Crossing the Divide Between Aristotle's Phronesis and Techne to Discover a More Inclusive Way of Living Well

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dc.contributor.advisorYurdin, Joel
dc.contributor.authorChai, Rodney Ming-Fui
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-19T15:52:06Z
dc.date.available2016-01-19T15:52:06Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractIn my paper, I argue that the Chinese Taoist philosopher, Zhuang Zi (369-286 BC) can help us see that Aristotle's distinction between two of his intellectual virtues - phronesis (practical wisdom) and techne (craftsmanship) - is not that clear after all. I will first introduce Aristotle's intellectual virtues in his Nicomachean Ethics. In particular, I will distinguish between techne and phronesis. Next, I will show how the two are related, especially how someone who has mastered a particular technical know-how can help him/her gain practical wisdom in living his/her life. Following which, I will bring in Zhuang Zi's parable of Butcher Ting cutting the ox to show how one can cultivate his/her character and state of psychology and therefore live an excellent life by being immersed and excelling in his/her techne. I will then address possible objections from Aristotle, primarily that it is possible for one to excel in his/her techne but nonetheless lack the wisdom to live well in the daily context. Following my counter-response with Zhuang Zi's distinction between 'small' and 'big' understanding, I will then argue that it is sufficient rather than necessary to possess techne in order to live well. Finally, I will conclude by saying that blurring the divide between techne and phronesis provides an alternative route for people to acquire the knowledge of living well despite a lack of education or literacy.
dc.description.sponsorshipHaverford College. Department of Philosophy
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10066/17619
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rights.accessOpen Access
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/us/
dc.subject.lcshAristotle. Nicomachean ethics
dc.subject.lcshAristotle -- Criticism and interpretation
dc.subject.lcshZhuangzi. Nanhua jing. Selections
dc.subject.lcshZhuangzi -- Criticism and interpretation
dc.subject.lcshTechne (Philosophy)
dc.subject.lcshWisdom
dc.subject.lcshWell-being
dc.titleCrossing the Divide Between Aristotle's Phronesis and Techne to Discover a More Inclusive Way of Living Well
dc.typeThesis
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