The Guiding Hand: Prudence in the Pursuit of Temperance

At the heart of a well-lived life, as understood by the great thinkers of antiquity, lies the interplay of foundational virtues. Among these, Prudence and Temperance stand as indispensable pillars, with prudence serving as the indispensable guide for temperance. This article explores how prudence, often defined as practical wisdom, not only informs but actively directs the cultivation of temperance, moving it beyond mere abstinence into a reasoned and virtuous self-mastery. Without the discerning eye of prudence, temperance risks becoming a blind asceticism or an arbitrary denial, rather than the intelligent moderation that leads to true human flourishing and steers us away from the pitfalls of Virtue and Vice.

Defining Prudence: The Navigator of Virtue

Prudence (phronesis in Greek) is not merely caution or shrewdness; it is, as Aristotle meticulously detailed in his Nicomachean Ethics, the intellectual virtue concerned with practical action. It is the ability to deliberate well about what is good and advantageous for oneself, not in some particular respect, but for living well generally. It is the faculty that helps us discern the right end and the appropriate means to achieve it.

Key Characteristics of Prudence:

  • Practical Wisdom: It applies universal principles to particular situations.
  • Right Reason in Action: It guides moral choice by determining what is good and how to achieve it.
  • Foresight: It considers the consequences of actions.
  • Memory of the Past: It learns from previous experiences.
  • Docility: It is open to learning from others.

Prudence, therefore, is the intellectual virtue that illuminates the path for the moral virtues. It is the compass that points us towards the good and helps us navigate the complex landscape of human desires and actions.

Understanding Temperance: The Art of Self-Mastery

Temperance (sophrosyne in Greek) is the moral virtue that moderates our desires and pleasures, particularly those associated with the bodily appetites – food, drink, and sexual pleasure. Plato, in his Republic, illustrates temperance as the harmony of the soul, where the rational part governs the appetitive and spirited parts, establishing an inner order. Aristotle further refines this, positioning temperance as the mean between the excess of intemperance (licentiousness) and the deficiency of insensibility.

The Domain of Temperance:

  • Bodily Pleasures: Primarily concerned with touch and taste.
  • Moderation: Finding the appropriate amount, time, and manner for gratification.
  • Self-Control: The ability to restrain impulses and desires.
  • Inner Harmony: Establishing a balance within the soul.

Temperance is not about the eradication of desire, but its proper ordering. It recognizes that these natural desires, when unchecked, can lead to vice, but when properly managed, contribute to a healthy and balanced life.

The profound connection between prudence and temperance lies in the fact that temperance, to be a true virtue, cannot be blind. It requires the discerning eye of prudence to know what to moderate, how much to moderate, and why such moderation is beneficial.

Discerning the Mean

Aristotle's concept of the "golden mean" is central to understanding temperance. It is prudence that helps us identify this mean. For instance, in eating, temperance isn't starvation (deficiency) or gluttony (excess); it's eating the right amount for one's health and well-being. Prudence considers individual circumstances – one's health, activity level, available resources – to determine what constitutes the temperate course of action. It prevents temperance from becoming rigid asceticism or slipping into a self-defeating denial.

Beyond Mere Abstinence

Without prudence, temperance can devolve into a mere suppression of desires, which is often unsustainable and can lead to resentment or an unhealthy focus on what is being denied. Prudence elevates temperance by providing a rational framework:

  • It sets the proper goals: Prudence helps us understand why moderation is important for our overall wisdom and flourishing.
  • It identifies appropriate actions: It guides us on how to moderate our desires effectively and sustainably.
  • It ensures flexibility: Prudence allows for adjustments based on changing circumstances, ensuring temperance remains a practical virtue, not a rigid rule.

(Image: A classical fresco depicting a robed philosopher, perhaps Plato or Aristotle, with one hand gesturing towards a group of allegorical figures representing the virtues of moderation and self-control, while the other hand holds a scroll, symbolizing wisdom and reason.)

Virtue, Vice, and the Path to Wisdom

The cultivation of temperance, guided by prudence, is a critical step on the path to a virtuous life and ultimately, to wisdom. When our appetites are unruly, they cloud our judgment and distract us from higher pursuits. An intemperate person is often enslaved by their desires, making them susceptible to various vices and hindering their ability to think clearly or act justly.

By contrast, the temperate individual, guided by prudence, exercises self-control not for its own sake, but to liberate the rational soul to pursue deeper truths and more meaningful goods. This inner order allows for greater clarity of thought, fostering an environment where practical wisdom can flourish and inform all aspects of life. The Great Books of the Western World, from the dialogues of Plato to the theological syntheses of Aquinas, consistently affirm this interconnectedness: true freedom and virtue are not found in unrestrained indulgence, but in the reasoned mastery of oneself, a mastery orchestrated by prudence.

The Interplay of Prudence and Temperance

Aspect Prudence Temperance
Nature Intellectual Virtue (Practical Wisdom) Moral Virtue (Self-Control)
Primary Function To discern the right end and means To moderate desires and pleasures
Role in Virtue Guides all moral virtues; the "charioteer" Governs bodily appetites and sensual pleasures
Output Right judgment, informed decision-making Order, moderation, inner harmony
Without the Other Can be theoretical without practical application Can be blind, rigid, or arbitrary

Conclusion

The role of Prudence in Temperance is not merely supportive; it is constitutive. Prudence provides the intelligence, the foresight, and the discernment necessary for temperance to be a true virtue – a reasoned and adaptable moderation rather than a mere suppression of natural desires. As we strive for a life of balance and meaning, drawing from the enduring insights of the Great Books of the Western World, we find that the disciplined self-mastery of temperance is only truly achievable when illuminated by the guiding light of practical wisdom. It is through this harmonious interplay that we navigate the complexities of human existence, moving away from vice and towards a life of genuine flourishing.

Video by: The School of Life

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Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Plato Republic Temperance Self Control Philosophy"

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