Aristotle’s general conception of prudence

Sample Solution

   

Aristotle's general conception of prudence, as he describes it in Book VI, Chapters 1-7 of Nicomachean Ethics, is as follows:

Prudence is the virtue that enables us to reason correctly about what is good and bad for ourselves in relation to our goals. It is the virtue that helps us to make wise choices and to act in accordance with those choices.

Full Answer Section

    Prudence is closely related to deliberation and goal-directed action. Deliberation is the process of thinking through our options and choosing the best course of action. Goal-directed action is the process of acting in accordance with our chosen course of action. Prudence is essential for both deliberation and goal-directed action. Without prudence, we would not be able to reason correctly about our options or to choose the best course of action. We would also not be able to act in accordance with our chosen course of action. The end to which prudence aims is the good life. The good life is a life that is lived in accordance with virtue. Prudence helps us to choose the actions that will lead us to the good life. Aristotle contrasts prudence with wisdom in the following way: Wisdom is the highest virtue, and it is concerned with the highest goods. Prudence is a subordinate virtue, and it is concerned with the goods that are necessary for living a good life. Wisdom is the virtue that enables us to understand the nature of the good life and to live in accordance with that understanding. Prudence is the virtue that enables us to reason correctly about what is good and bad for ourselves in relation to our goals. In other words, wisdom is about knowing what the good life is, and prudence is about knowing how to achieve it. Here is an example of how prudence and wisdom might work together: A wise person might know that the good life is a life that is lived in accordance with virtue. A prudent person would then use their knowledge of virtue to make wise choices and to act in accordance with those choices. For example, a prudent person might choose to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly because they know that these activities are good for their health. They might also choose to spend time with their loved ones and to help others because they know that these activities are good for their soul. In conclusion, Aristotle's general conception of prudence is that it is the virtue that enables us to reason correctly about what is good and bad for ourselves in relation to our goals. It is closely related to deliberation and goal-directed action. The end to which prudence aims is the good life. Aristotle contrasts prudence with wisdom in the following way: wisdom is the highest virtue, and it is concerned with the highest goods. Prudence is a subordinate virtue, and it is concerned with the goods that are necessary for living a good life.