Single Idea 12369

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / a. Units]

Full Idea

Arithmeticians posit that a unit is what is quantitatively indivisible.

Gist of Idea

A unit is what is quantitatively indivisible

Source

Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 72a22)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.4


A Reaction

Presumably indeterminate stuff like water is non-quantitatively divisible (e.g. Moses divides the Red Sea), as are general abstracta (curved shapes from rectilinear ones). Does 'quantitative' presupposes units, making the idea circular?