ΒΟΥΛΗΣΙΣ
Boulēsis, the act of willing, the exercise of desire or decision. In ancient philosophy, particularly Aristotle, it is distinguished from mere appetite (orexis) as a rational, conscious choice. Its lexarithmos (920) suggests a connection to the fullness and perfection of the will.
Definition
According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, *boulēsis* (βούλησις, ἡ) is defined as "the act of willing, will, desire, purpose." This word, while appearing in classical texts, gains particular philosophical weight with Aristotle, who clearly distinguishes it from other forms of desire.
In the *Nicomachean Ethics*, Aristotle defines *boulēsis* as the rational desire for the good. Unlike *orexis* (mere appetite or desire) which can be irrational and concern the pleasant, *boulēsis* is directed towards the good, which is apprehended through reason. It is a conscious choice that presupposes deliberation and judgment, forming the basis of ethical action.
In Stoic philosophy, *boulēsis* is identified with rational impulse (*hormē logikē*) and is considered the soul's activity that leads to actions in accordance with Nature and Reason. The Stoics emphasized the need for the will to align with the universal order, avoiding passions that disturb inner tranquility.
In Christian theology, *boulēsis* assumes a central role in understanding the nature of God and humanity. Divine will (the will of God) is discussed as the source of creation and salvation, as is human will, which, though free (*autexousion*), is called to align with the divine. The Church Fathers, especially Saint Maximus the Confessor, developed detailed distinctions between natural and gnomic will, particularly in the context of Christological controversies.
Etymology
Related words include: *boulomai* (the verb "to will"), *boulē* (council, decision), *bouleutēs* (councillor), *bouleutikos* (pertaining to counsel), *boulēma* (the result of willing, a decision), *boulētos* (wished for, desirable, willed), *boulētikos* (pertaining to the will).
Main Meanings
- The act of willing, volition — The general sense of the act of willing, the manifestation of the will.
- Desire, wish — A wish for something, the pursuit of a goal or object.
- Purpose, intention, plan — The conscious decision or aim set by the subject.
- Rational desire for the good (Aristotle) — Will as the desire guided by reason towards the true good, in contrast to irrational appetite.
- Rational impulse (Stoics) — Will as the internal drive to action that is in accordance with the universal Reason and Nature.
- Divine will, the will of God (Theology) — The absolute and sovereign will of God, manifested in creation, providence, and salvation.
- Human will, freedom of choice — The human capacity to choose and decide, which can be free (*autexousion*) or constrained.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of *boulēsis*, though implicitly present in earlier thinkers, gains significant philosophical weight with Aristotle and undergoes substantial development in Christian theology, shaping fundamental discussions on ethics and salvation.
In Ancient Texts
The concept of *boulēsis*, central to philosophy and theology, appears in texts that highlight its complexity, from ancient Greek thought to the Christian tradition.
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΒΟΥΛΗΣΙΣ is 920, from the sum of its letter values:
920 decomposes into 900 (hundreds) + 20 (tens) + 0 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΒΟΥΛΗΣΙΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 920 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 2 | 9+2+0=11 → 1+1=2 — Dyad, the number of distinction, choice, and duality (e.g., divine and human will). |
| Letter Count | 8 | 8 letters — Octad, the number of completeness, regeneration, and perfection, which can be linked to a fully realized and free will. |
| Cumulative | 0/20/900 | Units 0 · Tens 20 · Hundreds 900 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | B-O-U-L-Ē-S-I-S | Boulēsis Orthologikē Hyper Logou Ēthikēs Sophias Hieras Sōtērias (Rational Will Beyond the Reason of Moral Wisdom and Holy Salvation). |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 0S · 5C | 3 vowels, 0 semivowels, 5 consonants. The predominance of consonants suggests the stability, decisiveness, and action associated with the act of willing and the execution of decisions. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Sun ☉ / Sagittarius ♐ | 920 mod 7 = 3 · 920 mod 12 = 8 |
Isopsephic Words (920)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon sharing the same lexarithmos (920), illuminating different facets of will and human experience, highlighting its diverse connections.
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 134 words with lexarithmos 920. 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. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
- Aristotle — Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by W. D. Ross. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1925.
- Long, A. A., Sedley, D. N. — The Hellenistic Philosophers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987.
- Gregory of Nyssa — On the Making of Man. PG 44.
- Maximus the Confessor — Chapters on Love. PG 90.
- Thunberg, L. — Microcosm and Mediator: The Theological Anthropology of Maximus the Confessor. Chicago: Open Court, 1995.
- Kittel, G., Friedrich, G. — Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964-1976.