Andreia (ἀνδρεία): Meaning, Definition & Modern Application
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Courage. The willingness to face what's difficult rather than retreat to what's comfortable, acting despite fear rather than in its absence.
Etymology
From aner (man, in the sense of a mature adult), originally meaning “manliness” or “manly valor.” In Homer, andreia described the physical bravery of warriors in battle. Plato expanded the concept in the Laches dialogue, arguing that true courage requires wisdom about what genuinely deserves fear. Aristotle further refined it as the mean between cowardice and recklessness, making courage a matter of character rather than testosterone.
Modern Application
Andreia shows up in your willingness to have hard conversations, to take action before you feel ready, and to risk looking foolish in pursuit of what matters. It's not fearlessness. It's choosing character over comfort when the stakes are real.
How to Practice Andreia
Identify one conversation you have been avoiding because it feels uncomfortable, and schedule it this week. Before entering it, write down what you fear will happen and what you know is true. After the conversation, note what actually occurred. This gap between feared and actual outcomes is where courage builds. Next, volunteer for one project or responsibility that stretches beyond your current comfort zone each quarter. Create a “courage log” where you record moments you chose the harder right over the easier wrong. Review it when your resolve weakens. Practice graduated exposure: start with small acts of courage in low-stakes situations and progressively raise the difficulty. Each time you act despite fear, your threshold for discomfort expands. Pair with a trusted colleague and commit to holding each other accountable for one courageous action per week. Aristotle taught that courage is a habit, not a feeling, and it strengthens through deliberate repetition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is andreia in Greek philosophy?
Andreia is the Greek virtue of courage, understood not as the absence of fear but as the capacity to act rightly despite it. Aristotle defined it as the mean between cowardice and recklessness, requiring both bravery and wisdom about what truly deserves fear. In Plato's Laches, Socrates explored the nature of courage through dialogue with two Athenian generals, concluding that true courage requires knowledge of what genuinely warrants fear and what does not.
What does andreia mean?
Andreia originally meant "manliness" or "manly valor," from the Greek word aner (man). Over time, Greek philosophers expanded its meaning to encompass moral courage, the willingness to face difficulty and act on principle regardless of personal risk. By the time Aristotle wrote the Nicomachean Ethics, andreia had evolved well beyond battlefield bravery to include the courage required for ethical action in everyday life.
How do you practice andreia?
You practice andreia by deliberately engaging with discomfort rather than avoiding it. Have the difficult conversations, take action before you feel ready, and volunteer for challenges that stretch your capabilities. Courage strengthens through use, like any other capacity. Start by identifying the specific fears that hold you back, then design small, concrete actions that directly confront each one until the fear loses its grip.
What is the difference between andreia and karteria?
Andreia is active courage, the willingness to confront difficulty and take decisive action despite fear. Karteria is patient endurance, the capacity to bear prolonged hardship without yielding. Andreia charges forward; karteria holds the line. A leader needs both: andreia for the moments that demand bold action, and karteria for the long stretches where progress is slow and the temptation to quit is constant.
