What do you think?
Rate this book
Proclus' Commentary on the Cratylus in Context: Ancient Theories of Language and Naming
The Cratylus contains Plato's important, yet ambiguous discussion of language. By studying the reception of this text in antiquity, this book explores the various ideas on language and its relation to philosophy in the Platonic tradition. This discussion provides the backdrop for a detailed analysis of the commentary on the dialogue by Proclus. His, often original, views on language are, it appears, the product of a critical reevaluation of those of his predecessors, whereas his interpretation of the Cratylus throws new light on that dialogue. This book will thus be of interest both to students of Plato and the Platonic tradition, as well as to those working on ancient theories of language.
239 pages, Hardcover
First published December 15, 2007
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 11, 2020
MQ: How does the main question of the Cratylus (is there a natural correctness to names, and if so, by what standard?) interact with the main question of Hellenstic phil. of language (do names originate by θέσις or φύσις?)? Does etymology have a role in philosophizing? How was the relationship between Aristotelian and Platonic semantics negotiated in the ancient commentary tradition?
MT: Focus of Cratylus isn't phil of language or linguistics but investigates relation between ὀνόματα and the rest of Platonic metaphysics.
I: Ancient positions
Aristotle: imposition
Stoics: nature, where names resemble objects (following Cra.)
Epicurus: nature, where names are natural by virute of being physical responses
Plato: names reflect name-giver's (flawed) understanding of nature
Alcinous: imposition (θέσει) BUT according to the nature of the named thing
WIP
- Proclus wants to save Platonic metaphysical language from the Aristotelian semantic theory that there only exists a language based in sense perception (thus e.g. Porphyry). Self-knowledge is the aim of the Cratylus.
- Proclus proposes a mitigated naturalism: names for things known (i.e. with episteme, scientia) are natural (what is eternal and immutable: gods, forms); names for things not truly known (i.e. with opinion/doxa) are conventional. To correctly name something is tantamount to knowing it.
-To correctly name is something humans share with the gods.
MT: Focus of Cratylus isn't phil of language or linguistics but investigates relation between ὀνόματα and the rest of Platonic metaphysics.
I: Ancient positions
Aristotle: imposition
Stoics: nature, where names resemble objects (following Cra.)
Epicurus: nature, where names are natural by virute of being physical responses
Plato: names reflect name-giver's (flawed) understanding of nature
Alcinous: imposition (θέσει) BUT according to the nature of the named thing
WIP
- Proclus wants to save Platonic metaphysical language from the Aristotelian semantic theory that there only exists a language based in sense perception (thus e.g. Porphyry). Self-knowledge is the aim of the Cratylus.
- Proclus proposes a mitigated naturalism: names for things known (i.e. with episteme, scientia) are natural (what is eternal and immutable: gods, forms); names for things not truly known (i.e. with opinion/doxa) are conventional. To correctly name something is tantamount to knowing it.
-To correctly name is something humans share with the gods.
Displaying 1 of 1 review