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Single Idea 13763

[from 'On Interpretation' by Aristotle, in 19. Language / D. Propositions / 4. Mental Propositions ]

Full Idea

Spoken sounds are symbols of affections in the soul, ...and just as written marks are not the same for all men, neither are spoken sounds. But what these are in the first place signs of - affections of the soul - are the same for all.

Gist of Idea

Spoken sounds vary between people, but are signs of affections of soul, which are the same for all

Source

Aristotle (On Interpretation [c.330 BCE], 16a03-08)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Categories and De Interpretatione', ed/tr. Ackrill,J.R. [OUP 1963], p.43


A Reaction

Loux identifies this passage as the source of the 'conceptualist' view of propositions, which I immediately identify with. The view that these propositions are 'the same for all' is plausible for normal objects, but dubious for complex abstractions.