What is Arete?

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known”-Carl Sagan

Arete comes from the classical Greek era originally defined as “excellence” in a form. Commonly associated with virtue as in the excellence of character. Not in the bashing sense of excellence the ego uses that deems those around you as incompetent or lesser but the view that excellence of character is that of an ever achieving one, driven on the pursuit to rise beyond the mediocrity of life. Arete is not gender specific and can be reflected by all those who chose to achieve. The Homeric use of Arete is the actualization of all the potentials available to humans. The act of living up to one’s true potential. Arete has a metaphysical meaning in which that it cannot be definitively defined. That Arete is this feeling of intrinsic motivation to evolve oneself. To be a person of Arete is to use all of the faculties of man to achieve the highest form of excellence.

These faculties include the Mind, Body, and Soul. These are within a synergistic system that rely upon another. To lack in the exercise of the Body is to give waste to the Mind and Soul and vice versa. Without the pursuit of optimization of the whole system you cannot achieve Arete. Arete cannot not be taught, but it can forged in the fire of discipline and sharpened by focus. The Paideia of Greece and the Agoge of Sparta recognized this, thus created a curriculum to facilitate the Arete of its citizens.

• Mind: delving into the math, natural sciences and mechanics of the world we occupy. Teaching the practice and power of rhetoric and oratory.
• Body: rigorous physical activity such as combat sports, physical competition and gymnastics.
• Soul: The contemplation of philosophy, the arts, and meditation.

Plato saw fit that Arete is the sum qualities that make the highest morals of virtue. Pursuit of Arete can be seen as the western parallel of the Eastern idea of “Bodhicitta” or the “enlightenment mind”, the pursuit of compassion and wisdom for the benefit of life. Arete is based upon the Four Cardinal Virutes (Aretai):

1. Wisdom (Sophia)

2. Justice (Dikalosyne)

3. Courage (Andreia)

4. Temperance (Solrosyne)

The pursuit of Arete can be closely tied to the philosophy of Stoicism. Not a philosophy based on the origin of life or where we came from, but the act of living and creating a fulfilled life day by day. To attain wisdom to better oneself for the benefit of the people is of the highest virtues, because before you can help others you must be able and willing to help yourself. To act in a Just way not to bring harm upon your fellow citizens. To have the Courage to face your fears, confront your ego, and stand fast in the gale of life. And lastly to have Temperance for yourself and the progress you make and for those around you who can act unjustly.

Arete is not a destination, not something that you do correctly once and have it for life like some mediocre certification you can be rewarded. No Arete is a journey, a struggle with one’s self, the environment around you, the decisions and temptations faulty to us Humans. There is no set path no straight line to Arete and no one’s journey is the same. There is not a correct answer for what Arete is to you, wander and learn, gather and articulate your own meaning of how you live a life of Arete. That is what this blog is about, a modern day Paideia for the modern Human. Learn about how to optimize your mind, body, and soul. From the fringe field of altered conscious states, to the physical improvement through efficient training, and the many benefits to meditation. The sharing of knowledge is not one way, encourage the ideas and thoughts everyone can bring to the table. Remember Arete is a constant endeavor to live your life of excellence and no one has a black and white answer. Constantly pursuit knowledge, put it to the test and adapt.

I leave you with a quote from one of the greatest Emperor’s of the Roman Empire, a practicer of Stoicism and a man who personifies the concept of Arete, “Let the god that is within you be the champion of the being you are.”