Prudence

Allegory of prudence with a mirror. Obernzell ( Lower Bavaria ). Parish Church of the Assumption - Rococo pulpit (1747)

Prudence ( ancient Greek σωφροσύνη sophrosýne , Sophrosyne ) denotes, in contrast to impulsiveness , the considered, self- controlled serenity , which allows the mind to keep the upper hand, especially in difficult or delicate situations , in order to avoid rash and rash decisions or actions.

While prudence points to the rational aspect, serenity emphasizes the emotional parts of inner calm .

Sophrosyne

The meaning and translation of ancient Greek σωφροσύνη is:

common sense, reasonable clear prudence, prudence, correct knowledge .
level-headed restraint, self-control , moderation of desires, celibacy, temperance, sobriety , decency, order, obedience, modesty, morality, morality.

With Socrates the word means the prudence based on correct insight and which has become morality ... Actually the word means health of the diaphragm , in which the seat of the soul was supposed to be.

philosophy

The prudence plays in many philosophical a central role schools of thought:

In Confucianism, prudence is one of the central ideals .
Socrates has the prudent equanimity praised as a supposedly special virtue. In Plato's dialogue with Charmides , the question of what prudence is provisionally answered by doing what is his and what is good. For Socrates' interlocutor, Kritias, prudence is synonymous with self-knowledge . However, Socrates does not develop a final definition within the dialogue.
With Plato, prudence is later the special virtue for the nutritional level, i.e. for tradespeople, and the covetous part of the soul . He sees in this the agreement of the naturally worse and the better part in the question of which of them has to rule in the city and in each individual person. So prudence must be inherent in both rulers and ruled in the city, but especially in the ruled. - It is one of four cardinal virtues in Plato.
Even Aristotle counts the deliberation on the ethical and character virtues ( Nicomachean Ethics ).
In the Stoa it is important for the wise to be reluctant to judge too quickly. It is referred to as an epoch ( ancient Greek έποχή), which also means something like inner "breakpoint".
For Epicurus , steadfastness or ataraxia is required for peace of mind. Horace , who was devoted to the thinking of Epicurus, spoke of moderation as "golden mediocrity" ( aurea mediocritas ). In doing so, he wants to strike the right balance between overly ambitious striving and contemptuous lowliness (ne quid nimis).
For Paul , prudence is one of the two criteria for the correct application of the charisms ( Rom. 12 : 3-8 EU ). However, it must be accompanied by modesty . At the same time, it is considered a gift of the divine spirit ( 2 Tim 1,7 EU ), especially in the context of the Christian preaching service ( 2 Tim 1,6.8 EU ).

St. Francis de Sales associates prudence with the virtue of silence , which is always better than preaching a loveless truth .

David Hume counts prudence as one of the useful for society, in contrast to the pleasant virtues.

For Johann Gottfried Herder ( Treatise on the Origin of Language ), prudence is a human condition that is synonymous with reflection and therefore invented language for the first time in a free-acting manner. This prudence is characteristic of man and essential to his species.

For Charles Caleb Colton (1780–1832) prudence is the inseparable companion of wisdom , but counterproductive to genius .

With reference to Immanuel Kant , the anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner sees the opposite of naivety in critical prudence .

Prudence also plays a role in Islam . According to the tradition of Sahl Ibn Sa`d it says: Allah's Messenger said: "Prudence is from Allah and haste from the devil ".

But one-sided, overemphasized or uncritical prudence is also warned, as it then slips into inaction ( laziness ).

astronomy

The asteroid 134 Sophrosyne is named after the Greek word for prudence .

literature

Otto Friedrich Bollnow : Nature and Change of Virtues. Ullstein, Frankfurt, 1958, pp. 89-98.

Web links

Wikiquote: Prudence - Quotes

Wiktionary: Prudence - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

^ Benseler, Gustav Eduard et al .: Greek-German school dictionary . BG Teubner, Leipzig ¹³ 1911; P. 893
↑ ^a ^b Schischkoff, Georgi (ed.): Philosophical dictionary. Alfred-Kröner, Stuttgart ¹⁴ 1982, ISBN 3-520-013215 , (a) zu Lexikon-Stw. Sophrosyne , pp. 645 f .; (b) see (a);
↑ Horace : Carmina II; 10.5
↑ Lamer, Hans and Kroh, Paul: Dictionary of antiquity . Alfred-Kröner, Volume 96, 10th edition, Stuttgart 1995, Lemma Sophrosyne , p. 701 and aurea mediocritas , p. 79.

[GDW-1] Benseler, Gustav Eduard et al .: Greek-German school dictionary . BG Teubner, Leipzig ¹³ 1911; P. 893

[PWB-2] Schischkoff, Georgi (ed.): Philosophical dictionary. Alfred-Kröner, Stuttgart ¹⁴ 1982, ISBN 3-520-013215 , (a) zu Lexikon-Stw. Sophrosyne , pp. 645 f .; (b) see (a);

[3] Horace : Carmina II; 10.5

[4] Lamer, Hans and Kroh, Paul: Dictionary of antiquity . Alfred-Kröner, Volume 96, 10th edition, Stuttgart 1995, Lemma Sophrosyne , p. 701 and aurea mediocritas , p. 79.