Where does wisdom come from?
On the surface not an obvious candidate subject for this feature, but that’s the point: we’re drilling down deep. From researchers at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine comes evidence that there is indeed a neurobiological pathway and specific brain circuitry associated with attributes such as empathy, compassion, emotional stability, self-understanding and tolerance for others’ values. The scientists concluded that several brain regions are involved and suggested that the neurobiology of wisdom is based on a balance between primitive brain regions such as the limbic system and more recently developed areas, namely the pre-frontal cortex. But don’t take my word for it: here’s the abstract of a scientific report on the subject; it appeared in the April, 2009 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. •••••••••••••••••••••••• Neurobiology of Wisdom: A Literature Overview Context Wisdom is a unique psychological trait noted since antiquity, long discussed in humanitie
