Cratylus (dialogue)

Cratylus is a philosophical dialogue by Plato exploring the nature of names and language. It discusses whether words naturally reflect the true essence of things (names are meaningful) or are simply conventional symbols created by humans. The dialogue features Socrates debating with Cratylus and Hermogenes about whether names are naturally connected to their objects or whether they are arbitrarily assigned. Ultimately, it raises questions about how language relates to reality, suggesting that understanding the origins and correctness of names can reveal deeper insights into truth and knowledge.