A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of Hermeias
This paper discusses the new linguistic treatment which is formulated for the first time in Neoplatonism, when Ammonius of Hermeias tries to compromise the linguistic views of Plato and Aristotle in his commentary on Aristotle’s <i>On Interpretation</i>. Ammonius integrates doctrines of...
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/2/172 |
| _version_ | 1797476814048722944 |
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| author | Maria Chriti |
| author_facet | Maria Chriti |
| author_sort | Maria Chriti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper discusses the new linguistic treatment which is formulated for the first time in Neoplatonism, when Ammonius of Hermeias tries to compromise the linguistic views of Plato and Aristotle in his commentary on Aristotle’s <i>On Interpretation</i>. Ammonius integrates doctrines of Plato, Aristotle and Proclus, who was his teacher in Athens. According to Ammonius, Aristotle does not contradict Plato, who believes in the ‘divine name-giver’, the one that attributed the original names to beings; on the contrary, Aristotle confirms what Socrates says in the <i>Cratylus</i>, where he reproaches both his interlocutors for their extreme views. Ammonius examines several aspects of language, capturing Aristotle’s non-adherence to such an extremity. As he wishes to exempt Aristotle from Proclus’ censure, his position does not rest on assumptions, but he goes so far as to investigate Aristotle’s own linguistic behavior. Ammonius manifestly opts for reasoning the reconciliation between Plato and Aristotle, but he is thus led to put the concept of a ‘specialist name-giver’ in Aristotle’s mouth, without clarifying that he is talking about mankind, excluding the divine, although Aristotle never talks about a ‘specialist’, but just about the need to create names, based on the agreement between the members of a linguistic community. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:09:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-44c9bacd671d4d89aa93629ce7e74392 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:09:04Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-44c9bacd671d4d89aa93629ce7e743922023-11-23T21:52:15ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-02-0113217210.3390/rel13020172A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of HermeiasMaria Chriti0School of Modern Greek Language, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceThis paper discusses the new linguistic treatment which is formulated for the first time in Neoplatonism, when Ammonius of Hermeias tries to compromise the linguistic views of Plato and Aristotle in his commentary on Aristotle’s <i>On Interpretation</i>. Ammonius integrates doctrines of Plato, Aristotle and Proclus, who was his teacher in Athens. According to Ammonius, Aristotle does not contradict Plato, who believes in the ‘divine name-giver’, the one that attributed the original names to beings; on the contrary, Aristotle confirms what Socrates says in the <i>Cratylus</i>, where he reproaches both his interlocutors for their extreme views. Ammonius examines several aspects of language, capturing Aristotle’s non-adherence to such an extremity. As he wishes to exempt Aristotle from Proclus’ censure, his position does not rest on assumptions, but he goes so far as to investigate Aristotle’s own linguistic behavior. Ammonius manifestly opts for reasoning the reconciliation between Plato and Aristotle, but he is thus led to put the concept of a ‘specialist name-giver’ in Aristotle’s mouth, without clarifying that he is talking about mankind, excluding the divine, although Aristotle never talks about a ‘specialist’, but just about the need to create names, based on the agreement between the members of a linguistic community.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/2/172NeoplatonismAmmoniusphilosophyancient linguistics |
| spellingShingle | Maria Chriti A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of Hermeias Religions Neoplatonism Ammonius philosophy ancient linguistics |
| title | A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of Hermeias |
| title_full | A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of Hermeias |
| title_fullStr | A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of Hermeias |
| title_full_unstemmed | A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of Hermeias |
| title_short | A New Direction in Neoplatonic Linguistics: Aristotle as an Adherent of a ‘Specialist Name-Giver’ by Ammonius of Hermeias |
| title_sort | new direction in neoplatonic linguistics aristotle as an adherent of a specialist name giver by ammonius of hermeias |
| topic | Neoplatonism Ammonius philosophy ancient linguistics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/2/172 |
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