Toward Wisdom: Finding Our Way to Inner Peace, Love and Happiness [Paperback]

Copthorne MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1996

Toward Wisdom addresses the nature of wisdom, humanitys need for it, and ways and means of developing it. The situation the world faces today is extremely complex. Long-cherished values have begun to conflict with each other: material comfort vs. an uncontaminated world; economic growth now vs. economic well-being for our grandchildren. Toward Wisdom takes the position that the only way to make the world a better place is to make it a wiser place. Wisdom is no longer an option or a frill. We, and the world, need wisdom-based analyses of our problems followed by wisdom-based action. In the past, becoming wise was left to chance; a few people became wise before they died, but most did not. This lackadaisical approach will no longer do. Wisdom can be developed intentionally, and Toward Wisdom shows us how. The book examines some of the key impediments to wisdom what they are, how they work, how they came to be and introduces us to techniques for getting beyond them.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Wisdom is often confused with knowledge (information, data). Copthorne Macdonald began his personal journey as a narrowly focused engineer who understood how "things" work, but not how life "happens". In Toward Wisdom, Macdonald shows the reader the difference between wisdom and knowledge, and in so doing explains how that understanding is critical to our survival. Drawing from a variety of spiritual sources (from Christian mystics to Maslow) and from his own real and inner-world experiences, Macdonald says that we no longer see ourselves as part of one miraculous living process. As a result, we've become need-based exploiters of our own appetites and of the natural world. To become wisdom-oriented, we must begin to see the unity behind the illusions of separateness to "recognize" that we were always "waves in the ocean". We arrive at this point, Macdonald insists, not by acquiring more information but by re-experiencing our place in the greater scheme of things. Toward Wisdom challenges us to move beyond an information-based society to a wisdom-based one. Toward Wisdom is thoughtful, insightful, provocative reading and a significant contribution to the philosophical understanding of our place in the scheme of things. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Copthorne Macdonald is a writer, independent scholar, and former communication systems engineer. He writes about wisdom, personal growth, the nature of reality, and creating a sustainable future. His published works include six books (two on the subject of wisdom) and over 130 articles, reviews, and column installments. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing Co. (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571740449
• ISBN-13: 978-1571740441
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,392,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must read for those of you looking for understanding, September 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Toward Wisdom: Finding Our Way to Inner Peace, Love and Happiness (Paperback)

This book is going to help me work towards a more wisdom based life, it already has in just the short time it took me to read the book. Alot of information for those of us looking for answers,and inner peace. I am going to read it again, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. :o)