Logos in Ancient Greek: A Philological Inquiry

In this paper, I attempt to define the specific meaning of λόγος (logos) within the Greek domain of speech, comparing this term with other ancient Greek words related to the idea of saying: φωνή (phônè), ὄνομα (onoma), λέξις (lexis), ῥῆμα (rhèma), διάλεκτος (dialektos), διάλεξις (dialexis), διάλογος (dialogos). In order to conduct this inquiry, I apply the so-called “pairs method.” This technique allows us to define more precisely the exact meaning of λόγος in ancient Greek. Through this process, λόγος emerges as a meaningful, complete, and intelligible utterance, stressing mental content over verbal form.