54-77

• Δελλής, Ιωάννης Γ.

In this paper an attempt is made to compose Democritus' theory on languagebased on particular fragments in H. Diels - W. Kranz and Lurié edition.The article includes introduction and five chapters. In the introduction (I) weprove that Democritus kept in mind the problems of origin and function of language.In the first chapter (II), under the title "The origin of language", we analyze the fr.A5 (D-K), proving that when man lived "sporaden" (solivagns) he did not know norused language, but he uttered confused sounds. However, he began gradually toarticulate words, which as conventional "symbola" designated the various objects.The origin of language was the result of the necessity of communication for hisprotection from the beasts. So Democritus' view about the evolution of the societyand the culture is connected with his theory about the origin of language, since thesetwo proceed in a parallel way. To be able from the confused sounds to result to thearticulation of these sounds into words man had as his teacher the nature and thesounds of birds (see fr. Β154).In the first chapter we also examine the ontology of language and prove thatspeech is an effect of air atoms. This is why we support the idea that Democriteantheory for the origin of language is in accordance with his theory that everything iscomposed of "atoms" and "vacuum" (see fr. Β125 and testimonia A38, A43, A44, A49).In the second chapter (III) we analyze the fr. B26. This fragment includes thefour arguments Democritus uses to show that the function of language is "θέσει"(conventional), but not "φύσει" (natural).In the third chapter (IV) we analyze the fr. B2 (Tritogeneia: good thinking,good speaking and good acting), so that to prove that language, according toDemocritus, is a fundamental means for the communication among people and thecreation of civilization. At the same time we refute R. Bodè'us view that Democritus'view on Tritogeneia - Minerva has been affected by an Iranian doctrine.In the fourth chapter (V) we analyze fr. Β145 "speech is the shadow of action"(λόγος γαρ έργου σκιή) as far as it has been combined to Democritus' basic theorythat language is a human creation and it is conventional. Here we also examine the theories of several researchers, like Barnes, Vlastos, Guthrie, and we prove that themeaning of this fragment does not clash with Democritus' theory for language.Finally in the fifth chapter (VI) we presented the influence that Democritiantheory had impacted upon later thinkers' views in the 17th century of the problem oflanguage. We also examined Locke's views (Essay III, chs I-III) on the language inrelation to those of Democritus.

• Languages and Literature
• Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

• Γλωσσολογία
• Φιλοσοφία

Η εργασία αυτή αποτελεί συμπληρωμένη και επεξεργασμένη μορφή ομότιτλης ανακοίνωσηςτου συγγραφέα στο "Διεθνές Συμπόσιο Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Φιλοσοφίας" πού οργάνωσε στην Αθήνα(18-11-2000) η "Ελληνική Εταιρεία Φιλοσοφικών Μελετών" σε συνεργασία με το Τμήμα"Φιλοσοφίας - Παιδαγωγικής και Ψυχολογίας" της Φιλοσοφικής Σχολής του ΠανεπιστημίουΑθηνών υπό την προεδρία του Ακαδημαϊκού Καθηγητού Φιλοσοφίας Ε. Μουτσοπούλου.