The Curious Case of Missing Wisdom: Why Female Sages Are Hard to Find

As a psychologist working with leaders, I have a love for the word wisdom and all that it conjures up. To me it's about continually evolving, growing and sharing unbiased knowledge and insight for the benefit of others.Throughout history, wisdom has been revered as a precious commodity, sought after by kings and commoners alike. Aristotle said “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Where as Socrates framed wisdom as how we see the world “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” and more recently Jimi Hendrix said quite simply "Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens."

It’s undeniably a topic well covered and well discussed. Yet, as I have delved deeper into wisdom as a concept, an intriguing pattern has emerged - the scarcity of female sages in our collective narrative. This peculiar absence begs the question: where have all the wise women gone?

The Case of Magical Monikers

 

What I found first, beyond a lack of examples was an interesting use of language. When I did manage to unearth references to wise women in history, they often came packaged with colourful, mystical labels.

"Witch" and "crone" emerge as the default descriptors, as if female wisdom requires a supernatural twist. This linguistic quirk reveals a fascinating cultural bias. "Witch" conjures images of powerful women possessing arcane knowledge, simultaneously feared and revered. Figures more likely to face persecution and silencing than celebration for their 'wisdom'. "Crone," meanwhile, evokes an aged woman who whole brimming with life experience, is hardly an aspirational figure for most.

Why this need for mystical monikers? It's as if the concept of female wisdom without a magical element eludes our collective imagination. This peculiar naming convention offers a window into society's complex relationship with knowledge and gender. And the absence of neutral terms for wise women, comparable to "sage" or "philosopher" for men, further distorts our perception of female wisdom.

This linguistic pattern is a reminder of the subtle ways in which language can perpetuate and reinforce cultural prejudices, even in areas as fundamental as human knowledge and insight.

Wisdom's Exclusive Club

History has long been a gentleman's club, its dress code tailored for trousers and ties. Women's intellectual contributions have been shoved into the margins, their brilliance dimmed by the spotlight on male achievement. This systematic erasure has also warped our perception, painting wisdom with a predominantly masculine brush.

The consequences of this bias are far-reaching and profound. Generations have grown up idolizing male philosophers, scientists, and leaders, while equally brilliant women remain hidden in the shadows. This skewed narrative has not only robbed women of their rightful place in history but has also deprived society of a richer, more diverse understanding of human potential.

Raising awareness of women's wisdom isn't just about fairness—it's about unlocking a treasure trove of insights, innovations, and perspectives that have been locked away for centuries. By amplifying these long-silenced voices, we stand to gain a more complete, nuanced, and powerful understanding of human achievement. The future of wisdom really must be inclusive, drawing from all minds, regardless of gender, to illuminate the path forward.

In Search of Female Sages

So it seems that the collective wisdom pool has been disproportionately dominated by male perspectives, creating a myopic view of human insight. But this gender imbalance isn't merely an academic curiosity—it's a stark reflection of deep-rooted societal biases that have long marginalized women's contributions. By overwhelmingly favouring male examples and viewpoints, we've effectively silenced half of humanity's potential wisdom.

This skewed representation has profound implications. It's akin to trying to understand the world while deliberately ignoring half of the available information. The exclusion of women's experiences, insights, and unique problem-solving approaches has undoubtedly stunted our collective growth and understanding.

Expanding our perspective to include diverse voices isn't just about fairness—it's about enriching our collective knowledge. Women's experiences often differ significantly from men's, shaped by distinct societal pressures, expectations, and challenges. These differences can yield novel solutions and insights that might never emerge from a male-centric worldview.

It's crucial to recognize that wisdom transcends gender. By actively seeking out and valuing women's contributions, we stand to gain a more comprehensive, nuanced understanding of the human experience. This shift towards inclusivity isn't just beneficial—it's essential for developing a truly representative and effective pool of collective wisdom. 

Should This Matter to You Personally?

Does this even impact you? Well yes it probably does. Media for example often emphasizes certain traits and demographics, such as portraying men as wiser, which can reinforce gender stereotypes and affect self-esteem and identity. This skewed representation can lead to biased views on who is capable of wisdom, impacting personal aspirations and societal roles.

Charting a Course for Change

So, how do we chart a course for a more equitable stance on wisdom? It's not an easy task but a small step could be to simply begin to amplify the voices in our own worlds.

1. Treasure Hunt for Wisdom: I’d love for you to join me on my quest to uncover and celebrate the contributions of wise women throughout history and in contemporary society. Women who spring to mind for me are Maya Angelou, Jane Goodall, or Mother Teresa, but there are so many more. Who are they and why are they wise?

2. Rewriting the Narrative: We need to update our stories, ensuring that wise women feature prominently in our media, literature, and cultural narratives. How can we do this? The movie "Hidden Figures" telling the compelling story of three African-American women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who played pivotal roles at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program offers one real life story. But there are so many more untold stories out there. Do you have any examples?

3. A Linguistic Makeover: Refining our language to be more inclusive, ensuring that wisdom isn't inadvertently gendered in our everyday speech is another small but significant step we can take. For example, instead of chairman, we say chairperson or chair; replace mankind with humankind. What other words need changing?

Wisdom for All

This exploration of wisdom and gender reveals a critical truth: our understanding of insight and knowledge has been unnecessarily constrained. By dismantling gender-based assumptions about wisdom, we uncover a vast, untapped reservoir of perspectives and experiences. The way forward is clear, yet not a quick fix. We need to actively seek out and amplify diverse voices, recognizing that wisdom often emerges from unexpected sources.

This isn't just about equality—it's about enriching our collective intelligence and problem-solving capacity. As we rewrite the narrative of wisdom, we're not just changing words on a page; we're reshaping the lens through which we view the world and make decisions that affect us all. Wisdom has the power to becomes a dynamic, inclusive force—one that can play a part in addressing complex global challenges and fostering a more inclusive, innovative society.

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Image - Dziana Hasanbekava