The Loss of ᾰ̓ρετή: Why Technology Makes You Dumber and Less Capable While Making You Feel More Powerful

We have this idea that because of technology we are becoming more and more powerful. In a way, as extensions of ourselves, it does do just that. But power is not the whole story.

40. The Loss of ᾰ̓ρετή: Why Technology Makes You Dumber and Less Capable While Making You Feel More Powerful

Today we are surrounded by the amazing power of technology. It enables us to do, make and control things that would otherwise be beyond us. There is no denying this. As an extensions of ourselves, this great technical system within which we live brings us greater power by orders of magnitude. But this power comes with a price: the loss of our ᾰ̓ρετή (aretḗ). So what is this thing? It is a quality of character. If we had to boil the essence of the Greek culture as whole down to one word, it would be the pursuit of ᾰ̓ρετή. Liddell & Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon (yes, I own a copy) offers the following constellation of meanings:

goodness, excellence, especially of manly qualities, prowess, glorious deeds, wonders, miracles, moral virtue, good nature, kindness, productive, prosperity, reward of excellence, character, distinction, glory, fame, dignity, praise, good service.

We look to the Greeks as an inspiring model for high culture. The pursuit of manly virtues, art, poetry, dram…