Panel: EARTHING INTERFAITH DIALOGUE - THE PERSONAL LEVEL



10.3 - INTERRELIGIOUS PHRONESIS: BRIDGING PRACTICAL WISDOM AND INTERFAITH ENGAGEMENT

AUTHORS:
Gustafson H. (Director of the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies (College of Arts and Sciences), Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology, University of St. Thomas ~ Minnesota ~ United States of America)
Text:
This paper explores the concept of interreligious phronesis - rooted in Aristotelian practical wisdom - as a guiding virtue essential for navigating the complexities of religiously diverse contexts. It outlines four key dimensions of this practical wisdom: Know What (episteme), Know Who (empathia), Know Why (sophia), and Know How (techne). These dimensions co-constitute the ability to act thoughtfully and effectively in interfaith encounters, emphasizing not just the knowledge of religious diversity but also the skills and moral virtues necessary to engage constructively with others. By grounding interfaith dialogue in these personal dimensions, this paper provides a practical framework that bridges theoretical models and real-world applications.