Ability Quote by Nick Bostrom
““We can think of wisdom as the ability to get the important things approximately right.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Superintelligence, 2014
Wisdom is the capacity to approximate the most important truths sufficiently well for effective decision‑making.
In simple terms: Wisdom means getting key things roughly right.
Key Takeaway
Focus on approximating important truths.
Themes
philosophy
decision‑making
wisdom
Mood
analytical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- strategic planning
- risk assessment
- policy design
- ethical deliberation
- education
Key Concepts
approximation
uncertainty
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What counts as “important” in a given context?
- How do you balance precision and practicality?
A Different Perspective
Approximation can lead to errors.
![“There is more scholarly work on the life-habits of the dung fly than on existential risks [to humanity].” quote by Nick Bostrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d3/nick-bostrom-10771_life_there-is-more-scholarly-work-on-the-life_560392.jpg)
