Abstract
Possible tensions between wisdom and happiness have been extensively debated in philosophy. Some regard wisdom as the ‘supreme
part of happiness’, whereas other think that a more accurate and wiser view on reality might reduce happiness. Analyzing a
Dutch internet survey of 7037 respondents, we discovered that wisdom and happiness were modestly positively related. Wisdom,
measured with the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS), explained 9.2% of the variation in hedonic happiness. The correlation
with the reflective dimension of wisdom was the strongest. In addition, wisdom was more important for happiness among adults
with only an elementary education. Our results suggest that happiness and wisdom do not conflict.
part of happiness’, whereas other think that a more accurate and wiser view on reality might reduce happiness. Analyzing a
Dutch internet survey of 7037 respondents, we discovered that wisdom and happiness were modestly positively related. Wisdom,
measured with the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS), explained 9.2% of the variation in hedonic happiness. The correlation
with the reflective dimension of wisdom was the strongest. In addition, wisdom was more important for happiness among adults
with only an elementary education. Our results suggest that happiness and wisdom do not conflict.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-19
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-011-9275-5
- Authors
- Ad Bergsma, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Monika Ardelt, Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law, University of Florida, P.O. Box 117330, Gainesville, FL 32611-7330, USA
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978