Phronema is a transliteration of the Greek word φρόνημα, which has the meanings of "mind", "spirit", "thought", "purpose", "will", and can have either a positive meaning ("high spirit", "resolution", "pride") or a bad sense ("presumption", "arrogance").[1]
In theNew Testament, the word is used four times inSaint Paul'sLetter to the Romans: twice with "τῆς σαρκός" (of the flesh) and twice with "τοῦ πνεύματος" (of the spirit): "for themind of the flesh [is] death, and themind of the Spirit – life and peace; because themind of the flesh [is] enmity to God [...] and He who is searching the hearts hath known what [is] themind of the Spirit" (Romans 8:6-27).[2]
The termphronema is used inEastern Orthodoxtheology for one particularmindset oroutlook – theEastern Orthodox mind.[3] The attaining ofphronema in this sense is a matter of practicing the correct faith (orthodoxia) in the correct manner (orthopraxis). Attainingphronema is regarded as the first step towardtheosis, the state ofglorification.[4]
Phronema is also the name of the official annual review ofSt Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College, Sydney, Australia. It presents articles and book reviews from Orthodox and non-Orthodox on topics with central reference to theology, Church history and Orthodoxy.[5]
The term was used byJohn Henry Newman in an article published in 1859 under the title "On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine". He said that theconsensus of the faithful is to be regarded as "a sort of instinct, orphronēma, deep in the bosom of the mystical body of Christ".[6]
The term was used byErnst Haeckel in his bookThe Wonders of Life[7] where (p. 342) the phronema is the name given to a part of the cortex, as “the real organ of mind”.
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