Single Idea 10954

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / i. Conceptual priority]

Full Idea

Suppose parts are prior to the whole - then, since the acute angle is a part of the right angle, and a finger is part of an animal, this would mean the acute angle and the finger were prior, but received opinion says otherwise.

Gist of Idea

It is unclear whether acute angles are prior to right angles, or fingers to men

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1034b24)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.201