Nosce te ipsum: reflexões sobre a sabedoria

The topic of this article is the concept of wisdom, which is very ancient and has been adapted in different cultures, thus attracting much interest in the fields of philosophy, religion and science. In the philosophical context, I mention the Greek philosophers, from the 6th century BCE, such as Pythagoras, Socrates, Aristotle and Heraclitus. As regards religion, we only have to consider the "Book of Wisdom" in the Bible and, concerning the distinction between Science and wisdom, I recall the great French thinker Jacques Maritain. To put the subject in a frame of reference, I reflect about its evolution, both in the East and the West, thus trying to enunciate a comprehensive definition of wisdom and to analyze the complex cultural contexture of the concept, as well as its nature, origin and development from a transversal perspective. Mentions are also made to the reviewing display, to the notoriety of theme and to the designation of "wise man". Considering that the most recent analyses follow a culturally inclusive model and try to decipher the various components that have contributed to our present perspective on the subject, my aim in this essay -as I reflect on the history of wisdom and about its place in the world nowadays and analyze its constitution and the motif of its relevance –is to contribute to a debate, which has an intersecting conceptual basis. I hope that my considerations will motivate the readers to reflect both on the present concepts and on the classical notions of wisdom, so that with my reflections I may somewhat help to bring wisdom back to our society, thus implementing a knowledgeable understanding of the idea and redefining our human condition and our experience of life. Among other justifications, I think that an analysis of the concept is both necessary and beneficial in our times when wisdom should be seen as the highest ideal to be attained -as it is a virtue that leads men to pursuit what is Good, True and Beautiful-thus contributing to our personal and collective development and constituting what can be seen as a new paradigm of the 21th century.