Phronesis and complexity

Abstract

This essay explores two aspects of the Greek concept of «phronesis». On the one hand, it is closely tied to the Aristotelian concept of «virtue» - and is in effect a kind of «meta-virtue». On the other hand, the concept arises in theories of practice, and of practical reasoning more generally. I argue that these two aspects are closely related, and can be understood as two versions of the same thing. This relationship becomes especially clear when we explore the question of how phronesis is learned. Finally, our understanding of phronesis is deepened when we consider how it is enacted in contexts of complexity.