Exploring Diverse Perceptions of Wise Persons: Wisdom in Gifted Education

Abstract

Throughout history, there have been many definitions of wisdom, but the concept remains abstract and ephemeral throughout the ages and from different parts of the world. What does it really mean to be a wise person? Although not stated explicitly, one of the implicit expectations in gifted education would be to foster wise citizens, and not merely smart people. Therefore, agreement on the concept of a wise person is a much-needed process especially in this fast-changing world. In this chapter, various definitions of wisdom will be explored, along with examining some contemporary studies and instruments for measuring wisdom to shed some light on the concept of a wise person. Through an empirical study in Korea, we explored some concrete descriptors of the conception of a wise person. Then we proceeded to look at differences between age groups. Next, conceptions of a wise man and a wise woman are reported. Korea offers an interesting point of view in that it has a long history as an exemplary Asian country with Asian values and also has integrated Western values through its rapid economic development and globalisation. Hence, Korea holds a mixture of traditional Asian values and contemporary Western conceptions at the same time. Therefore, looking into the concept of a wise person in the Korean population will offer insights into the evolving conceptions of wisdom and wise persons. Additionally, implications of the study are explored.