aretaics

A1R1E1T1A1I1C3S1

noun

The ethical theory which excludes all relations between virtue and happiness; the science of virtue; contrasted with eudaemonics.

OriginAncient Greek ἀρετή →
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Meanings

nounaretaics (uncountable)
  1. uncountableethicsThe ethical theory which excludes all relations between virtue and happiness; the science of virtue; contrasted with eudaemonics.

    it is with 'aretaics' […] that anything which can be called moral philosophy begins

    1876, John Grote, Treatise on Moral Ideals

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἀρετή“virtue”
  2. Englisharetaics

Ancient Greek ἀρετή (aretḗ, “virtue”) + -ics.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish aretologia
  • aretologiatheory which excludes all relations between virtue and happiness
Polish aretaika
  • aretaikatheory which excludes all relations between virtue and happiness
Portuguese aretologia
  • aretologiatheory which excludes all relations between virtue and happiness

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

ascariteCrataeis
Cite this entry
APA

aretaics. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aretaics

MLA

“aretaics.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aretaics. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “aretaics,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aretaics.

Source: aretaics on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.