Summary: The brain is made up of billions of neurons forming trillions of connections which give rise to high-order cognitive functions that allow us to think, plan, create, communicate, and make decisions. Throughout our lives, our brain rewires itself as it makes new connections and removes unused connections. This neural network provides the biological scaffold for abstract traits such as intelligence and wisdom. Albeit being difficult to define, concepts of wisdom are remarkably similar across temporal and spatial dimensions suggesting a potential biological advantage to wisdom. If so, why is it rare?

This project seeks to model how humans become wise by exploring the relationship between our life experiences and the choices we make. I will investigate whether wisdom is a byproduct of particular embodied experiences rather than learned knowledge, and whether it mirrors intelligence.

Beyond the individual, I will explore the societal implications of this wiring: does wisdom ultimately lead to the societal good?