What does the idea of communal wisdom mean to you?

Question

My friend and I have been throwing the idea of communal wisdom around for a couple weeks now. We both have different views on what it means, but agree that it involves "community+conversation". Please chime in with your thoughts, because what's more communal than that? Thanks for taking the time.

Answer 1

This is a great notion, probably something our culture is missing on a personal level.  On a broad spectrum, I think you have to include basic history, which is big picture communal wisdom.  More narrowly, I think it involves the idea in an individual's mind of operating within the community.  That's the basic principle.  If one has the mindset that challenges and joys are something to be shared, then conversation, behavior, and individual dreams are planted on a foundation of collective understanding.  Probably we miss this with a focus on individual rights.  If communal wisdom were more understood and respected, I think we'd see less isolation, loneliness and flare-ups of misunderstood violence, like the latest Va Tech shooting.