The Role of Social Sciences in Creating a Wiser Society – Part 1: The Need for a Wiser Society

In this powerful opening to our blog series, Professor Chris Taylor asks what it would mean for universities and social science communities to move beyond generating knowledge, and instead commit to fostering societal wisdom. Drawing on philosopher Nicholas Maxwell’s vision of “wisdom-inquiry,” the blog explores how research can better support collective problem-solving, public engagement, and systems thinking. At the heart of this vision lies the idea of a wiser society – one that critically reflects on the kind of future it wants, and is equipped to build it. With SPARK as the world’s first social science park, Taylor challenges us to reimagine the social sciences not just as disciplines of understanding, but as engines of societal transformation. Read the full piece on our LinkedIn page to discover why wisdom, not just knowledge, is what the world needs now.

This is Part 1 of a 3-part series. Look out for Part 2 coming soon.