ΚΑΘΑΡΤΙΚΗ ΠΡΑΞΙΣ
The term kathartikē praxis, linking the concept of catharsis with active engagement, represents a fundamental idea in philosophy, religion, and art. It is not merely a state of purity, but a dynamic process of purification, whether of the soul, body, or consciousness. Its lexarithmos (920) suggests a complex interplay of forces leading to cleansing and renewal.
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«Kathartikē praxis» is a compound term combining the adjective «kathartikos» (that which purifies, purges) with the noun «praxis» (action, activity). In classical Greek philosophy, the concept of catharsis (from «kathairō») is closely associated with the removal of impurities, whether on a physical or metaphorical level. The addition of «praxis» underscores the active and dynamic nature of this process, meaning that purification is not a passive state but the result of conscious action.
In Plato, «kathartikē praxis» can refer to the purification of the soul from passions and bodily desires through philosophy, a process essential for approaching truth and the Good. For Aristotle, catharsis in tragedy is a «praxis» achieved through pity and fear, leading to psychological relief and the purgation of the spectators' emotions. Thus, «kathartikē praxis» describes the action that brings about catharsis, cleansing, or purification.
In later philosophy, particularly Neoplatonism, and in the Christian ascetic tradition, «kathartikē praxis» acquires deeper spiritual dimensions. It refers to the practices and actions aimed at purifying the soul from sins, passions, and material attachments, in order to achieve deification or union with the Divine. It is an active spiritual struggle, a continuous effort for inner purity and clarity.
Etymology
From the root «kathar-» derive words such as «katharsis», «katharos», «katharotēs», «katharismos». From the root «prag-» derive «prattō», «praktikos», «pragmatikos», «pragmateia». The coexistence of these two roots in the term «kathartikē praxis» highlights the close relationship between the state of purity and the active engagement required to achieve it.
Main Meanings
- Philosophical purification of the soul — The process of purifying the soul from passions and material attachments through philosophy, as in Plato.
- Catharsis in tragedy — The emotional release and purgation of passions (pity and fear) experienced by the spectator of tragedy, according to Aristotle.
- Religious/ritual purification — Ritual acts aimed at cleansing from defilement or sin, in cultic contexts.
- Ascetic spiritual practice — The actions and practices (e.g., fasting, prayer, vigil) that lead to the purification of the soul from passions in the Christian tradition.
- Medical purging — The act of administering purgative medicines to expel harmful substances from the body.
- Moral self-improvement — Conscious effort for moral betterment and the elimination of vices.
- Intellectual clarity — The process of shedding delusions and false ideas to achieve clear thought and understanding.
Word Family
kathar- / prag- (roots of kathairō and prattō)
The roots «kathar-» (from kathairō) and «prag-» (from prattō) form the core of «kathartikē praxis». The root «kathar-» carries the meaning of purification, the expulsion of impurities, while the root «prag-» denotes active engagement and execution. The coexistence of these two roots in the Greek language, both belonging to its oldest stratum, allows for the formation of complex concepts describing the active process of catharsis, whether on a physical, ethical, or spiritual level. Each member of the family develops an aspect of this dual conceptual foundation.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of catharsis and cathartic action has a long and rich history in Greek thought, evolving from ancient rituals to more complex philosophical and theological interpretations.
In Ancient Texts
Three significant passages that highlight the variety of uses of the concept of catharsis and cathartic action:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΚΑΘΑΡΤΙΚΗ ΠΡΑΞΙΣ 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 ΚΑΘΑΡΤΙΚΗ ΠΡΑΞΙΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 920 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 2 | 9+2+0 = 11 → 1+1 = 2. The Dyad symbolizes duality, opposition (e.g., pure-impure), but also the balance sought through cathartic action, the union of opposites into a new state. |
| Letter Count | 16 | 15 letters (KATHARTIKĒ PRAXIS). 1+5 = 6. The Hexad is associated with harmony, balance, and creation. Cathartic action leads to a new, harmonious state of being, a recreation of the self. |
| 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 | K-A-TH-A-R-T-I-K-Ē P-R-A-X-I-S | Katharsis Alēthēs Theiou Agathou Rhythmisis Tēs Ieras Kardias Ēmōn, Pneumatikē Roē Aretēs Xenou Ikhnous Sōtērias (An interpretive approach linking cathartic action to spiritual rebirth and salvation). |
| Grammatical Groups | 5V · 10C | 5 vowels (A, A, I, Ē, I) and 10 consonants (K, TH, R, T, K, P, R, X, S) in the headword KATHARTIKĒ PRAXIS. The 1:2 ratio suggests a dynamic relationship between the spiritual (vowels) and material (consonants) dimensions, striving for purification. |
| 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 with the same lexarithmos (920) as «KATHARTIKĒ PRAXIS», but of different roots, offering interesting conceptual 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, 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
- Aristotle — Poetics. Translated by S. H. Butcher. New York: Dover Publications, 2007.
- Plato — Phaedo. Translated by H. N. Fowler. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1914.
- Plotinus — The Enneads. Translated by S. MacKenna. London: Penguin Books, 1991.
- John Climacus — The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Translated by C. Luibheid and N. Russell. New York: Paulist Press, 1982.
- Diels, H., Kranz, W. — The Fragments of the Presocratics. Translated by K. Freeman. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1948.