ΕΞΑΙΡΕΤΟΝ
The Greek term exaireton (ἐξαιρετόν), meaning 'that which is chosen out' or 'exceptional,' holds significant weight in classical philosophy, particularly in Stoic ethics where it denotes preferred indifferents. Its lexarithmos (601) hints at a numerical significance related to selection and distinction.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ἐξαιρετόν initially means 'picked out, chosen, select, excellent, special.' It derives from the verb ἐξαιρέω, meaning 'to take out, remove, choose out, exempt.' The word emphasizes the act of distinguishing or isolating an element from a group, either due to superior quality or a specific function.
In classical philosophy, ἐξαιρετόν is used to describe persons or things that stand out. Plato, for instance, refers to 'τὸ ἐξαιρετὸν τῶν φυλάκων' (Laws 760e), meaning 'the picked men of the guardians.' Aristotle employs it to denote the exceptional aspect of a virtue ('τὸ ἐξαιρετὸν τῆς ἀρετῆς,' Nicomachean Ethics 1177a27), implying a superior or distinguished quality.
The most technical use of the term is found in Stoic philosophy, where 'ἐξαιρετόν' constitutes a subcategory of 'προηγμένα' (preferred indifferents). The Stoics distinguished 'ἀγαθά' (virtues) from 'ἀδιάφορα' (all other things). Among the 'ἀδιάφορα,' some were 'προηγμένα' (e.g., health, wealth) and some 'ἀποπροηγμένα' (e.g., illness, poverty). 'ἐξαιρετόν' described those preferred indifferents that were particularly desirable or noteworthy, without, however, being intrinsically good, as virtue was considered the sole true good. Thus, ἐξαιρετόν retains the sense of selection and distinction, but with a specific ethical nuance.
Etymology
The root αἱρ- / ἑλ- is remarkably productive in Ancient Greek, generating a large family of words related to the act of taking, choosing, dividing, or capturing. Various prefixes (such as ἐκ-, διά-, ὑπό-, κατά-, πρό-) and suffixes (e.g., -σις, -τος, -μα) differentiate the meaning while retaining the core of the root. From the simple act of taking, this root gives rise to complex concepts such as moral choice or the division of a whole.
Main Meanings
- Chosen, Selected — That which has been chosen or separated from a group due to a particular quality. Plato, 'τὸ ἐξαιρετὸν τῶν φυλάκων'.
- Exceptional, Outstanding — That which excels in quality or characteristics, being unusual or noteworthy. Aristotle, 'τὸ ἐξαιρετὸν τῆς ἀρετῆς'.
- Privileged, Special — That which enjoys special treatment or status, or is designated for a specific purpose.
- Stoic Term: Preferred Indifferent — In Stoic ethics, that which is desirable (προηγμένον) but does not constitute a good (virtue). Diogenes Laertius, 'τῶν προηγμένων τὰ μὲν ἐξαιρετά'.
- That which is Removed, Exempted — The literal meaning of removal or withdrawal from a group, often in a legal or administrative sense.
- Exception, Exemption — In legal or administrative texts, a case that is excluded from a general rule or obligation.
Word Family
αἱρ- / ἑλ- (root of the verb αἱρέω, meaning 'to take, to choose')
The root αἱρ- (with its aorist stem ἑλ-) constitutes a fundamental core in the Ancient Greek language, expressing the concept of 'taking,' 'seizing,' or 'choosing.' From this root, a rich family of words emerges, where the addition of prefixes (such as ἐκ-, διά-, ὑπό-, κατά-, πρό-) and suffixes (-σις, -τος, -μα) differentiates and enriches the meaning, creating terms that cover a wide range of concepts, from simple physical actions to complex philosophical and ethical notions. Each member of the family retains the core of selection or taking, but specializes it according to its morphological context.
Philosophical Journey
The meaning of ἐξαιρετόν evolves from the initial sense of selection into a technical philosophical term, reflecting the intellectual ferment of antiquity.
In Ancient Texts
Three significant passages highlight the use of ἐξαιρετόν in different philosophical contexts:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΕΞΑΙΡΕΤΟΝ is 601, from the sum of its letter values:
601 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 ΕΞΑΙΡΕΤΟΝ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 601 | Prime number |
| Decade Numerology | 7 | 6+0+1=7 — The Heptad, symbolizing perfection, spirituality, and completeness. |
| Letter Count | 9 | 9 letters — The Ennead, representing completion, divine order, and wisdom. |
| Cumulative | 1/0/600 | Units 1 · Tens 0 · Hundreds 600 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | E-X-A-I-R-E-T-O-N | Exceptional, Xylographic, Authentic, Illustrious, Remarkable, Excellent, True, Outstanding, Notable. |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 0S · 5C | 4 vowels (E, A, I, E, O), 0 semivowels, 5 consonants (X, R, T, N). |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Saturn ♄ / Taurus ♉ | 601 mod 7 = 6 · 601 mod 12 = 1 |
Isopsephic Words (601)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (601) but different roots, offering a glimpse into the numerical harmony of the Greek language:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 83 words with lexarithmos 601. 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, with a Revised Supplement. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1996.
- Plato — Laws, Book VII, 760e.
- Aristotle — Nicomachean Ethics, Book X, 1177a27.
- Diogenes Laertius — Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book VII, 105.
- Long, A. A., Sedley, D. N. — The Hellenistic Philosophers, Vol. 1: Translations of the Principal Sources with Philosophical Commentary. Cambridge University Press, 1987.
- Chantraine, P. — Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue grecque: histoire des mots. Klincksieck, Paris, 1968-1980.