The foundation of the philosophy of language

pp. 19-36

in: Albert Borgmann, The Philosophy of Language, Berlin, Springer, 1974

Abstract

Plato (427–347 B.C.) was the first to recognize and investigate language as a philosophical problem; he did so primarily in the dialogue Cratylus.¹ The problem is approached in terms of the origin of language where origin means both beginning and essence. More specifically, the question regards the correctness of names. "Name" is taken by Plato in the sense of any word that denotes an entity. We find here for the first time an explicit statement regarding the henceforth decisive triad: language (names), reality (things), and their interrelation (correctness).