The Concept "enemy" in Early Greek Philosophy: Features of Semantics in the "seven Sages", Heraclitus and Democritus
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background. This study examines the concept "enemy" in early Greek philosophy through a textual analysis of pre-Socratic thinkers, particularly Heraclitus and Democritus. In light of contemporary global and local challenges that prompt a reconsideration of enmity as a phenomenon, the relevance of this research has significantly increased. The focus is placed on the semantics and terminology employed by ancient Greek philosophers to describe the enemy, including terms such as ἐχθρός, πολέμιος, δυσμενής, ἔρις, and πόλεμος. Lexical analysis of these terms reveals their meaning within the context of social and ontological concepts and their influence on the development of the ancient philosophical tradition. Methods. The methodology combines philological analysis of texts, comparison of linguistic and stylistic features, and reconstruction of the cultural and historical context in which these ideas emerged. Ηermeneutic, descriptive and structural analyses uncover the multifaceted representations of the enemy. Results. The findings suggest that the perception of the enemy in early Greek philosophy transcends personal conflict, integrating social, moral, and ontological dimensions. This deeper understanding of enmity highlights its dual role as a destructive force in society and a harmonizing element through oppositions. The uniqueness of the Greek tradition lies in its ability to incorporate struggle as a necessary aspect of cosmic order and social dynamics. These conclusions are significant both for contemporary humanitarian discourse and for further exploration of the history of philosophy. Conclusions. The study demonstrates that the concept "enemy" in early Greek philosophy possesses a multifaceted nature, encompassing ontological, anthropological, and social dimensions. In Heraclitus' works, the enemy is portrayed as an ontological principle of harmony achieved through the conflict of opposites, which structures the cosmos. Conversely, Democritus emphasizes the anthropological dimension, where enmity is not only a social phenomenon but also a moral challenge that requires internal harmony and self-control. The analysis reveals that the terms denoting the enemy have significant semantic depth and reflect the interrelation between lexicon, stylistics, and philosophical concepts. These findings expand the understanding of ancient philosophy, emphasizing enmity as both a destructive and constructive element in cosmic and social order.
Author: Vitalii Turenko
Institution: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Harvard University
OpenAlex ID: W4410307233