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freewheel | January 15, 2009 05:06 PM | in Ancient Greece

What is the best ancient Greek word for the idea of "true calling", meaning a person's natural work?

Please provide the source for your answer as well as the unicode characters for the ancient Greek word or words. I believe Plato discusses this, so that is one possible source.

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bugsy | January 15, 2009 05:19 PM

Techne

Techne, or techné, as distinguished from episteme, is etymologically derived from the Greek word τέχνη (Ancient Greek: IPA: [tékʰnεː], Modern Greek Ell-Techni.ogg [ˈtexni] (help·info)) which is often translated as craftsmanship, craft, or art.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techne

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freewheel | January 15, 2009 05:36 PM

Thanks bugsy - I don't think this is quite it though. Techne seems to be about the knowledge of the craft; like 'technique' in English. Whereas the idea of a 'true calling' has the sense of the 'right' work for a person and is not about the output essentially. I thought I remembered this being discussed in Plato, but haven't been able to find the word.

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chazzyfen | January 15, 2009 05:42 PM

ουσ.
Your vocation is what you are called to do.

source(s):
ουσ

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rosshann | January 15, 2009 05:53 PM

The Moirae or Moerae (in Greek Μοῖραι – the "apportioners", often called the The Fates), in Greek mythology, were the white-robed personifications of destiny

source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirae

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