The Ways of Aristotle

Aristotle has been continuously at the frontier of philosophical reflection for almost 2400 years. Throughout the 20th century the influence of his practical philosophy has been growing. His non-modernist concept of phrnsis or practical wisdom is attracting increasing interest as an alternative to both modernism and post-modernism. This book is a meticulous study of Aristotles phrnsis and its applications to the fields of personal development or character formation and of ethical virtues. It also relates phrnsis to the wider context of Aristotles theoretical philosophy and of his different ways of knowing, and to both theoretical and practical concerns within modern social and action research. The whole of Aristotles thinking is radically practice-based and directed. However, it never loses its theoretical focus. His theoretical philosophy is fundamentally dialogical. Hence, the relevance of Aristotelian thinking is striking for the current reconfigurations in the social organisation of learning and knowledge production.