How do we turn knowledge into wisdom?
We can define knowledge as contextualised, processed information, can only be produced by a person, cannot be replicated, but can be partially codified into information for transmission to generate further knowledge in another person.
“Wisdom is a quality or state. It requires knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.” So, wisdom comes from using good judgement to apply good knowledge.
To become wise we need an effective knowledge management system to ensure we collect, validate, and understand the right information. This learning process builds good knowledge.
And then we need Hogarth’s “kind learning environments” to apply our good knowledge in situations where we can acquire a match between the choices we make based on our knowledge and the expected outcome. This develops good judgement.
Someone who has good knowledge and good judgement in a particular field we might call an ‘expert. Someone who has good knowledge in multiple fields and demonstrates good judgement across all because they are able to cross-pollinate is called… ‘wise’.