ΟΡΙΣΜΟΣ

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, ὁρισμός (from the verb ὁρίζω) originally means 'a marking out of boundaries, a definition of limits,' primarily in a geographical or legal context. This primary sense of 'limit' or 'restriction' is fundamental to understanding its philosophical evolution. The word denotes the act of setting an end, a boundary, separating something from its surroundings.

In philosophy, particularly from the time of Socrates and Plato, ὁρισμός acquired the technical meaning of 'the rendering of the essence of a thing,' a 'definitive description' or 'explanation.' The search for definitions was central to the Socratic method, aiming to comprehend universal concepts and avoid the confusion and relativism of the Sophists. Plato, in his dialogues, often strives to arrive at the definition of concepts such as justice, virtue, or knowledge.

Aristotle further systematized the concept of ὁρισμός, making it a cornerstone of logic and scientific knowledge. For Aristotle, a definition is a statement that declares the essence of a thing, composed of its genus and specific difference (genus et differentia specifica). It is the revelation of 'what it is' (τὸ τί ἐστι) of a thing, indispensable for demonstration and scientific understanding. Thus, ὁρισμός transformed from a simple demarcation into a tool for achieving true knowledge.

Main Meanings

1. Demarcation, setting of boundaries — The original and literal meaning, referring to the act of establishing physical or legal limits, e.g., for a field or a region.
2. Boundary, landmark — The limit itself or the marker indicating it, often used interchangeably with 'horos'.
3. Philosophical definition, definitive description — The technical meaning in classical philosophy, the rendering of a thing's essence, its 'ti esti' (what it is). A central concept in Plato and Aristotle.
4. Decision, determination, ordinance — The act of deciding or determining something, often in the sense of an official resolution or decree.
5. Distinction, separation — The action of distinguishing or separating one thing from another, by setting clear limits between them.
6. Limitation, restrictive condition — Something that restricts or places limits on a situation or an action.

Word Family

hor- (root of horos, meaning 'boundary, limit')

The root 'hor-' is fundamental to understanding the concept of boundary, demarcation, and, by extension, definition. Starting from the simple idea of a physical landmark or border (horos), this root evolved to describe the act of determining, distinguishing, and conceptually circumscribing. Each member of the word family highlights a different aspect of this basic meaning: from the action of delimiting to the quality of being defined or undefined, and from the boundary itself to the agent of definition. Its semantic evolution mirrors the development of Greek thought from the concrete to the abstract.

In Ancient Texts

Three characteristic passages highlighting the significance of definition in ancient Greek thought:

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΟΡΙΣΜΟΣ:

Sources & Bibliography

• Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, with a revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
• Plato — Sophist, Republic, Philebus. Loeb Classical Library editions.
• Aristotle — Topics, Posterior Analytics, Metaphysics. Loeb Classical Library editions.
• Jaeger, Werner — Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture. Oxford University Press, 1945.
• Barnes, Jonathan — Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2000.
• Guthrie, W. K. C. — A History of Greek Philosophy, Vol. 3: The Fifth-Century Enlightenment. Cambridge University Press, 1969.
• Bauer, Walter, Arndt, William F., Gingrich, F. Wilbur, Danker, Frederick W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. University of Chicago Press, 2000.