more from Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)

Single Idea 23404

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 4. Mental Propositions]

Full Idea

Words are for meaning: when you've gotten the meaning, you can forget the words.

Gist of Idea

Words are for meaning, and once you have that you can forget the words

Source

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) (The Book of Chuang Tzu [c.329 BCE], 26), quoted by Bryan van Norden - Intro to Classical Chinese Philosophy 9.VI

Book Reference

Norden,Bryan van: 'Intro to Classical Chinese Philosophy' [Hackett 2011], p.154


A Reaction

'What exactly did this person say?' 'Don't know, but I've given you the accurate gist'. This is such an obvious phenomenon that I amazed by modern philosophers who deny propositions, or deny meaning entirely.