Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Preliminary note
- List of abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Cratylus' naturalism (383a–384c)
- 2 Hermogenes' conventionalism (384c–386e)
- 3 Naturalism defended (386e–390e)
- 4 Naturalism unfolded (390e–394e)
- 5 Naturalism illustrated: the etymologies of ‘secondary’ names (394e–421c)
- 6 Naturalism illustrated: the primary names (421c–427e)
- 7 Naturalism discussed (427e–433b)
- 8 Naturalism refuted and conventionalism defended (433b–439b)
- 9 Flux and forms (439b–440e)
- Appendix 1 The text of 437d10–438b8
- Appendix 2 Some interpolations and non-mechanical errors in W and δ
- References
- I General index
- II Index of ancient texts
- III Index of Greek expressions
- IV Index of words discussed in the Cratylus
4 - Naturalism unfolded (390e–394e)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 October 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Preliminary note
- List of abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Cratylus' naturalism (383a–384c)
- 2 Hermogenes' conventionalism (384c–386e)
- 3 Naturalism defended (386e–390e)
- 4 Naturalism unfolded (390e–394e)
- 5 Naturalism illustrated: the etymologies of ‘secondary’ names (394e–421c)
- 6 Naturalism illustrated: the primary names (421c–427e)
- 7 Naturalism discussed (427e–433b)
- 8 Naturalism refuted and conventionalism defended (433b–439b)
- 9 Flux and forms (439b–440e)
- Appendix 1 The text of 437d10–438b8
- Appendix 2 Some interpolations and non-mechanical errors in W and δ
- References
- I General index
- II Index of ancient texts
- III Index of Greek expressions
- IV Index of words discussed in the Cratylus
Summary
In the previous chapter we saw Socrates advance several arguments to the conclusion that ‘Cratylus tells the truth when he says that names belong to the objects by nature.’ So far, however, Socrates has not spelt out what it is for a name to belong by nature to its referent, any more than Cratylus did before, in his conversation with Hermogenes. In particular, Socrates has not explicitly claimed that a name's natural correctness has to do with its etymology. This crucial step is to be taken in the next pages of the dialogue.
SEARCHING FOR A THEORY (390E–392B)
It is Hermogenes, in his response to Socrates' verdict in favour of Cratylus, who says what course the conversation should now follow:
he. I don't know, Socrates, how one is to counter what you say. Yet perhaps it is not easy to get convinced so suddenly; it seems to me that I would believe you more, if you showed me what you say the natural correctness of a name consists in [ἥντινα φῂς εἶναι τὴν φύσει ὀρθότητα ὀνόματος].
(390e6–391a3)Predictably, Socrates denies that he already has a definite account ready at hand:
so. Dear Hermogenes, I'm speaking of no particular correctness. You forgot what I said a while ago, i.e. that I didn't know but would inquire together with you. And now that we are inquiring, I and you, we've reached this view we didn't have before, that the name has some sort of natural correctness and that knowing how to impose a name finely on any object whatsoever is not a matter for every man. […]
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- Information
- The Cratylus of PlatoA Commentary, pp. 146 - 180Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011