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Wisdom: Its Nature, Origins, and Development

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This book is one of the best I have seen for attempting to circumscribe, describe, and subtly prescribe what the concept of wisdom is .
While taking my philosophy degree I was concerned with the manner that our professors would state truths as declaritive certainties. Truth was determinate, fixed, and eternal.
After living a life for a while, these truths that were supposed to give an internal compass to action appeared too facile. A more empirical and responsive approach seemed to be called for
This book describes wisdom in a way that is much more responsive to the real actions and life as its lived. I see it as a more integrated and balanced approach.

This is a collection of essays edited by Robert J. Sternberg on the subject of the nature, origins and development of Wisdom. In the opening chapter Sternberg explains the organization of the book, and briefly summarizes each of the individual essays. One section focuses on 'Philosophical Approaches to Wisdom' and another on 'Folk Approaches to Wisdom'. Sternberg himself has a chapter on Intelligence, Creativity and Wisdom.
The claim is that this is the first collection of professional essays on the subject. Interest in the subject has greatly expanded since the first publication of the essays.
One central area of study has to do with 'Aging and Wisdom' and why it is that the Aged are considered to be the Wise. An obvious answer points to their accumulated knowledge, but there is also the idea that having experienced much in life they may have a calm and perspective in making decisions which provide true wisdom.
Another aspect of Wisdom touched upon in the book relates to the Wisdom required of leaders. Another has to do with the Wisdom required in the business of everyday life. Yet a third has to do with the wisdom involved in making decisions for the family.
Certain examples of Wisdom come to mind. Kutuzov in 'War and Peace' the wily general cursed for not attacking the invading French has the wisdom to wait, and draw the French Forces deep into the heart of Russia where General Winter destroys them. The image here of Wisdom is connected with Patience, and an overall understanding of the motion of history and reality.
Other images of 'wise people' come to mind. Two women who kept their extended families together, who showed a way of connecting and helping various family members.
I now think of another aspect of Wisdom which connects it with a certain kind of Resignation , understanding of the inevitabilities of life. The old fisherman of Hemingway, the old man of the sea, who can be destroyed but not defeated.
And I go back to another image of the wiseman, Koheleth seeking out the truth of life, and teaching vanity of vanities all is vanity. And ending with the ' fear God' admonition.
It seems to me most of us are looking for guidance, help, wisdom.
This anthology gives a great deal of material which can help us better understand what that might be.
One element certainly is the editor and author Sternberg's wise humility in understanding that even the wisemen he has gathered together to study and understand 'wisdom' have not provided the last word on the subject.