Besides Baltes' Berlin Wisdom Model, the most prominent wisdom related theory is Sternberg's Balance Theory. Sternberg approached wisdom a little differently than Baltes did. While Baltes focused on the amount of wisdom-related knowledge participants have, Sternberg focused on one's ability to apply practical intelligence when making wise decisions.
Sternberg's View on Wisdom:
Wisdom is about having balanced actions that serve the common good.
According to Sternberg, wisdom is based on tacit knowledge learned in the hardest times of our lives. It can't be taught from direct instruction or through formal education, unlike what Baltes believes in his definition of wisdom.
Wisdom is about having balanced actions that serve the common good.
According to Sternberg, wisdom is based on tacit knowledge learned in the hardest times of our lives. It can't be taught from direct instruction or through formal education, unlike what Baltes believes in his definition of wisdom.
- Tacit Knowledge: the action component of practical intelligence (know how to deal with problems wisely)
Sternberg's Balance Theory
To be deemed as wise, Sternberg believes one must be able to balance clashing needs and opinions of themselves and others as best as possible, with the goal of serving the common good.
As shown below, tacit knowledge and one's values feed into a wise person's ability to balance everyone's interests as well as being able to choose the most appropriate response in order to serve the common good.
As shown below, tacit knowledge and one's values feed into a wise person's ability to balance everyone's interests as well as being able to choose the most appropriate response in order to serve the common good.
