etymological argument

Definitions

1. 1

   Explanation and analysis—often considered controversial—of one or more concepts or…

   Explanation and analysis—often considered controversial—of one or more concepts or linguistic terms by means of an exposition of their linguistic origins.

   • But it goes without saying that this etymological argument in and of itself has no significance, since a word taken from a dead language may resultantly assume a meaning independent of its etymology.
   • Nothing need be said about the etymological argument except perhaps that it was characteristic of Stoic philosophers to think such an argument could be used with force, because they believed that language is not conventional, but natural.
   • And if we look to post-Platonic texts, etymological argument for philosophical positions seems to become common practice.

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