Prodicus on the correctness of names: the case of "térpsis", "chará" and "eýphrosýne"

• Autores: David Wolfsdorf
• Localización: Journal of hellenic studies, ISSN 0075-4269, Nº 131, 2011, págs. 131-145
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In this paper I advance an interpretation of Prodicus' conception of the correctness of names or terms. I advance this interpretation through examining a distinction between pleasures and pleasure terms that several ancient authors, most importantly the fifth-century Neoplatonist Hermias, attribute to Prodicus. Since Hermias lived many centuries after Prodicus, it is questionable whether Hermias' testimony is accurate. Consequently, I first present evidence to support the view that Hermias' testimony is accurate. Subsequently, I examine the grounds and context of Prodicus' distinction. I reject the view that Prodicus was interested in drawing distinctions between near synonyms according to standard usage. Instead, I argue that Prodicus' linguistic distinctions follow substantive distinctions between natural kinds.