Book 6 / Chapter 7
Paragraph 5 - Practical Wisdom and Deliberation
Explanation - Part By Part
"Practical wisdom on the other hand is concerned with things human and things about which it is possible to deliberate; for we say this is above all the work of the man of practical wisdom, to deliberate well, but no one deliberates about things invariable, nor about things which have not an end, and that a good that can be brought about by action."
Here, Aristotle is contrasting practical wisdom (or phronesis in Greek) with the more theoretical or purely intellectual form of wisdom (philosophic wisdom). Practical wisdom focuses on human actions and decisions. It deals specifically with matters where we have a choice and where deliberation (careful thought or discussion) is possible.
What he's saying is that practical wisdom isn’t about abstract or unchanging truths—things that don’t vary, like mathematical principles, or eternal, unalterable facts. Instead, it applies to situations where there’s an endpoint or purpose (telos) that can be achieved through our actions. Its ultimate goal is to figure out how to act in the best way to achieve a good outcome in practical, everyday human matters.
For Aristotle, the ability to deliberate well—to think carefully about how to achieve beneficial ends through appropriate means—is the defining skill of someone with practical wisdom. This form of wisdom is action-oriented and grounded in the real, variable world of human life, unlike purely theoretical wisdom, which looks at universal truths without concern for practical outcomes.
"The man who is without qualification good at deliberating is the man who is capable of aiming in accordance with calculation at the best for man of things attainable by action."
This part is saying that a truly wise and practical person is someone who is skilled at deliberating—or thoughtfully considering options—in a way that leads to the best possible outcome for humans, within the realm of what can actually be achieved through action. In other words, practical wisdom is about making thoughtful, calculated decisions that aim toward what is realistically good and beneficial for people. It’s not about abstract theorizing; it’s grounded in figuring out what’s best in the real world and how to take steps to achieve it.
"Nor is practical wisdom concerned with universals only-it must also recognize the particulars; for it is practical, and practice is concerned with particulars."
In this part, Aristotle is emphasizing that practical wisdom (or phronesis, as it’s called in Greek) isn’t just about understanding general principles or abstract ideas ("universals"). Instead, it must also apply to specific, real-life situations ("particulars"). Since practical wisdom is about action, it requires not only theoretical understanding but also the ability to recognize and navigate the concrete details of particular circumstances. Simply put, knowing general rules isn’t enough; you need to know how those rules apply in the messy, day-to-day realities of life.
"This is why some who do not know, and especially those who have experience, are more practical than others who know; for if a man knew that light meats are digestible and wholesome, but did not know which sorts of meat are light, he would not produce health, but the man who knows that chicken is wholesome is more likely to produce health."
Here, Aristotle is emphasizing the importance of practical, hands-on knowledge over abstract or purely theoretical knowledge, especially in contexts where direct action is required.
He explains this by giving an example: Imagine someone who knows a general principle, like "light foods are easier to digest and healthier." But if that person doesn’t know which specific foods are "light" — for example, that chicken is light and healthy — they wouldn’t be able to use their knowledge to help someone achieve better health. On the other hand, someone with actual experience, who knows that chicken is a healthy option, will be more effective, even if they don’t fully understand the general principle.
Aristotle is underscoring that practical wisdom is tied to specific, real-world knowledge and the ability to act on it. It’s not enough to understand abstract ideas; what matters in practical contexts is recognizing how to apply that knowledge in concrete situations.