A sticky (γλίσχρος) affaire (Plato, Crat. 435c): Platonists versus Stoics on how (not) to do etymology and allegoresis

Berg, R.M. van den

doi:doi:10.13137/2464-8760/32058

Berg, R.M. van den (2021)

A sticky (γλίσχρος) affaire (Plato, Crat. 435c): Platonists versus Stoics on how (not) to do etymology and allegoresis

This paper discusses the use of the word γλίσχρος (‘sticky’), which Platonists use to disqualify certain, mostly Stoic, etymologies. I argue that the expression derives from Plato Crat. 435c, a passage in which Socrates sets out a theory of word formation that informs Stoic etymologies. I furthermore suggest that when Neoplatonists use γλίσχρος to reject certain interpretations of Plato’s texts as misguided, this is because these interpretations are reminiscent of Stoic exegetical practices.