Single Idea 17845

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

Full Idea

Suppose that all things that are ...were rectilinear figures - they would be a number of figures, and unity the triangle.

Gist of Idea

If only rectilinear figures existed, then unity would be the triangle

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1054a03)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.291


A Reaction

This is how they program graphics for computer games, with profusions of triangles. The thought that geometry might be treated numerically is an obvious glimpse of Descartes' co-ordinate geometry.