Chronos

/ˈkroʊnɒs/ noun

Definition

In Greek philosophy and psychology, chronos refers to chronological or sequential time, as opposed to kairos (qualitative or experiential time). Also the Greek god of time.

Etymology

From ancient Greek 'Χρόνος' (Chronos), meaning 'time.' In Greek mythology, Chronos was the personification of time, sometimes confused with Cronus (Kronos), the Titan father of Zeus. The philosophical distinction between chronos and kairos was developed by ancient Greek thinkers to differentiate mechanical time from meaningful time.

Kelly Says

This word reveals how the ancient Greeks had a much more nuanced understanding of time than our modern clock-obsessed culture - they distinguished between chronos (time that can be measured) and kairos (the right or opportune moment). Modern psychology has rediscovered this distinction when studying how we experience time differently in various emotional states.

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