hairein

Hairein is the transliteration of the Ancient Greek verb αἱρεῖν (hairein), whose core range of meanings includes “to take, seize, or grasp” and, in contexts of choice, “to choose” or “to elect.” The infinitive hairein appears in various Greek dialects and is a common form in classical philosophical and rhetorical writings. In English scholarly translations, hairein is typically rendered as “to take” or “to choose,” depending on the context.

Etymologically, hairein derives from the Greek verb haireō, associated with the act of taking up a course of action, selecting a form, or deciding among options. In philosophical texts, the concept of choosing a path, belief, or action is frequently expressed with hairein, underscoring deliberation and practical judgment as components of human agency. The term often appears in discussions of ethical and political decision-making, where agents are said to hairein among alternatives.

In modern scholarship, hairein is primarily encountered as a linguistic and philological tool for interpreting ancient Greek passages. It remains a key element in understanding how Greek writers describe deliberation, preference, and volition. The word itself is not commonly used as a living term in contemporary Greek, where modern equivalents such as επιλέγω (epileygo) are employed for “to choose.” Nevertheless, hairein continues to appear in editions, commentaries, and translations of classical texts.

See also: αἱρέω; Greek philosophy; choice; decision; Aristotle; Plato.