Name: Using our practical wisdom
Uploaded: 2010-12-31T15:38:00Z
Duration: 23 min 6 s
Description: In an intimate talk, Barry Schwartz dives into the question "How do we do the right thing?" With help from collaborator Kenneth Sharpe, he shares stories that illustrate the difference between following the rules and truly choosing wisely.

In an intimate talk, Barry Schwartz dives into the question "How do we do the right thing?" With help from collaborator Kenneth Sharpe, he shares stories that illustrate the difference between following the rules and truly choosing wisely.

Using our practical wisdom

Society often responds to institutional failures with more rules and incentives, but these can backfire and erode our sense of purpose. One judge who bent the rules to help a struggling father saw her wise decision overturned by rigid sentencing guidelines, leading her to leave the bench. True progress depends on individuals who combine moral character with practical judgment, improvising like craftsmen to serve others. Genuine fulfillment in work and love comes not from following scripts, but from acting with thoughtful, flexible wisdom.