appeal to wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appeal to wisdom" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of seeking or invoking wisdom in decision-making or arguments. Example: "In his speech, he made an appeal to wisdom, urging the audience to consider the long-term consequences of their choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But I think he would be even more shocked to find his appeal to wisdom and human "growth" being met with apathy and cynicism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus the appeal to practical wisdom cannot be left at that the pluralist owes more explanation of what is involved in practical wisdom.

SEP

Even today we hear politicians use Paine's notion of "common sense" to try and appeal to popular wisdom.

Independent

In the hands of Nobel-prize-winning Paul Krugman, this thinly veiled appeal to the wisdom of the incumbency verges on outright ridicule directed at those who dare to question it.

The Guardian

As a solution to the comparison problem, the appeal to practical wisdom looks rather like way of shifting the problem to another level.

SEP

We appeal to the wisdom of the Indian and Pakistani peoples and their leaders to do what they rightly urged us to do during our dangerous, nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union: come to the table.

Huffington Post

LibDems suddenly – and uncharacteristically for them – appealed to US wisdom.

The Guardian - Opinion

Zalman Teitelbaum, one of the two Grand Rebbes of Satmar, the highest authorities among the Satmar Hasidim, wrote, "In the name of Almighty God and for the sake of compassionate justice, I appeal to your God-given wisdom to treat Mr. Lebovits with the utmost understanding".

The New Yorker

Her sage words of wisdom will appeal to college students and help guide them in their college careers.

Stanford University

The medieval moralists sought a more secure foundation for determining ethical action than Aristotle's appeal to the man of practical wisdom (phronimos).

SEP

Now is the time to lobby for love and stand in solidarity with those who defy deceit, implore wisdom, petition peace and appeal to the higher virtues of humankind.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appeal to wisdom" when you want to emphasize the importance of making decisions based on knowledge, experience, and sound judgment rather than emotions or impulses.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "appeal to wisdom" without providing concrete examples or reasoning. Support your appeal with specific arguments or evidence to make it more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeal to wisdom" functions as a noun phrase that typically refers to the act of seeking guidance or justification based on knowledge, experience, and sound judgment. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appeal to wisdom" is grammatically sound and denotes the act of seeking guidance rooted in knowledge and experience. While its frequency is rare, Ludwig confirms its correctness. It finds application across news, academic, and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, ensure your arguments are substantiated with tangible examples and logical reasoning to enhance persuasiveness. Alternatives such as "invoke wisdom" or "seek wise counsel" can offer nuanced expressions within similar contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invoke wisdom

This alternative replaces "appeal to" with "invoke", suggesting a more direct calling upon wisdom.

seek wise counsel

This alternative emphasizes seeking advice or guidance from someone wise.

call upon wisdom

Similar to "invoke wisdom", this highlights the act of summoning or requesting wisdom.

request sagacity

This alternative uses the more formal term "sagacity" for wisdom.

look to insightful guidance

This phrase emphasizes the search for guidance that is insightful and wise.

solicit sound judgment

This alternative focuses on seeking a balanced and well-reasoned decision.

turn to understanding

This alternative shifts the focus to seeking understanding as a form of wisdom.

defer to wise discretion

This phrase suggests entrusting a decision to someone with good judgment and wisdom.

ask for prudent advice

This alternative highlights the desire for advice that is practical and careful.

seek enlightenment

This suggests seeking a deeper level of understanding and knowledge.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "appeal to wisdom" in an argument?

To effectively use an "appeal to wisdom", cite historical precedents, expert opinions, or well-established principles. This strengthens your argument by grounding it in proven knowledge.

What's the difference between an "appeal to wisdom" and an "appeal to authority"?

An "appeal to wisdom" involves invoking general knowledge and understanding, whereas an "appeal to authority" relies on the endorsement of a specific, recognized expert. The former seeks broad agreement based on reason; the latter, acceptance based on credentials.

When is it inappropriate to use "appeal to wisdom"?

It's inappropriate to use an "appeal to wisdom" when the issue at hand requires specialized knowledge outside the realm of general wisdom, or when there is a lack of consensus on what constitutes "wisdom" in that particular context.

What are some alternatives to "appeal to wisdom" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "seek wise counsel", "invoke wisdom", or "call upon wisdom".