Wisdom is growing out of the bubble that insists we have access to The One True Worldview. If we have an answer, a data point, we acknowledge that it’s just a momentary snapshot of precision, rather than an all-encompassing truth about the universe. When we can accept that all existence is temporary and all lives have innate value, we are freed of the need to feel special or accomplished. We understand that we’re just a drop in the ocean.

Growing mature follows a pretty standard path: in short, we develop a more realistic view of where we are in the grand scheme of things.

When we’re babies, everything is black and white; we’re the center of the world

Over time, we acknowledge other people, with their own perspectives...