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Single Idea 3546
[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / a. Practical reason
]
Full Idea
The best translation of 'phronesis' is probably not 'prudence' (which implies a non-moral motive), or 'practical wisdom' (which makes it sound contemplative), but 'practical intelligence', or just 'intelligence'.
Gist of Idea
'Phronesis' should translate as 'practical intelligence', not as prudence
Source
Julia Annas (The Morality of Happiness [1993], 2.3)
Book Ref
Annas,Julia: 'The Morality of Happiness' [OUP 1995], p.73
The
12 ideas
from Julia Annas
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12036
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Xenophanes began the concern with knowledge
[Annas]
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12037
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Euripides's Medea is a key case of reason versus the passions
[Annas]
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12040
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Virtue is a kind of understanding of moral value
[Annas]
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12046
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Plato was the first philosopher who was concerned to systematize his ideas
[Annas]
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3541
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Ancient ethics uses attractive notions, not imperatives
[Annas]
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3543
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Cyrenaics pursue pleasure, but don't equate it with happiness
[Annas]
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3542
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We should do good when necessary, not maximise it
[Annas]
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3546
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'Phronesis' should translate as 'practical intelligence', not as prudence
[Annas]
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3550
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Principles cover life as a whole, where rules just cover actions
[Annas]
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3547
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Epicureans achieve pleasure through character development
[Annas]
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3551
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Virtue theory tries to explain our duties in terms of our character
[Annas]
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3552
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If excessively good actions are admirable but not required, then duty isn't basic
[Annas]
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