Cicero’s Method of Translating Logikē and Dialektikē Terms into Latin

Abstract

Cicero, in his philosophical treaties, on one hand explains Greek words and notions related to philosophy, on the other hand tires to find proper counterparts of those in Latin. Relevant of this, he seeks to detect Latin equivalents of the terms λογική (logikē) and διαλεκτική (dialektikē) that are used for the name of the discipline of Logic in Greek. In this article first of all, to provide clarity to the subject, methods Cicero follows in general while translating those philosophical words into Latin, will be interpreted according to the information he gives in his treatise, De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum. Afterwards how he uses these methods as he translates those terms into Latin will be taken into consideration with the examples, selected from his works. After this inquiry, the facts that how Cicero regards logic within rhetoric and estimates Discipline of Logic in this sense will be fortified.

Keywords

• Marcus Tullius Cicero
• Felsefe
• Retorik
• Mantık
• Ars Disserendi
• Ratio Disserendi
• Λογική, Διαλεκτική