Greek Philosophical Concepts
The philosophical vocabulary of excellence. These ancient Greek concepts provide the foundation for pursuing arete and achieving eudaimonia in your work and life.
Foundational
Core concepts everyone should know
Arete
ἀρετή
Excellence of function. Not achievement or outcome, but becoming excellent through consistent action and the full expression of your capabilities.
Eudaimonia
εὐδαιμονία
Human flourishing. The deep satisfaction of functioning as you were meant to function, living in alignment with your nature and purpose.
Intermediate
Deeper philosophical ideas
Andreia
ἀνδρεία
Courage. The willingness to face what's difficult rather than retreat to what's comfortable, acting despite fear rather than in its absence.
Kairos
καιρός
The opportune or decisive moment—the critical point in time when conditions align for effective action. Unlike chronos (sequential time), kairos represents qualitative time: the right moment that demands recognition and response.
Phronesis
φρόνησις
Practical wisdom. The capacity to discern the right action in specific situations, particularly knowing what not to do.
Sophrosyne
σωφροσύνη
Self-mastery and moderation. The discipline to regulate yourself internally when nothing external compels you to continue.
Advanced
Nuanced concepts for serious study
The Language of Excellence
These concepts aren't academic abstractions. They're tools for transformation. The ancient Greeks developed this vocabulary because they understood that naming something precisely is the first step toward achieving it.
Put Ancient Wisdom Into Practice
Understanding the concepts is just the beginning. The real work is applying them daily.
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