Directed by Callum Rice

Painting of a woman with reddish hair and flushed cheeks holding a white cloth to her mouth, with a soft, blurred background.
KNOWLEDGE AND REASON

How to know who’s trustworthy

Knotty problems call for sound advice. Use philosophy to find the intellectually dependable amid the frauds and egotists

by T Ryan Byerly

Photo of three men in jackets and beanies looking intently, with a group of people in the background on a cloudy day.
THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE

Much ado about uncertainty: how Shakespeare navigates doubt

‘I know this sure uncertainty’: how Shakespeare’s vision of an unpredictable world can help us live with doubt and error

by Lorenzo Zucca

Illustration of a woman on a bench by a cityscape with a red sun and blooming branches, conveying serenity and nature.
THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

How to foster ‘shoshin’

It’s easy for the mind to become closed to new ideas. Cultivating a beginner’s mind helps us rediscover the joy of learning

by Christian Jarrett