One of the most debated topic of Varro’s De Lingua Latina is the theory of four level of etymological knowledge, described in De Lingua Latina V 7-9. According to Varro the real knowledge lies in the last level of etymological explanation, while previous levels only offer an opinion about names. Unfortunately it seems that is impossible for human beings to reach the status of real knowledge. Considering the relationship between Varro and the platonic philosopher Antiochus of Ascalon, I believe that this passage could be read on the basis of the dispute between opinion and science developed in the philosophical controversy between III-II BC.
Opinione e scienza nella ricerca etimologica di Marco Terenzio Varrone / Amendolara, Rossella. - In: BLITYRI. - ISSN 2281-6682. - x:1(2021), pp. 47-66. [10.4454/blityri.v10i1.287]
Opinione e scienza nella ricerca etimologica di Marco Terenzio Varrone
Amendolara Rossella
2021
Abstract
One of the most debated topic of Varro’s De Lingua Latina is the theory of four level of etymological knowledge, described in De Lingua Latina V 7-9. According to Varro the real knowledge lies in the last level of etymological explanation, while previous levels only offer an opinion about names. Unfortunately it seems that is impossible for human beings to reach the status of real knowledge. Considering the relationship between Varro and the platonic philosopher Antiochus of Ascalon, I believe that this passage could be read on the basis of the dispute between opinion and science developed in the philosophical controversy between III-II BC.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
