Single Idea 22571

[catalogued under 2. Reason / F. Fallacies / 5. Fallacy of Composition]

Full Idea

The sophistical argument 'if each is small, so too are all' is in one way true and in another false. For the whole composed of all the parts is not small, but it is composed of small parts.

Gist of Idea

'If each is small, so too are all' is in one way false, for the whole composed of all is not small

Source

Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1307b36)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Reeve,C.D.C. [Hackett 2017], p.125


A Reaction

If neurons can't think, then brains can't think.

Related Idea

Idea 31 If bodily organs have functions, presumably the whole person has one [Aristotle]