What does 'the wisdom of this world' include?

Les explains that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, as stated in verse 19. He defines it as encompassing all the great philosophy, all the great literature, and all the great works of art. This worldly wisdom stands opposed to God's wisdom. In the preceding verses, Les points out that if any man seems wise in this world, he must become a fool to become truly wise. The unsaved person becomes a fool by accepting the preaching of the cross—that Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead—which is foolishness to those perishing but the power of God to those saved. The unbeliever must recognize he needs to go into what he thinks is foolishness, and out of that foolishness he can get the wisdom of God. Les says Paul keeps driving at this, using the term wisdom throughout these early chapters of Corinthians.