A Phenomenological Study of Wisdom in Later Life

Abstract

There is growing agreement that wisdom is multidimensional. But are the dimensions imputed to wisdom by recent theories congruent with major attributes of wisdom as lived by aging adults? Significant data exist on the attributes that various populations, including elderly populations, associate with wisdom. But there is little data available on what attributes and dimensions of wisdom emerge in descriptions of wisdom as lived by older adults. To produce such data, we adopted a phenomenological approach to wisdom. Interviews were conducted individually with six older adults. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a qualitative software program known as MAX. We concluded that essential elements of wisdom as it is lived are Guidance, Knowledge, Experience, Moral Principles, Time, and Compassionate Relationships.

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