Podcast #106 - On Pope Francis

In this episode, Ron, Dave and Gregg share their perspectives on the life, ministry, and papistry of Pope Francis. All three of us, looking through the lens of our wisdom model, describe a unique world leader. Also important are our own stories. And how Francis' life illuminates our own evolving values.

Additional References

Core Wisdom Formula: Experience + Knowledge + Maturity = Wisdom (+)

The formula highlights the interdependence of three key components in developing wisdom:

1. Experience: Encompasses personal interactions, emotions, and perceptions, forming the subjective lens through which the world is understood.
2. Knowledge: Refers to acquired information or awareness, gained through education or experience.
3. Maturity: Demonstrated in one’s ability to respond thoughtfully and deliberately to life’s challenges, beyond mere age.

Wisdom results when these elements merge, and Wisdom+ represents the ability to apply them, leading to wise action with tangible benefits.

Four Wisdom Support Constructs

1. Wisdom Practice Model: Stories, Ologies, Beliefs, Wisdom+
  - Stories: Interpretations of experiences.
  - Ologies Fields of study (e.g., biology, psychology) that influence belief systems.
  - Beliefs: Shaped by stories and ologies, forming personal behaviors.
  - Wisdom+: Integration of experience, knowledge, and maturity into practical wisdom.

2. Wisdom to the 3rd Power: Noun, Verb, and Creative Subconscious
  - Noun: Represents wisdom as a philosophy, virtue, or practice.
  - Verb: Wisdom in action, application, or response.
  - Creative Subconscious: The incubator for pondering and creatively engaging wisdom.

3. Four Maturity Capabilities: Maturity is developed through four capabilities:
  - Objective self-analysis: Extending time between stimulus and response to evaluate beliefs and emotions.
  - Understanding & integrating multiple perspectives: Acknowledging ambiguity and others’ worldviews.
  - Empathetic reasoning: Considering others’ welfare while maintaining personal balance.
  - Thinking and acting autonomously and authentically : Aligning behavior with values, acting autonomously and with integrity.

4. SCARF Model (Dr. David Rock): This model identifies five social domains—status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness, and fairness—that influence human behavior by triggering reward or threat responses. These social elements explain much of modern society’s polarization, lack of civility, and increasing tribalism. People often seek to avoid threats and approach rewards, creating division when these domains are challenged.

This wisdom framework seeks to answer critical questions about contemporary social dynamics, such as the rise of populism, polarization, and the erosion of pluralism. By understanding the foundational elements of wisdom and the forces that shape human reactions (e.g., the SCARF model), individuals can foster more nuanced and thoughtful responses to life’s challenges. The maturity capabilities offer a path to wise action, rooted in empathy, perspective-taking, and authenticity.

This approach also suggests that the more developed these constructs are within individuals, the better equipped they are to navigate complex social and personal situations, leading to more harmonious and inclusive societies.