Single Idea 17861

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / c. Counting procedure]

Full Idea

A pair of men do not make some one thing in addition to themselves.

Gist of Idea

Two men do not make one thing, as well as themselves

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1082a18)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.413


A Reaction

This seems to contrast nicely with Frege's claim about whether two boots are two things or one pair.

Related Ideas

Idea 8633 There is no physical difference between two boots and one pair of boots [Frege]

Idea 15521 Given cats, a fusion of cats adds nothing further to reality [Lewis]