This phrase resonates with me. It rings like some kind of political slogan that captures a new mood emerging in the world. It feels like a welcome antidote to the narrow-minded pursuit of material wealth at all costs. It is a kind of clarion call for an age of wisdom at a time when the way we live seems to have gone awry and the financial system has shown its weaknesses.
The phrase was minted by Dr Tim Anstiss who gave a lecture I attended on January 18 at an independently organised TED event at the University of Kent in Canterbury. This was one of the main conclusions of his talk entitled Wisdom: Ancient and Modern. His conclusion was partly based on research showing that having money does not equate with happiness. We are looking for something else in life.
More than money
Nowadays, instead of just measuring a nation’s wealth in terms of the Gross National Product, new indicators of ecological efficiency and wellbeing are emerging such as the Happy Planet Index.
“There is a big disconnect between economic growth and human and planetary wellbeing,” comments Dr Tim Anstiss, who is a trained physician with an interest in both physical and mental health.
He runs a firm of consultants called Applied Wellbeing and is currently working with both public and private sector organisations like NHS Trusts and British Gas to create a happier workplace. He has been running courses for 15 years to help people achieve and enjoy higher levels of health, wellbeing and happiness. His approach is based partly on studying ancient philosophy and he is particularly drawn to the Stoic school of philosophy of ancient Greece.
Wisdom for £100
He held up a bag of books at the lecture and pointed out, “For £100, you can buy a selection of the greatest works of ancient wisdom. This is high-quality wisdom readily available to us.”
His bag of ancient treats and treatises makes a welcome change from the usual recommended reading list of business books for executives.
He also suggested ways we could cultivate wisdom. Being satisfied with simple pleasures is one. Having a concern for justice is another. Developing these sides of ourselves will contribute to the creation of happiness.
It seems that wise people are usually happier and healthier. They are more willing to cooperate and they share their wisdom with others who come to them for advice. Wise people also care more for the common good. They are more concerned about a sustainable future. So wisdom brings all-round benefits for the individual and the community.
“Wisdom development must be a global priority,” Dr Tim Anstiss believes.
An inheritance worth having
In the final analysis, there is not necessarily a contradiction between pursuing wisdom and pursuing wealth. In a broad sense, wisdom is wealth. Perhaps it is the true wealth of the world. Just ask yourself what kind of inheritance you would most like to leave to your children? Of course, it would be natural to want to leave them the financial assets you have built up over the years. But perhaps the greatest inheritance is what your children can’t put their hands on: the wisdom you pass on to them.
By Peter Goddard