Sophrosyne

Sophrosyne (σωφροσύνη) is a Greek philosophical term etymologically meaning healthy-mindedness and from their self-control or moderation guided by knowledge and balance.

In ancient Greek philosophy

In Greek philosophy Sophrosyne was a Greek goddess. She was the spirit of moderation, self control, temperance, restraint, and discretion. She was considered to be one of the good spirits that escaped Pandora's box when the first woman had opened the lid and fled to Olympos. Her Greek goddess equivalents were Continetia, the goddess of continence and moderations, and Sobrietas, the goddess of temperance and sobriety.^[1]

The Ancient Greeks upheld the ideal of sophrosyne, which means prudence and moderation but ultimately its complex meaning, so important to the ancients, is very difficult to convey in English. It is perhaps best expressed by the two most famous sayings of the Oracle of Delphi: "Nothing in excess" and "Know thyself."

The term suggests a life-long happiness obtained when one's philosophical needs are satisfied, resembling the idea of enlightenment through harmonious living. It is a nearly lost Classical ideal, but is enjoying some revival today with its emphasis on individuals to live within the proportions of reason and nature, this being achieved through practical wisdom and self knowledge. Parallels abound in eastern thought, in Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. The Analects of Confucius, for example, has several passages on humility that resemble discussions of the Greek ideal.^[2]

It is conceptually the opposite of hubris.

The word is found in the writings of Ancient Greece, especially that of Plato in ethical discussions of the dialogue Charmides where it refers to the avoidance of excess in daily life. This term in Plato's use is connected with the Pythagorean idea of harmonia.

In Christian theology

In Christian theology, especially in the Greek Orthodox patristic form, the word sophrosyne has come to mean purity, integrity and virginity,^[3] although this is not its Classical meaning. The Gospel of Matthew may be the source of this difference; however, there are clear examples in secular Hellenistic authors where sophrosyne refers to sexual fidelity and integrity (at least for a woman; cf. Callirhoe §2.8.4, §2.10.8).^[4] For the Ancient Greeks, "sophrosyne" had these noble connotations, but could also be used in more mundane contexts.^[5]

Hypatia of Alexandria was regarded as an example of sophrosyne. Biographer Maria Dzielska states that Hypatia remained a virgin to the end of her life^[6]

Examples of this term often appear in Greek literature as well. See the character of Deianeira in Trachinian Women by Sophocles. Achilles in The Iliad when Agamemnon decides to take Briseis or Oedipus in Oedipus Rex are examples of characters without sophrosyne. Plato's Symposium could accurately be subtitled "On Sophrosyne," and his character Socrates is sophrosyne exemplified.

References

See also

• Common sense
• Eve

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