The relation between practical wisdom and virtue

The relation between practical wisdom and virtue Written by: Caryn Tan

Practical wisdom, Aristotle posits, is for the sake of becoming good [1143b: 30-31]. Practical wisdom is thus, an action that leads to the goal of being good [1144a: 8]. Virtue, Aristotle proffers, makes the goal correct [1144a: 8]. Virtue makes the choice right [1144a: 20] for practical wisdom to act towards it. Thus, virtue sets aims and practical wisdom acts to achieve aim. The relation between virtues and practical wisdom is thus a necessary and dialectical one dependent on each other. As Aristotle claims, virtue sets the right choice; the starting point [1144a: 30]. Virtue determines the right end [1145a: 5] or the best end [1144a: 34] and practical wisdom makes us do the things that lead to the end [1145a: 5-6]. Practical wisdom provides for the coming into being of virtues [1145a: 8].

This is important because, Aristotle proffers that virtue is the state of character that implies the presence of correct reason [1144b: 25-26] Virtues involve reason [1144b: 29] and practical wisdom is the correct reason about such matters pertaining to virtue [1144b: 26-27]. One cannot be virtuous or good without practical wisdom [1144b: 31] i.e. actions that lead one to be good. One cannot also act rightly or in a practically wise manner without moral virtue which is the right starting point or goal [1144b: 31-32]. Hence, again, the relation between virtue and practical wisdom is of a very intimate one whereby one requires the other to be realized.