“Practical wisdom is a true and reasoned state of capacity to act with regard to the things that are good or bad for man.”

-Aristotle

While theoretical (scientific) reason aims at the truth to determine the things we cannot change, practical reasoning investigates what is in our ability to change and aims at making good choices. In order to make good choices, our reasoning must be correct and we must also have the right desires. Reasoning about what we can change is deliberation. Practical reason, therefore, is expressed in deliberation.

“Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Practical wisdom involves the following:

• A general knowledge/conception of what is good or bad, related to the conditions for human flourishing;
• Ability to perceive, based on the above knowledge, what is required in terms of mindset, choice, and action in a particular situation;
• Ability to deliberate well;
• Ability to act on that deliberation.