The dialogue explores the nature of language and reality through a discussion between Socrates and Cratylus about the origins and meaning of words. They examine various theories on how words are formed and whether they accurately reflect the true nature of things. The conversation touches on the relationship between names, concepts, and reality, raising questions about the role of convention in shaping language and its connection to truth.
By Plato · First published 387 · Genre: Philosophical Dialogue, Linguistic Philosophy, Metaphysics