The Cratylus : : Plato's critique of naming / / by Timothy M.S. Baxter.

• Superior document: Philosophia antiqua, v. 58
• Author: Baxter, Timothy M. S., 1964-.
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, New York : : E.J. Brill,, 1992.
• Year of Publication: 1992
• Language: English
• Series: Philosophia Antiqua 58.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (viii, 203 pages)

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.

Table of Contents

Preliminary material -- INTRODUCTION -- THE THEORIES OF CRATYLUS AND HERMOGENES -- THE THEORY OF SOCRATES -- PLATO’S IDEAL THEORY: CONTRASTS AND COMPARISONS -- THE ETYMOLOGIES OF THE CRATYLUS -- ETYMOLOGIES AND ETYMOLOGISTS -- THE REFUTATION OF CRATYLUS -- CONCLUSION -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- GENERAL INDEX -- PHILOSOPHIA ANTIQUA by J. MANSFELD , D.T. RUNIA , W.J. VERDENIUS and J.C.M. van WINDEN.