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Septagram illustrating disciplines which comprise cognitive science (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) BY PHYLLIS KORKKI Since ancient times, the elusive concept of wisdom has figured prominently in philosophical and religious texts. The question remains compelling: What is wisdom, and how does it play out in individual lives? Vivian Clayton, a geriatric neuro psychologist in Orinda, California , developed a definition of wisdom in the 1970s that has served as a foundation for research on the subject ever since. After scouring ancient texts, she found that most people described as wise were decision makers. So she asked a group of law students, law professors and retired judges to name the characteristics of a wise person. She determined that wisdom consists of three key components: cognition, reflection and compassion. Research shows that cognitive functioning slows as people age. But a recent study in Topics in Cognitive Science pointed out that older people have much more info...

By Dr James Dobson There’s a very special gift that men and women in their 50s, 60s and 70s have to offer to the people they come in contact with. That gift is wisdom — gleaned from years of experience. Wisdom can encourage and build up, and offer hope in troubled times. In days gone by, extended families lived together in the same house — young and old. People were able to get fresh perspectives, just by hashing out the events of the day at the dinner table. But in today’s mobile society, most of us live away from our families, and this valuable interaction is lacking. If you’re getting on in years, I’d urge you to find someone younger in your life that you could befriend. That frustrated young mother down the street might love to have an older woman come by for coffee , to listen and to say: “That’s normal. I remember when I felt just that way.” The young man in the office down the hall needs to hear from someone older and wiser: “You’re doing a good job. Keep up the good ...