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

Intro

In this episode of “The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast,” the hosts continue their close reading of Plato’s “Cratylus.” They explore the question of whether there are correct names for each thing that belong to them by nature. Socrates defends the idea of natural names using etymology and a theory that syllables and sounds of words imitate reality. The dialogue challenges traditional notions of naming and delves into the nature of language and its relation to truth.

Main Takeaways

Exploring Natural Names

• Socrates defends the idea of natural names using etymology and the theory that syllables and sounds of words imitate reality.
• The correctness of a name is determined by its ability to display the nature of the thing it names.
• Naming is a tool supervised by dialecticians who understand the functions of things.
• The craftsmanship of naming can have gradations, challenging traditional notions of naming.

The Complexity of Naming

• Naming goes beyond merely assigning a name; it must accurately describe the essence of the named object.
• Parents do not have the power to give their child a name; they are essentially guessing what name suits their child.
• Names can have multiple meanings and reflect a person’s character, lineage, and function.

Falsity and Language

• Socrates and his interlocutors discuss the possibility of speaking falsely and saying things that are not true.
• Falsity occurs at the propositional level, where wrong properties are attributed to things.
• Components of sentences can be true or false if they fail to refer to something in the world.
• Non-referring names and sentences that fail to pick out a state of affairs are considered unhappy utterances.

Speaking Nothingness

• Plato’s theory suggests that speaking nothingness is actually speaking about otherness, not true nothingness.

Summary

Exploring Natural Names

Socrates defends the concept of natural names, arguing that the syllables and sounds of words imitate reality. He believes that the correctness of a name lies in its ability to accurately display the nature of the thing it names. This challenges traditional notions of naming and raises questions about the craftsmanship of naming and the role of dialecticians in supervising this process.

The Complexity of Naming

Naming is not a simple task of assigning labels; it involves accurately describing the essence of the named object. Parents, according to Socrates, do not possess the power to give their child a name; they are essentially guessing what name suits their child. Names can have multiple meanings and reflect not only a person’s lineage or function but also their character.

Falsity and Language

Socrates and his interlocutors delve into the possibility of speaking falsely and the nature of falsity itself. Falsity occurs at the propositional level, where wrong properties are attributed to things. Components of sentences can be true or false depending on their ability to refer to something in the world. Non-referring names and sentences that fail to pick out a state of affairs are considered unhappy utterances.

Speaking Nothingness

Plato’s theory challenges the notion of speaking nothingness. According to him, speaking about nothingness is actually speaking about otherness, suggesting that even in the absence of true nothingness, language can still convey meaning and refer to concepts beyond our immediate reality.

Conclusion

Plato’s “Cratylus” continues to explore the complexities of language and naming. Socrates’ defense of natural names challenges traditional perspectives and raises questions about the nature of truth and the relationship between language and reality. This episode provides valuable insights into the philosophical foundations of language and its role in shaping our understanding of the world.