Synkresís

Synkresís is a term found in ancient Greek writings, usually transliterated as synkresís. The word is formed from a prefix meaning “together” (syn-) and a root associated with judgment or decision (krísis), giving a sense of bringing elements into a single, unified outcome.

In classical philosophy and rhetoric, synkresís denotes the process of combining otherwise disparate elements into a coherent whole. It can refer to the integration of opposing ideas, impulses, or faculties in order to reach a single, workable conclusion, or to the coordination of form and content, argument and evidence, or different parts of a discourse to produce harmony or persuasive force. Because of its broad application, the exact sense of synkresís varies across texts and authors.

Modern scholarship treats synkresís as an auxiliary or archaising term with limited attestation. It is often translated or paraphrased as “synthesis,” “fusion,” “integration,” or “reconciliation,” depending on the contextual emphasis. Given the term’s uneven usage and the availability of more common equivalents, many contemporary discussions favor those plain translations rather than adopting synkresís as a technical label.

See also: synthesis, integration, reconciliation, fusion.