From knowledge to wisdom

Nicholas Maxwell contends that science and the humanities need to be transformed, and he makes the case on both intellectual and humanitarian grounds. He imagines a form of scholarly inquiry deliberately organised around helping people work out how to build a better world.

On his account, the central purpose of such inquiry would be to pursue and foster wisdom. Wisdom here means the ability to recognise what is worthwhile in life, both for oneself and for others. It includes knowledge and practical technical skill, but reaches well beyond them.