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Apeiron of Anaximander

KOČANDRLE, R. Apeiron of Anaximander. Fordham University, Lincoln Center, New York, 2014.
Jazyk publikace: eng
Anglický název: Apeiron of Anaximander
Rok vydání: 2014
Autoři: PhDr. Radim Kočandrle Ph.D.
Abstrakt EN: One of the most obscure terms used in archaic Greek philosophy is doubtless to apeiron, usually translated as ‘the Boundless’. According to tradition, Anaximander of Miletus used it to refer to arche, that is, ‘the source’. Extant texts, however, show a marked uncertainty of classical authors regarding any sort of more detailed understanding of what to apeiron means. Starting with Aristotle, whose texts are the oldest extant source on the subject, it should be noted, that he describes Anaximander’s principle as “one” or “mixture”. One should thus admit the possibility that the noun to apeiron is not Anaximander’s term, but the original is adjective apeiros. Extant sources show that the adjective apeiros may have been used with reference to the term physis. The phrase physis apeiros may express the boundless power of nature, responsible for all creation and growth that happen in time. In terms of classical philosophy Anaximander explained creation as the process of separation of opposites. It is therefore possible that to apeiron as a ‘boundless nature’ referred to opposites and to their unity in particular. To apeiron then would not be a ‘something’ but rather a potentiality opening way to differentiation. It is activity of the boundless vital force, which intermingles with the boundless time, because creation is always based in time. The deathless and imperishable apeiron is the ultimate reference to the magnificence of manifestation of life.
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