Wisdom development and self-transcendence: A merging of self and Other
Possibility Studies & Society June 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/27538699241233092 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that wisdom development leads to self-transcendence and a consciousness of oneness, a merging of self and other, so that the wise respond to the Other by focusing on common humanity rather than on otherness. This contrasts with Streib's proposal that xenocentric responsiveness to the extraordinary Other produces wise reasoning and behavior. |
Abstract
Streib proposed that xenocentric responsiveness to the extraordinary Other will lead to wise reasoning and wise behavior because listening to and getting (rather than taking) the perspective of the Other will broaden one’s horizon and provide new, non-normative, innovative, creative, and wise responses to social issues. By contrast, I argue that wisdom development leads to self-transcendence and a consciousness of oneness, which is a merging of self and other. Therefore, when responding to the Other, the wise do not focus on otherness but on our common humanity.