Political - moral will and Fate in Ancient Greek and Byzantine philosophy with emphasis on Plethon
Published:
Nov 5, 2021
Keywords:
Ethics; Will; Fate; Predeterminism; Accountability; Plethon; Determinism; Byzantine Philosophy
Abstract
This article explores the concepts of moral will and Fate (Heimarmene) within the tradition of Ancient Greek and Byzantine philosophy, with a specific focus on the thought of Georgios Gemistos Plethon. The author examines how classical and Byzantine thinkers navigated the tension between causal determinism (aitiokratia) and human freedom (eleftheria), arguing that these traditions do not view them as mutually exclusive. The study analyzes the evolution of these ideas from Homeric fatalism and Platonic idealism to Aristotelian logic and Stoic providentialism. Central to the discussion is Plethon’s synthesis in Laws, which advocates for a form of logical and theological determinism where true freedom is found in the voluntary submission of the human intellect to divine reason. Ultimately, the paper concludes that both traditions emphasize moral responsibility and ethical accountability, suggesting that while the "allotted portion" of life is fixed, human choice and action define an individual's character and inner happiness (eudaimonia).
Article Details
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Mantzanas, M. K. (2021). Political - moral will and Fate in Ancient Greek and Byzantine philosophy with emphasis on Plethon . Ηθική. Περιοδικό φιλοσοφίας, (14), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.28589
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