Eroticism in its Connection with Complexity and Aesthetics

Drawing from primary Greek sources and contemporary analyses, this article posits that Eros embodies four fundamental manifestations: Anteros, Himeros, Hedylogos, and Pothos (Calame 2002, pp. 35, 106, Kerenyi 1997, pp. 73, 75, Vernant 2003, pp. 17–18). Each Erote symbolizes a distinct facet and impact within relationships, serving as mediators in our erotic experiences. Furthermore, these archetypes are reflected in the dynamics among characters in the Odyssey, providing insights into how these four types of erotic connections unfold over a lifetime. The selection of these specific Erotes and their modalities is primarily grounded in ontological considerations (Hartmann 1956, pp. 211–212), asserting that erotic agency extends from the physical body into the surrounding social milieu. The aim of this work is to gain a better understanding of our self-organization as individuals and members of a cultural tradition. Keywords: aesthetics, complexity, eroticism, self-organization