Full Idea
An ancient Greek would have said that being wise is an ethical value.
Gist of Idea
For ancient Greeks being wise was an ethical value
Source
Hilary Putnam (Reason, Truth and History [1981], Ch.6)
Book Reference
Putnam,Hilary: 'Reason, Truth and History' [CUP 1998], p.132
A Reaction
This is instantly appealing, but since the Enlightenment we are under an obligation to attempt to justify absolutely everything, including the value of wisdom. I'm thinking that it only has value if it leads to eudaimonia.