Single Idea 20186

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom]

Full Idea

A distinctive mark of wisdom is that it cannot be misused, whereas knowledge surely can be misused.

Gist of Idea

Unlike knowledge, wisdom cannot be misused

Source

Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], I 1.2)

Book Reference

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.23


A Reaction

She will argue, with Aristotle, that this is because wisdom (and maybe 'true' knowledge) must include 'phronesis' (practical wisdom), which is the key to all the virtues, intellectual and moral. This idea is striking, and obviously correct.