ΑΥΤΟΚΙΝΗΤΟΣ
The self-moving soul (αὐτοκίνητος ψυχή), a pivotal concept in Platonic philosophy, describes the soul's inherent capacity to initiate motion from within, without external impulse. This intrinsic quality renders it immortal and the ultimate source of all movement in the cosmos. Its lexarithmos (1429) subtly reflects the complexity and self-contained nature of existence.
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The adjective «αὐτοκίνητος» (autokinētos, -os, -on) signifies "self-moving" or "self-acting." It is a compound word formed from «αὐτός» (self) and «κίνητος» (movable, from the verb «κινέω», to move). Its primary usage in classical Greek philosophy, particularly by Plato, refers to the soul as the principle of motion that is not moved by anything else, but rather moves itself.
In Plato's Phaedrus (245c-e), the self-moving nature of the soul constitutes the fundamental argument for its immortality. The soul, as the source of life and motion, cannot cease to move, for then it would cease to exist. This inherent property establishes it as the origin of all motion in the universe, encompassing both the physical and intelligible realms.
The concept extends to other philosophical schools, albeit with different nuances. In Aristotle, the idea of the "unmoved mover" (πρῶτον κινοῦν ἀκίνητον, Metaphysics Λ, 1072a) differs from Plato's self-moving soul, as Aristotle's prime mover moves as a final cause, not as an internal principle of motion. Nevertheless, the core idea of an internal source of motion remains central to understanding self-activity and autonomy.
In more general usage, the word can refer to anything that moves without external impetus, whether natural phenomena or mechanical devices. Its philosophical weight, however, establishes it as a key term for comprehending ancient Greek thought concerning the soul, life, and cosmic order.
Etymology
From the root κιν- stems a rich family of words describing motion in all its forms. The basic verb «κινέω» (to move, to stir, to excite) forms the core. From this are derived nouns such as «κίνησις» (motion, change), «κίνημα» (movement, gesture, political movement), and «κινητήρ» (mover, motor). Adjectives like «κινητικός» (able to move or cause motion) and «ἀκίνητος» (unmoving, motionless) further illustrate the various facets of motion and stillness.
Main Meanings
- Self-moving, self-acting — The fundamental meaning, especially in Platonic philosophy concerning the soul as the source of life and motion.
- Spontaneous, of one's own accord — Describes actions or phenomena occurring without external intervention or compulsion.
- Possessing an internal principle of motion — Implies the existence of an inherent mechanism or force that initiates movement, as opposed to motion caused by an external force.
- Autonomous, independent — A metaphorical usage denoting the capacity to function without external guidance or dependence.
- Self-sufficient, capable of self-maintenance — An extension of the concept of autonomy to a system or entity that possesses the resources for its own operation.
- (In modern usage) Automobile, motor vehicle — Although not a classical usage, the word has survived and acquired this meaning in Modern Greek, retaining the original idea of self-propulsion, though this specific application did not exist in antiquity.
Word Family
kin- (root of the verb κινέω, meaning "to move, to stir")
The root kin- constitutes one of the oldest and most productive nuclei of the Greek lexicon, expressing the concept of motion, change, and excitation in all its manifestations. From it derive words describing both physical displacement and psychic or spiritual arousal. This root, belonging to the oldest stratum of the language, has yielded countless derivatives and compounds, highlighting motion as a fundamental aspect of existence and thought.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of self-motion, central to philosophy, has a long history:
In Ancient Texts
Two of the most significant passages referring to the self-moving soul:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΑΥΤΟΚΙΝΗΤΟΣ is 1429, from the sum of its letter values:
1429 is a prime number — indivisible, a quality the Pythagoreans considered the mark of pure essence.
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΥΤΟΚΙΝΗΤΟΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 1429 | Prime number |
| Decade Numerology | 7 | 1+4+2+9 = 16 → 1+6 = 7. The number 7 symbolizes perfection, completeness, and spiritual fulfillment, reflecting the self-contained nature and immortality of the self-moving soul. |
| Letter Count | 11 | 11 letters (A-U-T-O-K-I-N-E-T-O-S). 1+1 = 2. The number 2 suggests duality and relationship, possibly alluding to the soul's relation to the body or the distinction between what moves and what is moved. |
| Cumulative | 9/20/1400 | Units 9 · Tens 20 · Hundreds 1400 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | A-U-T-O-K-I-N-E-T-O-S | Autonomous Universal Teleological Originating Kinetic Internal Numinous Essence (An interpretive approach highlighting the autonomy and inherent wisdom of the internal principle of motion). |
| Grammatical Groups | 6V · 5C | 6 vowels (A, U, O, I, E, O) and 5 consonants (T, K, N, T, S), suggesting a balance between fluidity and stability in the concept of motion. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mercury ☿ / Taurus ♉ | 1429 mod 7 = 1 · 1429 mod 12 = 1 |
Isopsephic Words (1429)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1429) but different roots:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 60 words with lexarithmos 1429. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
- Plato — Phaedrus, ed. Oxford Classical Texts.
- Plato — Laws, ed. Oxford Classical Texts.
- Aristotle — Physics, ed. Oxford Classical Texts.
- Aristotle — Metaphysics, ed. Oxford Classical Texts.
- Diels, H., Kranz, W. — Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker. Berlin: Weidmannsche Buchhandlung, 1951-1952.
- Long, A. A., Sedley, D. N. — The Hellenistic Philosophers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987.