Megalopsychia (μεγαλοψυχία): Meaning, Definition & Modern Application
meg-ah-loh-psoo-KHEE-ah
Greatness of soul—the virtue of one who considers themselves worthy of great things and is actually worthy of them. For Aristotle, it is the crown of all virtues, belonging to those who rightly claim honor for genuine excellence while remaining untroubled by fortune or misfortune.
Etymology
From megalos (great) and psyche (soul, spirit), literally “greatness of soul.” Aristotle devoted a famous passage in the Nicomachean Ethics to the megalopsychos (great-souled person), describing someone who accurately assesses their own worth and claims the honor they deserve. The concept was controversial even in antiquity; critics found it too proud. But Aristotle insisted that the truly great-souled person is not arrogant but accurate, neither inflating nor deflating their genuine accomplishments.
Modern Application
Cultivate an accurate estimation of your own worth—neither false modesty that shrinks from responsibility nor arrogance that claims unearned status. When you develop genuine excellence, step forward to lead without apology. Your ability to remain steady in both praise and criticism signals the inner magnitude that draws others to follow.
How to Practice Megalopsychia
Take an honest inventory of your genuine accomplishments and capabilities. Where are you undervaluing yourself? Where are you overclaiming? Adjust both directions toward accuracy. This month, step forward for one responsibility you have been avoiding out of false modesty, and step back from one area where you have been operating beyond your actual competence. Practice receiving praise without deflection and criticism without defensiveness. Both require the same inner stability. The great-souled person responds to external judgments from a settled center, neither inflated by flattery nor deflated by attack. Aristotle’s portrait of the megalopsychos in the Nicomachean Ethics was controversial even in antiquity, with critics finding it too proud. But his point was that the truly great-souled person is not arrogant but accurate, neither inflating nor deflating their genuine accomplishments. Develop this accuracy by asking trusted colleagues for honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses, and compare their view to your own. Where the assessments diverge, investigate the gap. Build the habit of claiming appropriate credit for genuine achievement while honestly acknowledging where you fall short.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is megalopsychia in Greek philosophy?
Megalopsychia is Aristotle's concept of greatness of soul, the virtue of one who considers themselves worthy of great things and genuinely is worthy. Aristotle called it the crown of all virtues, belonging to those who accurately claim honor for genuine excellence. The megalopsychos remains untroubled by both fortune and misfortune, responding to praise and criticism from a settled inner center.
What does megalopsychia mean?
Megalopsychia literally means "greatness of soul," from megalos (great) and psyche (soul). It describes the accurate self-assessment of someone who has achieved genuine excellence and claims the appropriate recognition without false modesty or arrogance. The concept was controversial even in antiquity, with some critics finding it too proud, but Aristotle insisted that accuracy about one's own worth is itself a virtue.
How do you practice megalopsychia?
You practice megalopsychia by developing an accurate estimation of your own worth. Step forward for responsibilities your genuine competence warrants, and step back where you overclaim. Receive both praise and criticism with equanimity, from a settled center that neither inflates nor deflates. Ask trusted colleagues to assess your strengths honestly, and compare their perspective to your own self-assessment to calibrate your accuracy.
What is the difference between megalopsychia and hubris?
Megalopsychia is the accurate assessment of genuine worth, claiming honor you have actually earned. Hubris is the delusional overestimation of your worth, claiming exemption from limits that apply to everyone. The great-souled person is honestly great; the hubristic person is dangerously self-deceived. The critical test is accuracy: megalopsychia requires the same clear-eyed self-knowledge that hubris destroys.
