Arete
The Greek concept of excellence, virtue, and reaching one's highest potential.
Also known as: Excellence, Virtue, Human excellence
Category: Concepts
Tags: philosophies, wisdom, excellence, virtue, potential
Explanation
Arete is an ancient Greek concept meaning excellence, virtue, and the fulfillment of purpose - living up to one's fullest potential. For the Greeks, arete was: the highest quality of being, excellence specific to one's nature and role, and the goal of human development. Every person and thing has its own arete - a knife's arete is sharpness, a horse's is speed, a human's is rational and virtuous living. Arete involves: developing natural capacities, performing one's function excellently, and striving for the best in character and action. The concept connects to: eudaimonia (flourishing through arete), virtue ethics (arete as virtue), and self-actualization (reaching potential). Pursuing arete requires: self-knowledge (understanding your nature), practice (developing capacities), and commitment (ongoing striving). Arete is not comparison with others but becoming the best version of yourself. For knowledge workers, arete means: identifying your unique strengths and calling, developing your capacities to their fullest, and pursuing excellence in your specific work and life.
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