Wisdom vs. Populism and Polarization: Learning to Regulate Our Evolved Intuitions

Abstract

Many countries in the so-called Western world seem to be taking an alarming turn toward nationalism, intolerance, political populism, and ideological polarization. In this chapter, I offer some wisdom-psychological perspectives on these recent changes. In short, research on moral judgment and on decision-making suggests that people often make judgments automatically, based on intuitions such as a propensity to favor in-group members or a preference for information that confirms one’s beliefs. Modern media may exacerbate the negative effects of these tendencies. In other words, while we are enjoying a record high in the worldwide availability of information, we may be moving toward a record low in worldwide wisdom. In the chapter, I discuss how wisdom psychology might contribute to counteracting these developments.