kalon

American  

[kuh-lon] / kəˈlɒn /

noun

1. (especially in ancient Greek philosophy) the ideal of beauty, especially moral goodness or nobility.

   He had done what was morally right and necessary, had taken possession of kalon, and thus fulfilled his destiny as a man.

   Achilles decides that his physical life is less important than the demands of kalon.

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Etymology

Origin of kalon

First recorded in 1745–50; from Greek kalón, neuter of kalós, “beautiful, fair”; cf. calli- ( def. )

Example Sentences

But “beautiful” in the Aristotelian sense can also refer to kalon, a Greek word that can indicate a moral beauty, a nobility of spirit.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2016

HERMOGENES: But what do you say of kalon?

From Cratylus by Jowett, Benjamin

Ask a toad what beauty is, the to kalon?

From Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary by Voltaire

HERMOGENES: Very likely you are right; but suppose that we leave these words and endeavour to see the rationale of kalon and aischron.

From Cratylus by Jowett, Benjamin

HERMOGENES: There are the words which are connected with agathon and kalon, such as sumpheron and lusiteloun, ophelimon, kerdaleon, and their opposites.

From Cratylus by Jowett, Benjamin