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Concept · Ancient Greek philosophy (Aristotelian ethics) · 4th century BCE
Phronesis: practical wisdomφρόνησις
Also known as Practical wisdom · Phronesis · Practical judgement · Knowing what this situation asks for
Needs editorial reviewIntermediatePhilosophical interpretationPractical wisdom
A reading, framework or argument, attributed to whoever holds it.
Aristotle's name for the judgement that decides what to do here and now. It is not a rule, a technique or a body of facts: it is the capacity to see what a particular situation calls for, and he held that it comes with experience rather than from principles alone.
Entries in this library keep the tradition label and the editorial state the source gave them. A record marked as awaiting scholarly review is offered as a lead to study, not as settled teaching.