The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast – Ep. 324: Plato’s “Cratylus” on Language (Part Two)

Intro

In this episode of “The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast,” the hosts continue their exploration of Plato’s “Cratylus” and delve into the topic of language. They discuss Plato’s argument for the correctness of names, the connection between names and the essence of things, and the challenges of naming in a constantly changing world. Join them as they unravel the complexities of language and its relationship to philosophy.

Main Takeaways

The Objective Nature of Naming

• Plato argues that naming is not just a matter of convention, but it has an objective. If not done correctly, naming can go wrong.
• Language could be built on convention, but it should also do justice to the essence of the things themselves.
• Efficiency can compromise accuracy over time, as phrases get shortened and spellings change for convenience.

The Role of Definitions

• Socrates emphasizes the importance of good definitions and understanding fundamental words before using them in philosophy.
• A name that misdescribes something is false, and a faulty assumption can undermine an entire argument.
• Socrates rejects the idea of giving definitions up front, leading to fuzzy conceptions of the things being investigated.

Etymology and Name Connotations

• Homer’s fictional characters have names that connote certain qualities or characteristics.
• Socrates may use bogus etymologies to mock scholars and rich people in Athens.
• The section on names in the Parmenides is a conceptual joke played out systematically.

The Names of Gods and the Soul-Body Relationship

• The origin of the names of gods is unknown, and different cultures may have different names for the same god.
• Socrates investigates whether the names of soul and body are reasonably derived.
• The body is seen as the enclosure or prison of the soul, connected to the goddess Hestia.

The Transitory Nature of Language

• Words and names can be distorted over time, resulting in creative derivations.
• The ancients were concerned with the transitory nature of existence and the flux of the universe.
• Plato understands that language is an emergent phenomenon and not created by rule setters from on high.

Summary

Plato’s Exploration of Naming and Language

Plato argues that naming is not merely a matter of convention but has an objective. If not done correctly, naming can go wrong. Language should do justice to the essence of things while also being efficient. Socrates emphasizes the importance of good definitions and understanding fundamental words before delving into philosophy. Misdescribing something can lead to false conclusions. Homer’s fictional characters have names that connote certain qualities or characteristics, and Socrates may use bogus etymologies to mock scholars. The section on names in the Parmenides is a conceptual joke played out systematically. The origin of the names of gods is unknown, and the names of soul and body are investigated. Language is transitory, and words can be distorted over time. Plato understands that language is an emergent phenomenon and not created by rule setters.

Conclusion

Exploring Plato’s “Cratylus” reveals the complexities of language and its relationship to philosophy. Plato’s arguments shed light on the objective nature of naming, the importance of definitions, and the transitory nature of language itself. Understanding the essence of things and using accurate names becomes crucial in philosophical discourse. Language, like the universe, is in constant flux, and our attempts to capture its essence are both fascinating and challenging.