ΑΥΞΗΣΙΣ
Aὔxēsis, a fundamental concept in ancient Greek philosophy, describes growth, expansion, and quantitative or qualitative increase. From Heraclitus and Plato to Aristotle, aὔxēsis was not merely a natural process but a central theme in cosmology, biology, and metaphysics. Its lexarithmos (879) suggests a connection to the fullness and perfection inherent in development.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, aὔxēsis (from the verb auxánō) primarily signifies 'increase, growth, enlargement'. This concept transcends simple quantitative change, encompassing qualitative evolution, maturation, and perfection. In classical philosophy, aὔxēsis forms a core axis for understanding nature, life, and change.
In Heraclitus, aὔxēsis is part of the perpetual flux and transformation of all things (panta rhei), where generation and decay are intertwined aspects of cosmic order. For Plato, aὔxēsis is associated with the sensible world, where things are born, grow, and perish, in contrast to the immutable Forms. Growth is a process that leads to perfection or imperfection, depending on its direction and purpose.
Aristotle develops the most systematic theory of aὔxēsis, particularly in his Physics and On the Soul. For him, aὔxēsis is one of the forms of motion (kínēsis kat' aúxēsin), where a being assimilates matter and develops towards its entelecheia, i.e., the full actualization of its form. Growth is not merely an addition but an organic development that maintains the being's identity, like a plant or animal growing without losing its essence. Aὔxēsis is the movement from potentiality (dýnamei) to actuality (energeía), a process guided by the internal form of the being.
Etymology
From the root aux- are derived many nouns, verbs, and adjectives. The verb auxánō constitutes the primary form, while aὔxēsis is the corresponding noun of the action or state. Other derivatives include adjectives such as auxētikós (that which causes growth) and auxētós (that which has grown), as well as compounds like epaúxēsis (additional increase) and prosaúxēsis (supplementary increase). These morphological derivatives demonstrate the root's flexibility in expressing different nuances of development and enlargement.
Main Meanings
- Physical Growth, Enlargement — The primary meaning, referring to the development of living organisms or an increase in size and volume. E.g., «ἡ τῶν φυτῶν αὔξησις» (the growth of plants).
- Quantitative Increase, Expansion — Refers to an increase in number, quantity, or extent. E.g., «αὔξησις τῆς πόλεως» (the expansion of the city).
- Qualitative Improvement, Progress — The evolution towards a better or more perfect stage. E.g., «αὔξησις τῆς ἀρετῆς» (the improvement of virtue).
- Development of Power or Influence — The strengthening of power, authority, or influence. E.g., «αὔξησις τῆς ἀρχῆς» (the increase of authority).
- Rhetorical Amplification, Argument Reinforcement — In rhetoric, aὔxēsis is the technique of strengthening an argument or magnifying the significance of an event. It is also referred to as 'climax' or 'amplification'.
- Philosophical Motion, Change — In Aristotelian philosophy, aὔxēsis is one of the four forms of motion (kínēsis), concerning the increase in the size of a body, in contrast to generation, corruption, and alteration.
Word Family
aux- (root of the verb auxánō, meaning 'to grow, increase')
The root aux- forms the core of a significant word family in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of development, increase, and enlargement. This root, deeply embedded in the oldest stratum of the language, expresses both quantitative expansion and qualitative evolution. The members of this family highlight various aspects of this fundamental process, from the act of growing to its result and the quality of being grown.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of aὔxēsis runs through ancient Greek thought, evolving from a simple observation of nature into a central philosophical problem.
In Ancient Texts
Three significant passages highlighting the philosophical importance of aὔxēsis:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΑΥΞΗΣΙΣ is 879, from the sum of its letter values:
879 decomposes into 800 (hundreds) + 70 (tens) + 9 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΑΥΞΗΣΙΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 879 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 6 | 8+7+9 = 24 → 2+4 = 6 — Six, the number of harmony, balance, and perfection, suggesting complete development. |
| Letter Count | 7 | 7 letters — Seven, the number of completeness, perfection, and cycles, symbolizing the culmination of the growth process. |
| Cumulative | 9/70/800 | Units 9 · Tens 70 · Hundreds 800 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | A-U-X-E-S-I-S | Advancement Underlying Xenial Evolution Sustaining Inherent Substance. |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 3C | 4 vowels (Α, Υ, Η, Ι) and 3 consonants (Ξ, Σ, Σ), indicating a balance between fluidity and structure in growth. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mars ♂ / Cancer ♋ | 879 mod 7 = 4 · 879 mod 12 = 3 |
Isopsephic Words (879)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (879) but different roots, offering interesting conceptual contrasts or complements:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 71 words with lexarithmos 879. 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.
- Aristotle — Physics. Translated by R. P. Hardie and R. K. Gaye. In The Basic Works of Aristotle, edited by R. McKeon. New York: Random House, 1941.
- Aristotle — On the Soul. Translated by J. A. Smith. In The Basic Works of Aristotle, edited by R. McKeon. New York: Random House, 1941.
- Plato — Theaetetus. Translated by M. J. Levett, revised by M. Burnyeat. In Plato: Complete Works, edited by J. M. Cooper. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1997.
- Kirk, G. S., Raven, J. E., Schofield, M. — The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History with a Selection of Texts. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983.
- Ross, W. D. — Aristotle. London: Methuen, 1923 (reprint Routledge, 1995).
- Barnes, J. — The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995.