The meaning of Arete
Yvonne writes:
What does arete mean in greek?
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Hi Yvonne, arete (ΑΡΕΤΗ)
means virtue. The meaning of virtue varies from author to author, but in
general it is not a kind of discipline, but reflects qualities that belong to
God, the divine life, which becomes itself a gift to men
- I was told it (arete) means excellence. Is that true?
No, this isn't true. Read e.g. Plato's Phaedo (93e) where Socrates says that
arete is armonia (harmony), the fitness of things and measure. Arete is the
opposite of kakia (evil). In Cratylus, where Plato plays with etymologies,
explains arete as coming from aei reein (continuously flowing), meaning that
the good soul is free and unimpeded always. Arete is almost a synonym of
wisdom and freedom: "knowledge of God is true wisdom (sophia) and virtue
(arete)" (Theaetetus).
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Related:
•
Plato:
the meaning of Paideia
•
The Greek Word - Three
Millennia of Greek Literature
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