katharsis (καθαρσις)

(Language: Greek)

Short Description: purification, purgation of passions

Long Description: purification, purgation of passions; the term occurs in Aristotle’s definition of tragedy ( Poetics 1449b 24) and seems to be borrowed from medicine, religious initiations and magic.

Sources: The Golden Chain: An Anthology of Platonic and Pythagorean Philosophy, by Dr. Algis Uždavinys