Ep. 324: Plato's "Cratylus" on Language (Part One)

On Plato's mid-period dialogue from around 388 BCE. How do words relate to the things they represent? Socrates first argues that words represent things, and so doing etymology is a way of learning philosophical truths, then seemingly reverses himself. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion, including a supporter-exclusive part three to this episode coming out next week. Sponsors: Visit GreenChef.com/60pel (code 60pel) for 60% off and free shipping for the #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well. Maximize the power of your charitable giving at GiveWell.org (choose PODCAST and enter Partially Examined Life at checkout). Check out the U. of Portsmouth's Life Solved podcast.