Homonymy; Aristotelian Definition and the Interpretations of Porphyry and Avicenna

Document Type : Scholarly Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Aristotle, at the beginning of the Categories, provides a brief definition of homonym and synonym. Aristotelian and Platonic philosophers have engaged in interpreting, criticizing, and extending these Aristotelian definitions. Porphyry offers a detailed and sympathetic interpretation of these definitions and, by expanding and generalizing this classification, discusses the types of homonyms. Avicenna, at the beginning of the Categories in al-Shifa’s Logic, classifies terms into synonym (mutawāti) and homonym (muttafiq). By comparing Avicenna’s statements with Aristotle’s definition and Porphyry’s commentary, traces of Avicenna’s influence from Aristotle and Porphyry can be identified. The term logos ousias in Aristotle’s definition has been subject to various and divergent interpretations. Porphyry considers this term to be broader than both the essential definition and descriptive definition. He even, by providing an example, includes descriptions of an individual as instances of this concept. The term qawl al-jawhar in Avicenna’s classification corresponds to logos ousias in Aristotle and Porphyry and has been a subject of debate. In Avicenna’s final analysis, qawl al-jawhar is equivalent to the definition by name or, in other words, the explanation of the name (sharh al-ism). Like Porphyry, Avicenna also recognizes multiple types of homonyms. He considers gradational terms (mushakkak) as a subset of homonym (muttafiq) terms in this classification. Furthermore, he divides gradational terms into two categories: absolute and relative. While relative gradational terms are present in Porphyry’s classification, absolute gradational terms are not mentioned by Porphyry.

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References

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Avecinnian Philosophy Journal
Volume 28, Issue 72
January 2024
Pages 25-53

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