phronsis

Phronesis, or phronesis, is a term from ancient Greek philosophy commonly translated as practical wisdom or prudent judgment. In Aristotle’s ethic tradition, it refers to the kind of rational capacity that enables a person to deliberate well about what should be done to achieve a good life for human beings and to act on that deliberation.

Phronesis differs from theoretical knowledge (episteme) and craft knowledge (techne). It is not merely cleverness or the ability to apply rules; it is context-sensitive judgment about ends and means in concrete situations. A person with phronesis—often described as a phronimos—can discern the appropriate moral course of action within complex circumstances, balancing competing considerations while aiming at what is good for oneself and others. Importantly, phronesis presupposes a virtuous character and is exercised through practiced, responsible deliberation.

Development of phronesis involves habituation, experience, and moral education. It grows as individuals internalize norms, reflect on familiar situations, and learn to align their actions with a conception of human flourishing (eudaimonia). Because it draws on character as well as rational assessment, phronesis is evaluated by the quality of real-world judgments and outcomes rather than by abstract theorizing alone.

In contemporary virtue ethics, phronesis remains central to discussions of moral decision-making, professional ethics, and political life. It has been influential in the works of thinkers such as Alasdair MacIntyre and Martha Nussbaum, who treat practical wisdom as essential for navigating the demands and uncertainties of everyday life.