Aristotle - Analysis - ethics Nicomáquea - Prudence

The text analyzed corresponds to 5 chapter VI of the book "E ; tica a Nicaco ", the Greek philosopher Aristotle. This chapter and its previous deal with the various virtues dianoicas or intelectivas that are characteristic of the man.

For Aristotle, a virtue defined as a habit or way of being, which is achieved only with learning and practice, and that good and bring us closer to perfection in our actions and our way of thinking. According to his theory teleological, by which everything tends to an end or goal, the virtues of the man approaching its ultimate goal, happiness.

Aristotle classified the virtues into two types: those related to human reason and intellect, or virtues dianoicas intellectuals, and those relating to the will and action, ethical or moral virtues.

latter concern how to act in the world, to control the disposition of human vices and passions so rational and good, always looking for a middle ground that moves away from the ends, thus avoiding excess and defect .

Moreover, the virtues DIANO ; tics are those who perfected the man in relation to knowledge and truth. Within these virtues, in turn distinguishes several types, each with a related kind of knowledge:

related theoretical knowledge, ie with scientific knowledge and unproductive from reality: science, sabidury intelligence.

-related technical knowledge, dedicated to the study of human productions: the virtue of art, the ability to produce in a rational manner.

linked with the practical knowledge, one designed to guide the behavior acciy: prudence.

is on the latter under DIANO tica, prudence, which basa the fragment analyzed. According to Aristotle, it is prudent to "the man capable of deliberate honestly about what is good and desirable", that is, prudence allows man to decide rationally and correctly on what is best for her to o community. This virtue is the basis of ethical virtues, a man can not acquire virtues ethical without possessing the virtue of prudence.

Aristotle says that prudence can not be exercised over things that can not be otherwise, nor about things that are not can make, that is, one can not be prudent on an object that is studying science or on objects that our art is not capable of performing. He claims, therefore, that "prudence is a way to be truly rational and practical, about what is good and bad for men."

The author also argues that caution should be quality of administrators and politicians. This demonstrates the close relationship between ethics and politics of classical Greece. Theories on policy Aristotelian define human beings as a social being, and must organize states based on moderation, and run by people who stand out in the virtue of prudence.

This is the idea of moderation indicating Arista tels that safeguards and benefits prudence, which allows us to avoid the extremes of action, that is, allows us to keep away from vices. Finally, the philosopher asserts that prudence, unlike other virtues, never forget, a man who is wise will always be able to distinguish the moderaciy the decisin most correct within its range of possibilities.