In applying this theory — about the fundamental significant aptitudes of the letters of the alphabet — to show the rectitude of the existing words compounded from them — Sokrates assumes that the name-giving Artists were believers in the Herakleitean theory: that is, in the perpetual process of flux, movement, and transition into contraries. He cites a large variety of names, showing by their composition that they were adapted to denote this all-pervading fact, as constituting the essence of things.[56] The names given by these theorists to that which is good, virtuous, agreeable, &c., were compounded in such a manner as to denote what facilitates, or falls in with, the law of universal movement: the names of things bad or hurtful, denote what obstructs or retards movement.[57]
[56] Plato, Kratyl. pp. 401 C — 402 B. 436 E: ὡς τοῦ παντὸς ἰόντος τε καὶ φερομένον καὶ ῥέοντος φαμὲν σημαίνειν ἡμῖν τὴν οὐσίαν τὰ ὀνόματα. Also p. 439 B.
[57] Plato, Kratyl. pp. 415-416-417, &c.
But the Name-Giver may be mistaken or incompetent — the rectitude of the name depends upon his knowledge.
Many names (pursues Sokrates), having been given by artistic lawgivers who believed in the Herakleitean theory, will possess intrinsic rectitude, if we assume that theory to be true. But how if the theory be not true? and if the name-givers were mistaken on this fundamental point? The names will then not be right. Now we must not assume the theory to be true, although the Name-givers believed it to be so. Perhaps they themselves (Sokrates intimates) having become giddy by often turning round to survey the nature of things, mistook this vertige of their own for a perpetual revolution and movement of the things which they saw, and gave names accordingly.[58] A Name-Giver who is real and artistic is rare and hard to find: there are more among them incompetent than competent: and the name originally bestowed represents only the opinion or conviction of him by whom it is bestowed.[59] Yet the names bestowed will be consistent with themselves, founded on the same theory.
[58] Plato, Kratyl. pp. 409-411 C. Αἰτιῶνται δὴ οὐ τὸ ἔνδον τὸ παρὰ σφίσι πάθος αἴτιον εἶναι ταύτης τῆς δόξης, ἀλλ’ αὐτὰ τὰ πράγματα οὕτω πεφυκέναι, &c.
| “He that is giddy thinks the world turns round,” &c. |
[59] Plato, Kratyl. p. 418 C. Οἶσθα οὖν ὅτι μόνον τοῦτο δηλοῖ τὸ ἀρχαῖον ὄνομα τὴν διάνοιαν τοῦ θεμένου; Also p. 419 A.
Changes and transpositions introduced in the name — hard to follow.
Again, the names originally bestowed differ much from those in use now. Many of them have undergone serious changes: there have been numerous omissions, additions, interpolations, and transpositions of letters, from regard to euphony or other fancies: insomuch that the primitive root becomes hardly traceable, except by great penetration and sagacity.[60] Then there are some names which have never been issued at all from the mint of the name-giver, but have either been borrowed from foreigners, or perhaps have been suggested by super-human powers.[61]