Righteous reason applied to action: considerations on prudence as an ethical-political virtue

Abstract

This article seeks to outline a brief history of the concept of prudence, without the intention of locating its alleged origin. The aim is to question this terminology based on many of its appropriations, which means to assume that the contents on which this term is based are constantly updated. This exercise helps us analyze different notions of time, considering that the wise man should make good use of his experiences and memories (and, therefore, of the past), act rightly before the contingencies (present) and make good use of estimates and previsions that he may master (future).