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The Cratylus: Plato's Critique of Naming

The Cratylus: Plato's Critique of Naming

Hardcover

Series: Symbola Et Emblemata,, Book 58

PhilosophyInterior Design

ISBN10: 9004095977
ISBN13: 9789004095977
Publisher: Brill
Published: Aug 1 1992
Pages: 206
Weight: 1.15
Height: 0.81 Width: 6.52 Depth: 9.64
Language: English
The Cratylus has puzzled many readers with its lengthy discussion of the 'true meanings' of more than a hundred Greek names. This book aims to give a coherent interpretation of the whole dialogue, paying particular attention to these etymologies.
The book discusses the rival theories of naming offered by Cratylus, Hermogenes, and Socrates, arguing that Socrates presents a prescriptive theory, laying down what names should be, rather than describing what they are. This distinction between prescriptive and descriptive theories is elaborated and used to illuminate the etymologies themselves. After discussing possible sources for the etymologies, the author argues that the etymological section amounts to a Platonic critique of the muddled attitude of Greek poets and thinkers towards names.

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