the Obscure

E92279

The Obscure is a famous epithet of the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Heraclitus, highlighting the enigmatic, paradoxical, and often difficult-to-interpret nature of his surviving fragments and ideas.


Statements (32)
Predicate Object
instanceOf epithet
appliedBecauseOf aphoristic style of Heraclitus
fragmentary state of Heraclitus's writings
use of paradox by Heraclitus
appliedTo Heraclitus
associatedWithPeriod pre-Socratic philosophy
category honorific nickname
philosophical epithet
connotation cryptic expression
difficult to understand
mysterious
describes difficulty of interpreting Heraclitus's fragments
enigmatic nature of Heraclitus's philosophy
paradoxical character of Heraclitus's ideas
hasSubject Heraclitus of Ephesus
indicates Heraclitus's status as a difficult author
need for interpretation and exegesis of Heraclitus
languageOfOrigin English
opposes straightforward or transparent philosophical style
refersTo pre-Socratic Greek philosopher
refersToPersonFrom Ephesus
ancient Ionia
relatedConcept Heraclitean fragments
interpretive difficulty in ancient philosophy
scope philosophical reputation of Heraclitus
timeOfUse modern era
usedBy commentators on Heraclitus
historians of philosophy
modern scholars of ancient philosophy
usedIn classical studies
history of philosophy
philosophical commentary on Heraclitus

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Heraclitus
nickname

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