more from Plato

Single Idea 223

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 2. Need for Universals]

Full Idea

If a person denies that the idea of each thing is always the same, he will utterly destroy the power of carrying on discussion.

Gist of Idea

If you deny that each thing always stays the same, you destroy the possibility of discussion

Source

Plato (Parmenides [c.366 BCE], 135c)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Plato IV (Cratylus,Parmenides,Hippias Maj, Min)', ed/tr. Fowler,H.N. [Harvard Loeb 1926], p.229


A Reaction

Actually a concept can still be discussed even by people who declare slightly different understandings of the concept. God, Loch Ness monster, genius, atoms… I guess the surrounding language must be stable to achieve that.