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Single Idea 23404

[filed under theme 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 Ref

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.

The 15 ideas from Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)

23403 You know you were dreaming when you wake, but there might then be a greater awakening from that [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
23404 Words are for meaning, and once you have that you can forget the words [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7277 The perfect man has no self [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7285 Did Chuang Tzu dream he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dream he was Chuang Tzu? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7278 Words of wisdom are precise and clear [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7281 Don't even start, let's just stay put [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7282 Disagreement means you do not understand at all [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7284 If you beat me in argument, does that mean you are right? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7280 As all life is one, what need is there for words? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7279 If words can't be defined, they may just be the chirruping of chicks [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7283 Great courage is not violent [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7288 Go with the flow, and be one with the void of Heaven [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7287 Fish forget about each other in the pond and forget each other in the Tao [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7286 To see with true clarity, your self must be irrelevant [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7289 Do not try to do things, or to master knowledge; just be empty [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]