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Single Idea 11258

[filed under theme 5. Theory of Logic / L. Paradox / 2. Aporiai ]

Full Idea

We should first address those puzzles ('aporiai') that first arise. ..Subsequent progress depends on the resolution of the first puzzles, and one cannot solve these without knowing the difficulty, and our confusion shows this to be the case.

Gist of Idea

We must start with our puzzles, and progress by solving them, as they reveal the real difficulty

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 0995a27-)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.57

A Reaction

This stands in nice opposition to the Wittgenstein view, that confusion is largely a self-inflicted wound arising from our language, having little to do with reality. For Aristotle it is reality which is the source of our mental confusion. He's right.

The 21 ideas with the same theme [conflicts of thought that baffled and provoked the Greeks]:

11259 How can you seek knowledge of something if you don't know it? [Plato]
11258 We must start with our puzzles, and progress by solving them, as they reveal the real difficulty [Aristotle]
11262 Aporia 1: is there one science of explanation, or many? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11263 Aporia 2: Does one science investigate both ultimate and basic principles of being? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11264 Aporia 3: Does one science investigate all being, or does each kind of being have a science? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11265 Aporia 4: Does metaphysics just investigate pure being, or also the characteristics of being? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11266 Aporia 5: Do other things exist besides what is perceptible by the senses? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11267 Aporia 6: Are the basic principles of a thing the kinds to which it belongs, or its components? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11268 Aporia 7: Is a thing's kind the most general one, or the most specific one? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11269 Aporia 8: Are there general kinds, or merely particulars? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11270 Aporia 9: Is there one principle, or one kind of principle? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11271 Aporia 10: Do perishables and imperishables have the same principle? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11272 Aporia 11: Are primary being and unity distinct, or only in the things that are? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11273 Aporia 12: Do mathematical entities exist independently, or only in objects? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11274 Aporia 13: Are there kinds, as well as particulars and mathematical entities? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11275 Aporia 14: Are ultimate causes of things potentialities, or must they be actual? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11276 Aporia 15: Are the causes of things universals or particulars? [Aristotle, by Politis]
11261 Puzzles arise when reasoning seems equal on both sides [Aristotle]
19581 A problem is a solid mass, which the mind must break up [Novalis]
21838 Before we seek solutions, it is important to invent problems [Deleuze]
13931 By using aporiai as his start, Aristotle can defer to the wise, as well as to the many [Haslanger]