Practical wisdom or prudence in Aristotelian ethics — the ability to deliberate well about human affairs and choose the right action in particular circumstances. It bridges universal moral principles and specific situations.
From Greek 'phronesis' (practical wisdom/prudence), related to 'phren' (mind). Aristotle distinguished this from 'sophia' (theoretical wisdom) in his Nicomachean Ethics, making it central to his account of virtue and moral decision-making.
This is the moral skill that lets you know when honesty requires brutal truth-telling and when it calls for gentle tact — it's like having a moral GPS that helps you navigate the messy complexity of real-life ethical decisions! Aristotle thought this practical wisdom was more important for living well than abstract moral knowledge.
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