Forgive me for having skipped what I think is the most obvious characteristic of wisdom – namely that it is a knowledge of causes.

Therefore we now have three characteristics of wisdom- to wit:

1. It is a knowledge about causes
2. It is speculative
3. It is liberal

The fact that it is about causes is clear to anyone who has had the experience of speaking with a wise person. Whenever, for example, I chance upon someone who is wise in a certain  subject I find myself asking questions like “Why is the sky blue?” or “what is the secret of happiness?” or “How can I make  more money?”

And anyone who has questions that begins with “why,” “what,” or “how,” knows that very often the only satisfactory answers must ultimately entail some sort of cause.

The wise person will, in fact, sometimes even begin a reply with the word “beCAUSE” which I think provides us with sufficient evidence for the truth of what I am asserting here- namely that wisdom has to to do with knowledge of causes.