Single Idea 12147

[catalogued under 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 2. Demonstration]

Full Idea

The principles of demonstrations are definitions.

Gist of Idea

The principles of demonstrations are definitions

Source

Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 90b25)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.50


A Reaction

This I take to be a key idea linking Aristotle's desire to understand the world, by using demonstrations to reach good explanations. Definitions turn out to rest on essences, so our understanding of the world rests on essences.