Single Idea 646

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

Full Idea

It is a vexed question whether, when we count and say 'one, two, three…', we are doing so by addition or by separate modules. We are, of course, doing both.

Gist of Idea

When we count, are we adding, or naming numbers?

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1082b32)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.414


A Reaction

Note that this is almost Benacerraf's famous problem about whether or not 3 is a member of 4.