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Single Idea 2083

[from 'Theaetetus' by Plato, in 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 2. Analysis by Division ]

Full Idea

Either a syllable is not the same as its letters, in which case it cannot have the letters as parts of itself, or it is the same as its letters, in which case these basic elements are just as knowable as it is.

Gist of Idea

Either a syllable is its letters (making parts as knowable as whole) or it isn't (meaning it has no parts)

Source

Plato (Theaetetus [c.368 BCE], 205b)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Theaetetus', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [Penguin 1987], p.121