Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language
This article reinterprets the theory of mimesis in the Cratylus, exploring how language functions as an image that imitates its objects. Contrary to prevailing studies contending that Socrates fails to reconcile naturalism and conventionalism, this article argues that Socrates proposes a form of na...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Vilnius University Press
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Problemos |
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| Online Access: | https://www.journals.vu.lt/problemos/article/view/35518 |
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| author | Liangxin Sun |
| author_facet | Liangxin Sun |
| author_sort | Liangxin Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This article reinterprets the theory of mimesis in the Cratylus, exploring how language functions as an image that imitates its objects. Contrary to prevailing studies contending that Socrates fails to reconcile naturalism and conventionalism, this article argues that Socrates proposes a form of naturalism that acknowledges the role of convention. This naturalism reveals that human language has a dual nature by demonstrating the relation between images and originals. Through instrumentalism and sound-symbolism, Socrates envisions language as an ideal instrument for imitating the Forms of things, whereas the difference between images and originals leads to inevitable falsehood in the establishment and use of ordinary language. The real purpose of the theory of mimesis is to defend the possibility of knowledge and language by opposing the sophists’ doctrine of flux.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-be73a1cf2fc0417893bda62c6989eb87 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1392-1126 2424-6158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Vilnius University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Problemos |
| spelling | doaj-art-be73a1cf2fc0417893bda62c6989eb872025-01-20T18:24:20ZengVilnius University PressProblemos1392-11262424-61582024-10-0110610.15388/Problemos.2024.106.6Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary LanguageLiangxin Sun0Zhejiang University This article reinterprets the theory of mimesis in the Cratylus, exploring how language functions as an image that imitates its objects. Contrary to prevailing studies contending that Socrates fails to reconcile naturalism and conventionalism, this article argues that Socrates proposes a form of naturalism that acknowledges the role of convention. This naturalism reveals that human language has a dual nature by demonstrating the relation between images and originals. Through instrumentalism and sound-symbolism, Socrates envisions language as an ideal instrument for imitating the Forms of things, whereas the difference between images and originals leads to inevitable falsehood in the establishment and use of ordinary language. The real purpose of the theory of mimesis is to defend the possibility of knowledge and language by opposing the sophists’ doctrine of flux. https://www.journals.vu.lt/problemos/article/view/35518Platothe theory of mimesisthe correctness of speechthe sophistCratylus |
| spellingShingle | Liangxin Sun Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language Problemos Plato the theory of mimesis the correctness of speech the sophist Cratylus |
| title | Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language |
| title_full | Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language |
| title_fullStr | Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language |
| title_short | Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language |
| title_sort | plato s theory of mimesis in the cratylus from ideal language to ordinary language |
| topic | Plato the theory of mimesis the correctness of speech the sophist Cratylus |
| url | https://www.journals.vu.lt/problemos/article/view/35518 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT liangxinsun platostheoryofmimesisinthecratylusfromideallanguagetoordinarylanguage |