THE MEANING OF ACOSMIA IN ARISTOTLE, POLITICS II, 1272b1-16

Abstract

The Greek word acosmia, in opposition to cosmos, refers to disorder and bad behavior, on a physical, moral or social level. In the Politics of Aristotle II, 1272b1-16, the word acosmia is used in the description of Cretan institutions. In this particular context, conflicting interpretations have been given of the term acosmia, as cosmos is also a title of magistrate in Crete. I will examine here the philological and philosophical issues raised by this particular use of “acosmia”.

Keywords

• acosmia
• anarchia
• vacío de poder
• desorden
• cosmi