ΤΑΥΤΟΤΗΣ
Tautotēs (identity, sameness), a foundational concept in ancient Greek philosophy, refers to the quality of being the same as oneself or as another. It forms a central axis of Platonic and Aristotelian thought, particularly in contrast to heterotēs (otherness, difference) and kinēsis (motion). Its lexarithmos (1579) suggests a complex, multidimensional entity, associated with completeness and fulfillment.
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«Tautotēs» (identity, sameness) is the property of a thing being identical to itself or to another thing. In classical Greek philosophy, this concept gains central importance, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle. Plato, in his dialogue «Sophist», explores the relationship between identity and difference, considering identity as one of the five «greatest kinds» (tauton, thateron, stasis, kinēsis, ousia).
For Plato, identity is not merely non-difference, but a positive property that allows beings to maintain their coherence and unity. In «Timaeus», the world-soul is created from the mixture of the «Same» (tauton) and the «Other» (heteron), underscoring the cosmic significance of identity as a principle of order and harmony.
Aristotle, in his «Categories» and «Metaphysics», analyzes identity on various levels: numerical identity (being one and the same), specific identity (two things belonging to the same species), and generic identity (belonging to the same genus). Identity is fundamental to understanding the essence and unchangeableness of things.
Etymology
Numerous words are derived from the root aut-, emphasizing the concept of "self" or "the same." The verb "autoumai" (to acquire for oneself), the adjective "autophyēs" (self-grown, developing on its own), and compounds such as "autokratōr" (autocrat, one who rules by himself) and "autarkeia" (self-sufficiency, the ability to suffice for oneself) illustrate the broad application of the root to denote autonomy and internal origin.
Main Meanings
- Sameness, likeness, being identical — The basic meaning, the property of something being unchangeable and recognizable as the same.
- Philosophical concept of identity — The ontological principle that allows a being to maintain its unity and be distinguished from others. Central to Plato and Aristotle.
- Numerical identity — The property of two or more things being one and the same, not merely similar. (Aristotle, «Metaphysics»).
- Consistency, stability — The maintenance of the same characteristics or behavior over time.
- Autonomy, self-sufficiency — The quality of being oneself, independent and self-reliant, connected to the root "aut-".
- Unchangeableness — The property of something remaining the same despite external changes, often in contrast to motion or alteration.
Word Family
aut- (root of autos, meaning "the same, self")
The root aut- forms the basis for an extensive family of words in Ancient Greek, all revolving around the concept of "self," "sameness," or "autonomy." From this root derive pronouns, adjectives, and compounds that denote internal origin, self-sufficiency, and identity. This root is fundamental for expressing self-awareness and individuality, as well as similarity and consistency.
Philosophical Journey
The concept of identity, though implicitly present from the Presocratics, gains clear philosophical articulation and systematic analysis during the Classical period.
In Ancient Texts
Three characteristic passages that highlight the significance of identity in ancient philosophy:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΤΑΥΤΟΤΗΣ is 1579, from the sum of its letter values:
1579 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 ΤΑΥΤΟΤΗΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 1579 | Prime number |
| Decade Numerology | 4 | 1+5+7+9 = 22 → 2+2=4. The Tetrad, a symbol of stability, foundation, and completion, suggests the unchanging nature of identity. |
| Letter Count | 8 | 8 letters. The Octad, a number of fullness, harmony, and balance, reflects the internal coherence of identity. |
| Cumulative | 9/70/1500 | Units 9 · Tens 70 · Hundreds 1500 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | T-A-U-T-O-T-E-S | To Auto Yparchei To On To Hemisy Sophias (interpretive: The Self Exists, The Being, The Half of Wisdom) |
| Grammatical Groups | 4V · 0S · 4C | 4 vowels (A, Y, O, E), 0 semivowels, 4 consonants (T, T, T, S). |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Mars ♂ / Scorpio ♏ | 1579 mod 7 = 4 · 1579 mod 12 = 7 |
Isopsephic Words (1579)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1579) as «tautotēs», revealing interesting conceptual connections:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 41 words with lexarithmos 1579. 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.
- Plato — Sophist, 254d-e.
- Plato — Timaeus, 35a.
- Aristotle — Metaphysics, Δ 9, 1018a7-9.
- Aristotle — Categories, 5a15-20.
- Kirk, G. S., Raven, J. E., Schofield, M. — The Presocratic Philosophers, Cambridge University Press, 1983.
- Long, A. A., Sedley, D. N. — The Hellenistic Philosophers, Vol. 1, Cambridge University Press, 1987.