Virtues as Triple Helix Formation Part 9: Prudence in Wisdom of Worthiness - the structural virtues theory weblog

Prudence is the wisdom of worthiness, the appreciation of value through skill in Propriety’s three virtues. It requires the greater identifications of others and universals, a broadened perspective gained only through life experience to do with the Eros domain of Resurrexit theory.

Through Analysis’ moment of Awareness, Prudence measures worthiness, guiding our actions towards meaningful endeavours. It is not about caution for its own sake but discernment based on deep understanding. This is the most maternal of virtues, where the previous in Conservation is the most paternal. Prudence relies upon Conservation, and cannot operate fully without solidity from the stability it provides.

The most important things to conserve are our own virtues, and until we understand this, we can’t know value in being prudent or ethical. In a world filled with distractions, prudence helps us focus on what truly matters. It enables realignments and values in the next virtue of Ethics, ensuring that our desires are tempered by wisdom and directed towards the greatest good.

Interesting aside: humour derives most from the relationship between the virtue of Prudence and the similarly “charted” sin: Delusion. This fits very well with ancient philosophical definitions of comedy having to do with somewhat harmless error, since the neighbouring sin is the first internalising one: Corruption.

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Virtues as Triple Helix Formation

This is part 9 of 12 in Virtues as Triple Helix Formation