Below you’ll find the first abstract that I submitted for presentation at a conference – the Jubilee Centre’s 2024 annual conference on the theme of leadership. The abstract was shortlisted, though ultimately not accepted. Still, I consider that a good result for a first attempt!
A phronimos is someone who possesses phronesis or “practical wisdom” (see Key concepts). One of the functions of phronesis is to adjudicate between competing virtues. If you’re faced with a choice between honesty and kindness, for example, phronesis helps you determine the best course of action. This occurs at the individual level.
In the abstract, I propose suggest that the ideal leader performs an analogous role at the collective level – adjudicating not between competing virtues, but between competing individuals, each with their own strengths, blind spots, and values. In this sense, the ideal leader might be thought of as a collective phronimos.
I go on to suggest some traits that would enable a leader to fulfil this role effectively. You can read the full abstract below.