Pursuing Wisdom

There is no telling how many problems and how much suffering could have been avoided if people had exercised wisdom. This primer provides a clarion call and hope for wisdom’s return to the public square. Wisdom is now made simple and accessible to leaders and learners thanks to this scholarly informed treatise on the nature of wisdom. -- Barbara Cockerham, retired professor, K-12 teacher and administrator, mentor
Wisdom is the essential ingredient to greatness most lacking in the world today in every sphere of influence. The authors not only accomplish their objective set forth in the preface to help anyone to become astute lovers and doers of wisdom but also provide a model for the common ground where the great issues of our day can be resolved. -- Hon. Will Dodson, senior retired judge, Ninth Administrative Judicial Region of Texas
This book is life changing. It is a well written, professorial presentation about wisdom and how to attain it. It is one of those "must read" books for anyone who wants to take wisdom seriously and become especially skilled at leading and developing leaders, from parents to presidents. -- Paul Kienel, founder, Association of Christian Schools International
This marvelously written volume, exploring various conceptions of wisdom, is aptly called a primer in both dictionary definitions of this term. It succeeds in being both an accessible elementary book for teaching and a book covering the core principles needed for a robust understanding and application of wisdom in personal and civic life. The authors examine the nature and role of wisdom in three fields: in philosophy where wisdom is an intellectual and moral virtue, in theology where wisdom results from encounters with transcendental reality interpreted by sacred texts, and in empirical inquiry where wisdom is the practical understanding and successful navigation of competing ethical values and priorities. The world would be a better place if leaders in business, politics, religion, and education attended closely to this work. -- Douglas E. Mitchell, professor, Graduate Division, University of California, Riverside
Wisdom, the first virtue on which all others hinge, is the sine qua non of exemplary leadership and necessary for society to function properly and thrive. This primer provides a clear and cogent model of wisdom with illuminating examples for readers to become the sophisticated and virtuous leaders that society desperately longs for and needs. The primer provides a word to the wise and should be assigned reading for all emerging and established leaders. -- Jay Orr, Community and Global Claremont Graduate University; former county executive officer, Riverside County
The authors do an incredible job of providing a holistic approach, one that demonstrates how all philosophical, theological, and empirical traditions share striking similarities in their understandings of the nature of wisdom. Humanity's on-going search for truth through the ages, as related by the authors, should guide and inspire us all. -- Donald C. Simmons, director of pastoral care and chair, medical ethics, North Mississippi Health System; former dean, chair, and professor of leadership and public service, McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service, Dakota Wesleyan University
The book is a godsend for educators. It provides new, yet timeless, insights on the nature of wisdom and how to elevate the wisdom quotients in schools and society and make the world a better place. -- Heather William, executive director, Personnel Services, Riverside County Office of Education
Wisdom appears to be in short supply among today's leaders. This excellent book examines wisdom through multiple perspectives arriving at a model to understand, acquire, practice and teach wisdom. I highly recommend it to leaders and learners as a helpful tool to bring more wisdom to our world. -- John Jacob Zucker Gardiner, emeritus professor of leadership, Seattle University
In Pursuing Wisdom: A Primer for Leaders and Learners, the authors expose the reader to a robust consideration of wisdom and its relationship to Truth and truth. The authors masterfully interweave theory and practice by exploring common ground and comparing divergent execution among a variety of philosophical, theological, and empirical perspectives. Using a collection of real-life narratives and crafted scenarios, the book helps readers better understand that “knowing truth and practicing wisdom involves different combinations of humility, confidence, faith, and reason regarding truth claims and corresponding judgments.” This is an intelligently accessible book that skillfully balances the why and how of pursuing wisdom. -- Andrea Scott, provost, George Fox University
I am excited about this opportunity to further explore wisdom from the lenses of a 40-year public safety leader, husband, father, coach and mentor. I’m excited to have a one-stop book of philosophy, theology and empirical tradition that I can dive into and take small bites to learn wisdom for life. As I press through my final chapter as a public service leader (Fire Chief), this book will give me and others the tools to summarize the so often mystical components of wisdom that are required to truly be successful in life. -- Michael D. Moore, M.P.A., EFO, fire chief, Riverside City Fire Department
Pursuing Wisdom is unique, insightful and takes a new perspective on wisdom and the practical application to leadership. This is a must-read primer that breaks down the BIG idea of what wisdom is into everyday bits, so all of us can live and lead wisely. -- Jenny Nuccio, founder and CEO of Imani Collective