Connections

This study exploring the roots of Wisdom Through Adversity is funded by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation. Sir John Templeton wrote extensively on spirituality and the role that scientific research could play in expanding the spiritual horizons of humankind. The mission of the foundation is:

… to serve as a “philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the Big Questions of human purpose and ultimate reality. We support research on subjects ranging from complexity, evolution, and infinity to creativity, forgiveness, love, and free will. We encourage civil, informed dialogue among scientists, philosophers, and theologians and between such experts and the public at large, for the purposes of definitional clarity and new insights.

Our vision is derived from the late Sir John Templeton’s optimism about the possibility of acquiring ‘new spiritual information’ and from his commitment to rigorous scientific research and related scholarship. The Foundation’s motto, ‘How little we know, how eager to learn,’ exemplifies our support for open-minded inquiry and our hope for advancing human progress through breakthrough discoveries.”

Explore further at Big Questions Online – a forum for debate and discussion through columns, blogs and multimedia on the topics of science, religion, markets, morals and the “dynamic intersection among them”.

UNC Charlotte, Posttraumatic Growth Researchers at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, are investigating the processes underlying posttraumatic growth, the positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or traumatic event.

Monica Ardelt
Dr. Ardelt is a researcher in the Department of Sociology at the University of Florida with interests in adult human development; aging and the life course; wisdom, purpose in life, and religiosity/spirituality; aging and dying well; and social psychology.