**What we define as wisdom is complex and is something that, in my opinion, you *have* rather than something you gain.** I personally dislike the idea of the wisdom of elders. I think that there is a perspective and a mindset on life that makes people wise. I see wisdom as more of a natural disposition and a personality trait rather than something that can be acquired or learned over time. Adding to this, I don’t think that there is a specific set of qualities or a specific type of person who is wise either. Society often conflates wisdom with intelligence however as [American Psychiatric Associatiate Dilip Jeste](https://changingaging.org/blog/elder-wisdom-exist/) says “Wise people are intelligent,” he says, “but not all intelligent people are wise.” So yes, I do think that there is such a thing as wisdom, but I think that it is a much more nuanced and abstract concept than most of us give it credit for.

**There is such a thing as wisdom as an [abstract concept] (https://simplicable.com/new/abstract-concept). I don't think it's an extractable or essential thing.** - One potential definition of wisdom is ["the ability to contemplate and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight."] (https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/basicproblems002/2015/01/21/the-inextricable-connection-between-knowledge-and-experience/) Wisdom can be observed to be manifest in many ways, though. - Generally, wisdom is thought to be separate from knowledge/being knowledgeable. I think wisdom is more of a habituated way of thinking about things. If knowledge = the retainment of things/information/experiences, then wisdom is the accumulated result of all this knowledge. - Overall - wisdom as an essential quality might not exist, but what we label as wisdom can be observable to us. It's an abstract concept that can shift and vary in its application - so it's something that's very hard to measure or compare.