calling wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "calling wisdom" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a context where someone is invoking or appealing to wisdom, but it is not a common expression. Example: "In times of uncertainty, we find ourselves calling wisdom to guide our decisions."

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Calling virtue beautiful feels misplaced in modern terms, or even perverse; calling wisdom beautiful, as the Symposium does (204b), will sound like an outright mistake (Kosman 2010, 348 350).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The word "her" does not refer to the heavenly homeland, but to a lady called Wisdom.

The Economist

It comes close to measuring what we might otherwise call wisdom.

The New Yorker

In other scriptural passages, the lady called Wisdom is described as the mother or the bride of the Creator God.

The Economist

Based on graph younger people more intelligent, but older people have much more experience, what you call wisdom.

University of California, Berkeley

Responses, on the other hand, engender what Ricoeur calls "wisdom," an unwavering commitment to relieve and prevent suffering.

The New York Times

All our days are so unprofitable while they pass, that 'tis wonderful where or when we ever got anything of this which we call wisdom, poetry, virtue.

The New York Times

It's much of what we and our ancestors call wisdom, and it tends to develop through experience rather than only logic.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Included in his large following of fans, both in Britain and the US, was Charlie Chaplin, who called Wisdom his "favourite clown".

The Guardian - Film

Philosophers ranging from Vico to Michael Oakeshott to Isaiah Berlin were writing about thin-slicing (which they called "wisdom") long before the scientists started picking apart our neurons, and long before psychologists started showing people snippets of videotape.

The New York Times - Books

But in tests to do with making connections, assessing the quality of competing arguments and emotional intelligence – the ingredients of what we commonly call wisdom – people go on improving for a long time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "calling wisdom", ensure the context clearly indicates an active appeal to or invocation of wisdom rather than simply referring to wisdom in general. Consider alternatives like "seeking wisdom" or "drawing on wisdom" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "calling wisdom" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or conventional phrasing might be preferred. Instead, opt for alternatives like "invoking wisdom" or "appealing to wise judgment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling wisdom" functions as a verbal phrase where "calling" acts as a gerund or present participle modifying the noun "wisdom". It implies an action of seeking or invoking wisdom, as suggested by Ludwig's assessment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "calling wisdom" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon expression used to describe the act of seeking or invoking wisdom. As Ludwig AI highlights, it might sound misplaced in modern terms. While its usage spans across news, academia, and general knowledge, alternative phrases like "seeking wisdom" or "invoking wisdom" might offer greater clarity and formality. When using "calling wisdom", ensure the context clearly conveys the active appeal to or utilization of wisdom, while being mindful of potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invoking wisdom

Focuses on a formal appeal or summoning of wisdom.

seeking wisdom

Emphasizes the act of actively searching for wisdom.

appealing to wisdom

Highlights the act of requesting guidance from wisdom.

drawing on wisdom

Focuses on utilizing existing wisdom for a specific purpose.

tapping into wisdom

Suggests accessing a deeper source of wisdom.

soliciting wisdom

Implies a formal request for wise counsel.

enlisting wisdom

Focuses on recruiting wisdom to aid in a task.

consulting wisdom

Emphasizes seeking advice from a wise source.

invoking wise counsel

Expands on "wisdom" by specifying 'counsel', which is the advice given.

seeking sagacity

Replaces "wisdom" with "sagacity", a more formal synonym.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "calling wisdom" for clarity?

Consider alternatives like "seeking wisdom", "appealing to wisdom", or "drawing on wisdom" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "calling wisdom" imply in a sentence?

It suggests an active appeal to or invocation of wisdom, often in a situation requiring guidance or sound judgment. It's less common than alternatives like "seeking advice".

Is "calling wisdom" a formal or informal expression?

While not strictly informal, "calling wisdom" is less common in formal writing. More conventional options like "invoking wisdom" or "appealing to reason" may be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "calling wisdom"?

Use "calling wisdom" when you want to emphasize the act of actively seeking guidance or inspiration from a source of wisdom, whether it's personal experience, tradition, or a higher power. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretation.