On the origin of the term tertium comparationis. (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Lei
• Is Part Of: Language & history. Volume 60:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Tertium comparationis -- Renaissance rhetoric -- Agricola -- comparison -- comparatio -- similitudo; Linguistics -- History -- Periodicals; 410.9
• DOI: 10.1080/17597536.2017.1293373
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-7536

Abstract

Abstract: This paper argues that the term tertium comparationis, contrary to popular belief, did not originate in classical rhetoric, but first appeared at the turn of the sixteenth to the seventeenth century as a result of the rhetoric–logic interaction during the Renaissance. Specifically, two approaches were present regarding the distinction between similitudo and comparatio : one based on the quality–quantity differentiation; the other focusing on the pattern of comparison. The second approach, proposed by Agricola, was not widely accepted, but its use of the 'third thing' expression was extended by some scholars to the description of comparisons in general, and led to the occurrence of tertium comparationis, which scholars found useful in articulating the idea of some old sayings traceable to Boethius.