Essay Database

# Background A problem for the Socratic search for definitions: how do you know when a definition is correct? You have to (at least) understand the definition, i.e., you have to understand the terms in the definiens. But how do you do that? By understanding their definitions? This leads to either circularity or an infinite regress. The problem arises if we try to give a linguistic account of understanding. The knowledge of a definition according …

…one think of" or "putting one in mind of" is not the same as, and does not entail, reminding one of. A 2:15 marathon puts me in mind of, i.e., gives me the idea of, a 1:30 marathon, but it hardly reminds me of it. I can't be reminded of what I've never experienced, but I certainly can be put in mind of such a thing. At least, Plato has no right to assume the contrary.