Single Idea 16967

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 2. Logical Connectives / d. and]

Full Idea

If you ask 'Are Coriscus and Callias at home or not at home?', whether they are both at home or not there, the number of propositions is more than one. For if the answer is true, it does not follow that the question is a single one.

Gist of Idea

'Are Coriscus and Callias at home?' sounds like a single question, but it isn't

Source

Aristotle (Sophistical Refutations [c.331 BCE], 176a08)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Sophistical Refutations, On the Cosmos etc (III)', ed/tr. Forster,E.S. /Furley,D.J. [Harvard Loeb 1955], p.95


A Reaction

[compressed] Aristotle is saying that some questions should not receive a 'yes' or 'no' answer, because they are equivocal. Arthur Prior cites this passage, on 'and'. Ordinary use of 'and' need not be the logical use of 'and'.