Sophrosyne

Prudence ( σωφροσύνη [ sophrosyne ] Sophrosyne ) referred to in contrast to impulsivity, the deliberate, to avoid self-possessed serenity that even in difficult or awkward situations the mind can keep the upper hand especially hasty decisions or actions and ill-considered.

While prudence points to the rational aspect emphasizes the emotional composure shares inner peace.

Sophrosyne

The Meaning and Translation of Ancient Greek σωφροσύνη is: 1) healthy mind, clear rational prudence, wisdom, correct knowledge. 2) prudent restraint, self-control, moderation of desires, abstinence, temperance, sobriety, decency, order, obedience, modesty, morality, morality. For Socrates the word means based on the real insight and become the morality prudence ... Actually, the word health of the diaphragm, in which the seat of the soul was suspected.

Philosophy

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

• In Confucianism prudence is one of the central ideals.
• Socrates has praised the prudent equanimity as a special virtue. In Plato's dialogue the Charmides is the question of what prudence was, answered it, his own and thus to do good. Prudence is thus synonymous with self-knowledge for Socrates. A final definition but does not develop the work.
• In Plato prudence is later, the special for the Nährstand, so for businesses, and the covetous soul part of virtue. He sees this as the compliance of the inferior by nature and the better part of the question, which had to be ruled by them in the city and in every man. The prudence must therefore both the governors and the governed, inherent in the city, but especially the governed. - She is one of four cardinal virtues of Plato.
• Aristotle is one of prudence on the ethical and character virtues ( Nicomachean Ethics ).
• In Stoicism the reluctance of too rapid judgments of the wise is important. It is referred to as an epoch (old Greek έποχή ), which also means as much as inner " breakpoint ".
• For Epicurus imperturbability or ataraxia for peace of mind is required. Horace, who was fond of the thought of Epicurus, spoke of moderation as a "golden mediocrity " ( aurea mediocritas ). He wants to strike the right balance between too high aspirations and contemptible meanness (ne quid nimis ).
• In Paul, the prudence of the two criteria for the correct application of charisms (Rom 12.3 to 8 EU). However, they had to be accompanied by humility. 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 message service (2 Tim 1,6.8 EU).
• St. Francis de Sales connects with the prudence, the virtue of silence, which is always better than to announce a loveless truth.
• David Hume is one of the prudence to useful for society, in contrast to the pleasing virtues.
• In Johann Gottfried Herder (Treatise on the origin of language ) Prudence is a human condition that is synonymous with reflection and have therefore freely acting first invented the language. This prudence is the human characteristic and its own genus considerably.
• Charles Caleb Colton For (1780-1832) prudence is indeed the inseparable companion of wisdom, but counterproductive to genius.
• The anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner sees citing Immanuel Kant in the critical prudence the opposite of naivety.

But is also warned against a unilateral, exaggerated or non-critical prudence, since they abgleite then the inaction ( inertia).

Astronomy

After the Greek word for prudence and the asteroid is named 134 Sophrosyne.