Cratylus

by Plato

"Cratylus" by Plato is a dialogue written during Plato's middle period. Two men ask Socrates whether names are conventional or natural—whether language consists of arbitrary signs or words have intrinsic connections to what they signify. Through extensive etymological exploration, Socrates examines the origins of divine names and abstract concepts, testing theories about how language captures reality. The dialogue probes fundamental questions about meaning, communication, and whether studying words can lead to philosophical truth about the nature of things themselves.