Of the origin of poetry

rise and decline of languages in Condillac

Abstract

In this paper we aim to show the importance of Condillac’s reflections on poetry in the context of his theory of the genesis and progress of language. At first glance, those reflections seem to be as only a few steps - merely necessarily to complete his history of that process. But, after a closer examination, they acquire another sense and importance. As they show that the metaphorical or figured use of signs is present from the very beginning of verbal communication, they allow us to think about its advantages and dangers. This last aspect has serious consequences for Condillac’s conception of the progress of mankind that we intend to indicate here.