Principles of Aristos

 

 

 Arete

Excellence, the idea that a person who trains diligently and over time at a skill, art or profession; eventually becomes more than a person who  can do the thing.  They become a new being.  Not a person who can do a martial art, but rather a martial artist, even when asleep. Practitioners of Aristos apply this principle to their lives, seeking both self improvement and the avoidance of activities that are inconsistent with their values.  

 

Zenia

  The  guest/host  relationship.  The idea  

that  social  relations can  be  guided  by courtesy and respect for oneself and others.  

 

Agon

Struggle,  the  idea  that  struggle  is  a  necessary  but  not  all  encompassing  activity for  reaching  Arete.    Competition  and  the  desire  for  achievement,  victory,  self  mastery through seeking trials has its place.  There is a time to stand fast and do the hard thing.  

 

Arche

Beginning,  origin  or  first  cause  and  power,  ultimate  undemonstrable  principle.  Aristos  practitioners  seek  the  mastery  of  basics,  their  reinforcement  as  a  necessary component of advancement in their art as well as in their other endeavors.  

 

Techne

The creation of art within context.   Aristos practitioners seek to develop their art  and  to  contribute  to  the  art  of  Aristos  by  the creation  of  named  forms,  which  upon approval during dan testing, become part of the art which others can then benefit from.