Name a philosopher for each letter of the alphabet – mini-whiteboards A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z –

Aristotle and Phronesis To revisit Aristotle’s virtue ethics and explore phronesis To establish why and how the concept of phronesis is considered a strength and to question this

Aristotle and Phronesis Task 1 - Task – I am going to give a speedy powerpoint presentation – on the mini-whiteboards you must draw symbols or images along the way to try and remember what was said 2 – Now try and write a summary based on what you remember from the information given using the prompt words on the IWB to help. 3 – Recap and re-run through as a class, ordering and ticking off each prompt word. Ext – Is phronesis really a strength of Aristotle’s ethics?

Aristotle and Phronesis Some key virtues for Aristotle stem from Plato’s tripartheid… Emotions, Wisdom and Temperance. Emotions are seen in courage, temperance in modesty and wisdom is known as phronesis. Phronesis is central to Aristotle’s virtue ethics and is a reason for the later Humean movement rejecting Aristotle for being too reliant on intellectual rigour.

Aristotle and Phronesis Phronesis has a practical element of acquiring understanding a posteriori. “We become just by doing just acts.” This is known as habituation. Of phronesis, Aristotle explains: “It is easy to become angry, anyone can do that; but to be angry with the right person, to the right extent, at the right time, with the right aim, that is not easy.” Note – similar to Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path?

Aristotle and Phronesis Aristotle does not reject or shut off emotions as Kant does or insist that we are a slave to them as Hume asserts. Phronesis is the executive that directs us towards the golden mean, but emotions and inclinations are not left out in the cold. Akrasia or weakness of will is seen as a major issue by Aristotle as emotions may overcome our ability to make moral decisions.

Aristotle and Phronesis For Aristotle, phronesis is the answer to the problem of akrasia. Phronesis is holistic in that we are guided to the golden mean by reason but the virtues incorporate emotions and inclinations. In this way, Aristotle believes that the wisdom or phronesis in his theory helps overcome the paradox in ethics

And Finally… Create an Aristotle ethics ‘Come dine with me menu’ – theme virtue ethics Eg Starter – A mini-fillet or seared… Main – Slow cook… Plenary – A trio of…