Single Idea 1672

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 6. Coherence]

Full Idea

Some optimists think understanding arises only through demonstration, but say there could be demonstration of everything, for it is possible to demonstrate in a circle or reciprocally.

Gist of Idea

Maybe everything could be demonstrated, if demonstration can be reciprocal or circular

Source

Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 72b16)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.5


A Reaction

I'm an optimist in this sense, though what is being described would probably best be called 'large-scale coherence'. Two reciprocal arguments look bad, but a hundred look good.

Related Ideas

Idea 574 Not everything can be proven, because that would lead to an infinite regress [Aristotle]

Idea 12937 We shouldn't just accept Euclid's axioms, but try to demonstrate them [Leibniz]