Wiser : the scientific roots of wisdom, compassion, and what makes us good

From the field's pioneer, an exploration of the neurobiology and psychology of wisdom : what science says it is and how to nurture it within yourself—at any stage of your life. What exactly does it mean to be "wise?" And is it possible to grow and even accelerate its unfolding? For over two decades, Dr. Dilip Jeste has led the search for the biological and cognitive roots of wisdom. What's emerged from his work is that wisdom is a very real and deeply multilayered set of traits. Across many cultures and centuries, he's found that wise people are compassionate and empathetic, aware of their gifts and blind spots, open-minded, resolute and calm amid uncertainty, altruistic decision-makers who learn from their experiences, able to see from many perspectives and "altitudes," and often blessed with a sense of adventure and humor. "The modern rise in suicides, opioid abuse, loneliness, and internet addiction is damaging people's health and destroying the social fabric," Dr. Jeste reflects. But we all have the ability to nurture and grow every facet of wisdom to face these challenges and others more effectively. If you seek to be a wiser person—with your family, at work, and in your community—this book will show you how, with the researcher who's launched and advanced this exciting new path to our highest human potential. Title Page Praise for Wiser Copyright Dedication Introduction Part I: What Is Wisdom? Chapter 1: Defining Wisdom The Emerging Science of Wisdom From Schizophrenia to Wisdom What Do Scientists Know about Wisdom? Chapter 2: The Neuroscience of Wisdom This Is Your Brain on Paper Mapping the Brain Bumpy Skulls and What Lies Within The Telling Tragedy of Phineas Gage How Disease Reveals Wisdom by Its Absence Whither Wisdom? Chapter 3: Wisdom and Aging Why Aging Is Good for Society Grandparent Genes Mind Over Diminishing Matter Life Lessons at the End of Life Disease, Dementia, Decline, Depression, and Death Your Brain Is a Muscle—Use It Workouts and Work-Arounds Chapter 4: Measuring Wisdom Counting What Counts Are IQ Tests Really Intelligent? How Do You Quantify Wisdom? Changing the Paradigm Wisdom in Three Dimensions New SAWS The San Diego Wisdom Scale (SD-WISE) SD-WISE and Your Wisdom Index Following Up Part II: Components of Wisdom Chapter 5: Cultivating Compassion The Altruistic Brain A Lack of Empathy Why Care about Strangers? The Importance of Self-Compassion Gender and the Genetics of Compassion Does Meditation Help? Gratitude Writ Large Use Your Words Now, with Feelings Chapter 6: Emotional Regulation with Happiness Emotions, Feelings, and Moods The Nature of Homeostasis Does Happiness Change in Later Life? Stress, Optimism, and Resilience Who Doesn’t Like Marshmallows? Measuring Emotions and Emotional Regulation Happy Has a Home Genetics of Emotions Fitting Image The Perils of Acting Rashly, Again and Again Can There Be Too Much Emotional Self-Control? Impulse Control and the Art of Boosting Emotional Regulation Certainty in an Uncertain World Chapter 7: Balancing Decisiveness with Acceptance of Uncertainty A Day for Dilemmas Working with What You’ve Got and Know Decision-Making in the Brain Bad Is Good Is Bad Is Good The Inevitabilty of Unpredictability Decisional Capacity Critical Thinking Acceptance of Diversity of Values Decision-Making Techniques Chapter 8: Self-Reflection, Curiosity, and Humor Take a Look at Yourself The Reflection Section No Time to Think The Benefits of Self-Affirmation Not Thinking at All Common Curiosity The Curious Path Laughed but Not Least A Caveman Walks into a Cave . . . The Joke’s in You The Best Medicine Higher Callings Chapter 9: Spirituality Religiosity “Versus” Spirituality Measuring Religiosity and Spirituality The Nature of Spirituality Spirituality in Wisdom The Body of Spirit: Health Outcomes Possible Neurobiological Roots of Spirituality Enhancing Spirituality Part III: Enhancing Practical and Societal Wisdom Chapter 10: Becoming Wiser Faster Science Looks to Intervene Practical Wisdom Means Wise Decision-Making in Daily Life Self-Reflection Empathy and Compassion Mindfulness Prosocial Activities Emotional Regulation Gratitude Openness to New Experience Alone Time Spirituality Other Psychological Interventions Physical Activity Interventions Chapter 11: Wisdom Boosters Drugs: Smart and Wise? Technology: Games and Gadgets Artificial Wisdom? Chapter 12: The Future of Wisdom Taking Measure of Societal or National Status Individual Versus Societal Wisdom Is Societal Wisdom Increasing or Decreasing? Wiser Faster: Individuals and Society Practical Individual and Societal Wisdom During Crises Acknowledgments Notes Index About the Authors From the field's pioneer, an exploration of the neurobiology and psychology of wisdom : what science says it is and how to nurture it within yourself?at any stage of your life. What exactly does it mean to be "wise?" And is it possible to grow and even accelerate its unfolding? For over two decades, Dilip Jeste, MD, has led the search for the biological and cognitive roots of wisdom. What's emerged from his work is that wisdom is a very real and deeply multi-layered set of traits. Across many cultures and centuries, he's found that wise people are: Compassionate and empathetic, aware of their gifts and blind spots, open-minded, resolute and calm amid uncertainty, altruistic decision-makers who learn from their experiences, able to see from many perspectives and "altitudes," and often blessed with a sense of adventure and humor. "The modern rise in suicides, opioid abuse, loneliness, and internet addiction is damaging people's health and destroying the social fabric," Dr. Jeste reflects. But we all have the ability to nurture and grow every facet of wisdom to face these challenges and others more effectively. If you seek to be a wiser person?with your family, at work, and in your community?this book will show you how, with the researcher who's launched and advanced this exciting new path to our highest human potential From the field's pioneer, an exploration of the neurobiology and psychology of wisdom : what science says it is and how to nurture it within yourself, at any stage of your life What exactly does it mean to be "wise?" And is it possible to grow—and even accelerate—its unfolding? The modern epidemics of suicides, opioid abuse, loneliness, and internet addiction are damaging people's health and destroying the social fabric. This book shows how you can take control of your life by increasing your wisdom. For over two decades, Dilip Jeste, MD, has led the search for the biological and cognitive roots of wisdom. What's emerged from his work is that wisdom is a very real and deeply multi-layered set of traits. Across many cultures and centuries, he's found that wise people are: Compassionate and empathetic; aware of their gifts and blind spots; open-minded; resolute and calm amid uncertainty; altruistic... "From the field's pioneer, an exploration of the neurobiology and psychology of wisdom: what science says it is and how to nurture it within yourself, at any stage of your life"-- Provided by publisher