Phronesis, Sophia, and Hochma: Developing Wisdom in Islam and Judaism

Abstract

Few empirical studies have examined phronesis and sophia (Hebrew, hochma) within particular religious and cultural groups. We interviewed 50 Muslims from Pakistan and 76 Jews from Canada about people and historical figures they consider wise. Also, the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale measured phronesis, the Foundational Values Scale measured sophia/hochma and the Life Satisfication Scale measured of quality of life. ANCOVAS found Jewish participants scored higher on phronesis, whereas Muslim participants scored higher on sophia/hochma. Children had less phronesis than adolescents or adults, whereas adults had more sophia/hochma than did children and adolescents. All participants were more likely to nominate men as wise.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by a grant to the first author from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The authors thank the graduate research opportunity and work-study students of the wisdom project for ongoing discussions and work that have contributed to developing the ideas expressed in this article.

Notes

¹According to Islam, the key to entering Heaven is to follow the Five Pillars of Islam: (a) faith, (b) prayer, (c) helping others (Zakat), (d) fasting, and (e) hajj (pilgrimage to Mekkah). These Five Pillars are not all directly related to wisdom: Fasting and Hajj are considered important ways of boosting one's faith and are considered essential to purifying the self or manifesting one's faith to be able to pray and help others more effectively.