Single Idea 12274

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 2. Analysis by Division]

Full Idea

The examination must be carried on and begin from the primary classes and then go on step by step until further division is impossible.

Gist of Idea

Begin examination with basics, and subdivide till you can go no further

Source

Aristotle (Topics [c.331 BCE], 109b17)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics and Topica', ed/tr. Tredennick,H/Forster,ES [Harvard 1960], p.335


A Reaction

This is a good slogan for the analytic approach to thought. I take Aristotle (or possibly Socrates) to be the father of analysis, not Frege (though see Idea 9840). (He may be thinking of the tableau method of proof).

Related Idea

Idea 9840 Frege initiated linguistic philosophy, studying number through the sense of sentences [Frege, by Dummett]