PHRONETIK is ​an group decision-making method for complex public issues that aims to bring practical wisdom to schools, colleges and communities.

​

Phronesis or practical wisdom is the ability to do the right thing in any given situation in light of what is truly worthwhile and important in life.

It involves a sense for what features of a problem are most important, including the consequences of possible actions for the people involved.

 

Practical wisdom is not about living by a rigid set of uniformly applied rules or principles, but judging how best to uphold systems of universal values given the particulars of different situations and courses of action. It brings values, beliefs and facts into dynamic inter-relationship.

​

A competence that grows with experience, practical wisdom comes with practice.

 

PHRONETIK is a cooperative decision-making format for making practical wisdom judgements in small groups.

​

The aim is for groups to reach agreement on a complex public issue based on inputs that are set up to conflict, including the positive and negative consequences of a proposed action, the values promoted by different choices, and the values priorities of each participant.

​

These inputs are displayed and captured using a collaborative debate mapping tool. The structured format gives participants the steps they need to evaluate the problem together and provides a safe space to practice skills and abilities needed to make phronetic decisions in groups. These include:

​

• Active learning

• Cognitive flexibility

• Complex problem solving

• Critical thinking

• Emotional intelligence

• Judgement and decision-making

• Logical reasoning

• Negotiation

• Persuasion

 

Self-facilitated, re-usable and easily retooled with content on a range of topics, PHRONETIK is an ideal engagement and educational resource for schools, colleges and communities.