The Name and Its Significance: An Examination of Names in Aristotle’s and Plato’s Philosophy of Language
Start Date
29-4-2022 3:20 PM
Location
Alter Hall 309
Abstract
In my thesis, I examine both Aristotelian and Platonic philosophies of language, specifically with regard to names (ὀνόματα). I draw a comparison between the two through an examination of Aristotle’s De Interpretatione and Plato’s Cratylus. I demonstrate their differences with regard to their views on the origin of names, the significance of etymologies, and the epistemological value of names. To do this, I provide interpretations of key passages from both Aristotle’s De Interpretatione and Plato’s Cratylus, in addition to other passages from each thinker’s corpus. With this analysis, I show how the differences in Plato’s and Aristotle’s understanding of names clarify the thematic differences in each thinker’s philosophies. Such differences, primarily, being Plato’s idealism as opposed to Aristotle’s more empirical approach to inquiries.
The Name and Its Significance: An Examination of Names in Aristotle’s and Plato’s Philosophy of Language
Alter Hall 309
In my thesis, I examine both Aristotelian and Platonic philosophies of language, specifically with regard to names (ὀνόματα). I draw a comparison between the two through an examination of Aristotle’s De Interpretatione and Plato’s Cratylus. I demonstrate their differences with regard to their views on the origin of names, the significance of etymologies, and the epistemological value of names. To do this, I provide interpretations of key passages from both Aristotle’s De Interpretatione and Plato’s Cratylus, in addition to other passages from each thinker’s corpus. With this analysis, I show how the differences in Plato’s and Aristotle’s understanding of names clarify the thematic differences in each thinker’s philosophies. Such differences, primarily, being Plato’s idealism as opposed to Aristotle’s more empirical approach to inquiries.
