Phronesis
Phronesis is a Greek term that translates to practical wisdom, encompassing the ideas of prudence and common sense. Rooted in Ancient Greek philosophy, it is viewed as an intellectual virtue that not only involves knowing the right course of action but also understanding why it is the right choice. This concept was notably developed by Aristotle, who categorized virtues into intellectual and ethical types, placing phronesis as a key element of practical reasoning. He argued that phronesis is acquired through lived experiences and is essential for making sound moral decisions. Aristotle believed that individuals must first develop good habits in childhood and later learn to apply practical wisdom as they mature. The influence of phronesis extends into modern discussions, particularly in business and research, where ethical decision-making is paramount. In this context, phronesis encourages consideration of the processes and implications involved in decision-making, emphasizing the importance of both the means and the outcomes. Overall, phronesis serves as a foundation for good judgment and character, fostering moral and ethical behavior in various aspects of life.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Phronesis
Phronesis is a Greek term that is translated as practical wisdom but can also mean prudence or common sense. In the Greek philosophical tradition, phronesis is more than just knowing which course of action is the proper, moral choice. It is the intellectual virtue of knowing how to take the proper course of action and why it is the right thing to do. Phronesis is a form of learned and stored knowledge that provides the foundation for good judgment in making decisions.
Overview
The concept of phronesis was developed by the philosophers of Ancient Greece and debated and discussed in their works. Many philosophers believed that phronesis was the main pillar that supported all other virtues. To them, choosing the proper moral path was not enough to make someone a good person unless that person knew why he or she was choosing that path and what steps to take along the path. In other words, just meaning well was not enough to live a good life unless a person had the practical knowledge to know which decision to take and why those decisions were the right ones.
The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who lived in the fourth century BCE, divided virtues into two categories: intellectual virtues, or virtues of the mind; and ethical virtues, or virtues of character. In turn, he developed two types of intellectual virtues. Sophia, or theoretical reasoning, is a virtue that arises from combining knowledge and logic. Aristotle’s other intellectual virtue was phronesis, which he equated to practical reasoning or wisdom.
To Aristotle, phronesis could only be acquired through lived experience. He believed that all people were born with the capacity to achieve wisdom and live a moral life, but first, they had to pass through two stages. As children, people must be taught how to live a proper life by learning good habits. Then, when they reach the age that they can reason, they must learn practical wisdom to put those good habits into action. Aristotle also considered phronesis to be the most important virtue upon which a person could establish a foundation for a good life. Some later philosophers took his views a bit farther and considered phronesis to be the original source of all human knowledge. Aristotelian ethics had a profound influence on later generations of philosophers, and remain relevant today.
This foundation provides a storehouse of knowledge that a person can draw upon to assess a given situation, determine the possible responses, and know which ones are the right course of action. Phronesis involves more than just a good end result, but also requires the proper means needed to get there.
In the modern world, the concept of phronesis is often used in business and research fields to make sure decisions align with ethical principles. They can take the shape of questions asked during the planning process to establish who or what a project benefits or hurts, the implications of the steps needed to achieve the goal, and whether the end result is a desirable outcome. In a phronetic approach to problem solving, the effect of both the process and end result on the various people and elements involved is always considered.
Bibliography
Darnell, Catherine, Liz Gulliford, Kristján Kristjánsson, and Panos Paris. “Phronesis and the Knowledge-Action Gap in Moral Psychology and Moral Education: A New Synthesis?” Human Development, vol. 62, no. 3, June 2019, pp. 101–129, doi.org/10.1159/000496136. Accessed 16 July 2021.
Flyvbjerg, Bent. “What is Phronesis and Phronetic Social Science?” LinkedIn, 24 May 2016, www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-phronesis-phronetic-social-science-bent-flyvbjerg-%E5%82%85%E4%BB%A5%E6%96%8C-/. Accessed 16 July 2021.
Flyvbjerg, Bent, Todd Landman, and Sanford Schram, eds. Real Social Science: Applied Phronesis. Cambridge UP, 2012.
Kraut, Richard. “Aristotle’s Ethics.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 15 June 2018, plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/. Accessed 16 July 2021.
Lapsley, Daniel. “Phronesis, Virtues and the Developmental Science of Character.” Human Development, vol. 62, no. 3, June 2019, pp. 130–141, doi.org/10.1159/000496758. Accessed 16 July 2021.
Nordquist, Richard. “What Is Phronesis?” ThoughtCo., 27 Mar. 2019, www.thoughtco.com/phronesis-rhetoric-1691510. Accessed 16 July 2021.
“Phronesis: Definition and Meaning.” Oxford Review, 2021, www.oxford-review.com/oxford-review-encyclopaedia-terms/phronesis-definition-meaning/. Accessed 16 July 2021.
Shapcott, Richard. “Phronesis, Ethics and Realism.” E-International Relations, 7 Feb. 2013, www.e-ir.info/2013/02/07/phronesis-ethics-and-realism/. Accessed 16 July 2021.