This paper investigates the relationship between life satisfaction, openness value, self-transcendence and wisdom. It has been established in other research (click here to read) that there is a clear relationship between wisdom and life satisfaction in old-age. One of the key questions addressed is ‘Does life-satisfaction lead to wisdom or does wisdom lead to life-satisfaction?’
Regarding all four of the elements under investigation, the paper identifies a relationship between openness and self-transcendence and between openness and life satisfaction. The research also indicates that both of these qualities as pre-requisites for wisdom. The author therefore suggests that self-transcendence and life satisfaction act as mediators between openness and wisdom.
Ultimately the direction of causation between life-satisfaction and wisdom is not definitively identified. However, the strong correlation between the two suggested in research elsewhere is confirmed by the data presented here.
Abstract
Prior studies suggest a positive association between life satisfaction and wisdom. In a sample with 123 European American community-dwelling adults, the results suggest that wisdom and life satisfaction are positively intertwined, and that openness value is an important factor for life satisfaction, a self-transcendence orientation, and wisdom.
evidence-based wisdom 