more from Plato

Single Idea 16124

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 2. Aims of Definition]

Full Idea

I don't suppose that anyone with any sense would want to hunt down the definition of 'weaving' for the sake of weaving itself.

Gist of Idea

No one wants to define 'weaving' just for the sake of weaving

Source

Plato (The Statesman [c.356 BCE], 285d)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.329


A Reaction

The point seems to be that the definition brings out the connections between weaving and other activities and objects, thus enlarging our understanding.