Single Idea 648

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 2. Analysis by Division]

Full Idea

Socrates began the quest for something universal in addition to the radical flux of perceptible particulars, with his definitions. But he rightly understood that universals cannot be separated from particulars.

Clarification

Plato made definitions separate, with his 'Forms'

Gist of Idea

Socrates began the quest for something universal with his definitions, but he didn't make them separate

Source

report of Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]) by Aristotle - Metaphysics 1086b

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.425