6533b832fe1ef96bd129abbe

RESEARCH PRODUCT

From Biology to Linguistics

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If we want to get to the bottom of the definition of ἄρθρον in the Poetics, in my opinion we have to work hard in several directions. First of all, it should be vigorously emphasized that the definitions of σύνδeσμος and ἄρθρον in the Poetics are aimed at the subsequent definition of λόγος [This is very aptly pointed out already in Bywater (1909, p. 270).]. This definition recognizes two types of λόγος: the λόγος that is unitary by itself and the λόγος that is unitary thanks to a connector (Poet. 1457 a 27-30: eἷς δέ ἐστι λόγος διχῶς, ἢ γὰρ ὁ ἐκ πλeιόνων συνδέσμῳ, οἷον ἡ Ἰλιὰς μὲν συνδέσμῳ eἷς, ὁ δὲ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τῷ ἓν σημαίνeιν. See Met. Ζ 4, 1030 a 9, b 5-10; H6, 1045 a 12-14.). Now, if the latter is based on σύνδeσμοι, on what is the former based? Do operators exist whose field of action is the unitary discourse by itself?