Abstract

This paper describes the “Pearls of Wisdom” assignment, a multicultural exercise geared at showing that practical wisdom (knowledge of how to lead your life well) comes from many places and at promoting critical thinking and cooperative learning skills. The exercise involves locating a piece of text that expresses practical wisdom, explaining the passage, illustrating it with a detailed example, and attempting to think of a deep objection to it. In addition to providing a copy of the assignment, this essay describes how the author has used it in the classroom, discusses its benefits, and considers possible shortcomings.