Yes, and aren't Elrond and Galadriel better judges than Fingolfin and Feanor? Isn't wisdom about making good (wise) choices through life? Good judgement is wisdom, isn't it? Wise as Solomon, why as wise as the king? Because he was reputed to make very just decisions and judgements...

: Living a long time could also be a drawback. Once you get set in your beliefs, and way of thinking, it's hard to change them.
: The lack of change, in one's surrondings and being able to change you view of life, may be key.

Yes, that's true, but we're talking about thousands of years worth of change here. It's hard to be set in your beliefs, unless there is no change. If there is as much change as in Arda, then it would be easier to adapt with it. If you're living around limited people and creatures, and you take it for granted that you're the king of the greatest race ever, then it's easy to let pride cloud judgement.

: Little did change in Aman. Likewise, it appears little changed in Dorith also. It also seems that elves, in general, had a problem in dealing with, or accepting, changes in the status quo. If you compare Elrond and Galadriel, I think we see two different approaches to change. Elrond appears to have accepted the changes far earlier than Galadriel and was living among the changes as they occured. Galadriel, although she knew there were changes and more were on the way, was still trying to maintain the status quo in Lorien.

Yes, and this seems to be the problem, rather than Elrond being wise by default. Do you know what I mean? Erm, Elrond wasn't born wise. The fact that he lived through the Second and Third age in Arda, amid all the ruin ans sorrow made his judgements wiser. The First Age elves didn't have this advantage, so they seem to make rash or stupid decisions.

Gandalf

: ~Aelmer