more from this thinker     |     more from this text


Single Idea 11283

[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 1. On Reason ]

Full Idea

Aristotle distinguishes between deductive reasoning (sullogismos) and demonstration (apodeixis). All demonstration is deductive reasoning, but not all deductive reasoning is demonstration.

Gist of Idea

There is pure deductive reasoning, and explanatory demonstration reasoning

Source

report of Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], Bk I.2) by Vassilis Politis - Aristotle and the Metaphysics 5.3

Book Ref

Politis,Vasilis: 'Aristotle and the Metaphysics' [Routledge 2004], p.130


A Reaction

This sounds not far off the distinction between single-turnstile (formal proof) and double-turnstile (semantic consequence). Politis says, though, that the key point is the demonstration is explanatory.


The 34 ideas with the same theme [general role of reason in mind and living]:

Parmenides was much more cautious about accepting ideas than his predecessors [Simplicius on Parmenides]
It is foolish to quarrel with the mind's own reasoning processes [Plato]
When questions are doubtful we should concentrate not on objects but on ideas of the intellect [Plato]
There is pure deductive reasoning, and explanatory demonstration reasoning [Aristotle, by Politis]
Desired responsible actions result either from rational or from irrational desire [Aristotle]
Didactic argument starts from the principles of the subject, not from the opinions of the learner [Aristotle]
We are coerced into assent to a truth by reason's violence [Aquinas]
Good reasons must give way to better [Shakespeare]
A reason is a known truth which leads to assent to some further truth [Leibniz]
Reason is the faculty for grasping apriori necessary truths [Leibniz, by Burge]
Reason is our power of finding out true propositions [Hutcheson]
In reason things can only begin if they are voluntary [Kant]
The boundaries of reason can only be determined a priori [Kant]
If I know the earth is a sphere, and I am on it, I can work out its area from a small part [Kant]
Philosophers should not offer multiple proofs - suggesting the weakness of each of them [Kant]
The world seems rational to those who look at it rationally [Hegel]
Highest reason is aesthetic, and truth and good are subordinate to beauty [Hegel]
For clear questions posed by reason, reason can also find clear answers [Gödel]
Reason is actually passions, guided by perspicacious reflection [Solomon]
Entailment and validity are relations, but inference is a human activity [Searle]
Theory involves accepting conclusions, and so is a special case of practical reason [Searle]
The rules of reasoning are not the rules of logic [Harman]
If there is a great cost to avoiding inconsistency, we learn to reason our way around it [Harman]
Logic has little relevance to reasoning, except when logical conclusions are immediate [Harman]
It is a principle of reasoning not to clutter your mind with trivialities [Harman]
You can be rational with undetected or minor inconsistencies [Harman]
Inference is never a conscious process [Harman]
The early philosophers thought that reason has its own needs and desires [Frede,M]
Many forms of reasoning, such as extrapolation and analogy, are useful but deductively invalid [Mumford]
Traditionally, rational beliefs are those which are justified by reasons [Psillos]
Art can make reason more all-inclusive, by articulating what seemed inexpressible [Bowie]
Consistency is modal, saying propositions are consistent if they could be true together [Melia]
Rationality is threatened by fear of inconsistency, illusions of absolutes or relativism, and doubt [Fogelin]
We reach 'reflective equilibrium' when intuitions and theory completely align [Fisher]