Sociologist Monika Ardelt, PhD, has spent her career studying an ideal that’s as universal as it is elusive: wisdom. And like many wisdom researchers, she’s concluded that we don’t necessarily become wiser as we age. Many people even become less wise. It’s a troubling thought, not only because wisdom is associated with resilience and life satisfaction, but also because if we’re not becoming wiser, what exactly are we becoming? Dr. Ardelt explains why wisdom matters and offers thoughts on how to cultivate it, including in moments of adversity.

Monika Ardelt, PhD, is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Florida.

Links:

• Dr. Ardelt’s official bio
• The Office of Well-Being and Resilience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Mount Sinai Center for Stress, Resilience, and Personal Growth

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Road to Resilience brings you stories and insights to help you thrive in a challenging world. From fighting burnout and trauma to building resilient families, we explore what’s possible when science meets the human spirit.