Aktízein

Aktízein is a term derived from the ancient Greek word "aktis" (ἀκτίς), meaning ray, beam, or efflux. In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly within Neoplatonic thought, it refers to the process of emanation or radiation from a divine or ultimate source. This concept is central to understanding how the multiplicity of the sensible world arises from a singular, unified, and transcendent principle, often referred to as "The One" or "The Good."

The process of aktízein is typically depicted as an overflowing or outpouring of the divine nature, not as a diminishment of the source, but as a natural and necessary consequence of its superabundance. This emanation is hierarchical, with successive levels of reality flowing from the ultimate principle, each step further removed from the absolute unity of the source. The outermost levels of existence are the furthest from the divine, yet they still bear the imprint of their origin.

Thinkers like Plotinus extensively used the concept of aktízein to explain the creation and structure of the cosmos. For Plotinus, the soul, intellect, and the material world are all products of this radiant emanation from the ultimate reality. The term emphasizes a positive and generative outflow, contrasting with creation ex nihilo or a deliberate act of will. It is a continuous process, ensuring the ongoing existence and order of the universe. The understanding of aktízein is crucial for grasping the metaphysical architecture of Neoplatonism.