Sympatheia (συμπάθεια)

sympatheia • sim-PAH-they-ah
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Meaning

The organic unity and mutual interdependence of all things in the cosmos.

In practice: The idea that the universe is a single, interconnected organism.

Examples & notes

  • Because of sympatheia, an action in one part of the world affects the whole.
  • It grounds the Stoic belief in the "brotherhood of man".

Seen in

Chrysippus Marcus Aurelius

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