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Single Idea 15115

[filed under theme 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 2. Demonstration ]

Full Idea

In a proper demonstrative argument, the middle term must be explanatory of the conclusion, in a very specific sense: the middle term must state what properly belongs to the definition of the kind of phenomenon in question.

Clarification

The 'middle term' is the transitional term in a syllogism

Gist of Idea

In a demonstration the middle term explains, by being part of the definition

Source

Kathrin Koslicki (Essence, Necessity and Explanation [2012], 13.3.1)

Book Ref

'Contemporary Aristotelian Metaphysics', ed/tr. Tahko,Tuomas [CUP 2012], p.199

A Reaction

So 'All men are mortal, S is a man, so S is mortal'. The middle term is 'man', which gives a generic explanation for why S is mortal. Explanation as categorisation? I don't think this is the whole story of Aristotelian explanation.

The 48 ideas from Kathrin Koslicki

15110 An essence and what merely follow from it are distinct [Koslicki]
15111 In demonstration, the explanatory order must mirror the causal order of the phenomena [Koslicki]
15112 If an object exists, then its essential properties are necessary [Koslicki]
15115 In a demonstration the middle term explains, by being part of the definition [Koslicki]
15118 A successful Aristotelian 'definition' is what sciences produces after an investigation [Koslicki]
15116 Essences cause necessary features, and definitions describe those necessary features [Koslicki]
15113 Individuals are perceived, but demonstration and definition require universals [Koslicki]
15114 Discovering the Aristotelian essence of thunder will tell us why thunder occurs [Koslicki]
15117 Greek uses the same word for 'cause' and 'explanation' [Koslicki]
24065 Structured wholes are united by the teamwork needed for their capacities [Koslicki]
24066 The form explains kind, structure, unity and activity [Koslicki]
24067 Hylomorphic compounds need an individual form for transworld identity [Koslicki]
24069 Much metaphysical debate concerns what is fundamental, rather than what exists [Koslicki]
17439 There is no deep reason why we count carrots but not asparagus [Koslicki]
17435 Objects do not naturally form countable units [Koslicki]
17433 We can still count squares, even if they overlap [Koslicki]
17434 We struggle to count branches and waves because our concepts lack clear boundaries [Koslicki]
17436 We talk of snow as what stays the same, when it is a heap or drift or expanse [Koslicki]
14497 The clay is just a part of the statue (its matter); the rest consists of its form or structure [Koslicki]
14495 I aim to put the notion of structure or form back into the concepts of part, whole and object [Koslicki]
14496 Structure or form are right at the centre of modern rigorous modes of enquiry [Koslicki]
13266 Wholes in modern mereology are intended to replace sets, so they closely resemble them [Koslicki]
14498 For three-dimensionalist parthood must be a three-place relation, including times [Koslicki]
14500 Wholes are entities distinct from their parts, and have different properties [Koslicki]
14501 'Categorical' properties exist in the actual world, and 'hypothetical' properties in other worlds [Koslicki]
13264 If a whole is just a structure, a dinner party wouldn't need the guests to turn up [Koslicki]
13258 The 'aggregative' objections says mereology gets existence and location of objects wrong [Koslicki]
13281 Wholes are not just their parts; a whole is an entity distinct from the proper parts [Koslicki]
13283 The parts may be the same type as the whole, like a building made of buildings [Koslicki]
13280 Statue and clay differ in modal and temporal properties, and in constitution [Koslicki]
13279 There are at least six versions of constitution being identity [Koslicki]
13284 Should vernacular classifications ever be counted as natural kind terms? [Koslicki]
13285 Natural kinds support inductive inferences, from previous samples to the next one [Koslicki]
13287 Concepts for species are either intrinsic structure, or relations like breeding or ancestry [Koslicki]
13286 There are apparently no scientific laws concerning biological species [Koslicki]
14504 The Kripke/Putnam approach to natural kind terms seems to give them excessive stability [Koslicki]
14505 Some questions concern mathematical entities, rather than whole structures [Koslicki]
14506 'Roses are red; therefore, roses are colored' seems truth-preserving, but not valid in a system [Koslicki]
13288 Consequence is truth-preserving, either despite substitutions, or in all interpretations [Koslicki]
13289 Structures have positions, constituent types and number, and some invariable parts [Koslicki]
17311 Real definitions don't just single out a thing; they must also explain its essence [Koslicki]
17312 It is more explanatory if you show how a number is constructed from basic entities and relations [Koslicki]
17309 For Fine, essences are propositions true because of identity, so they are just real definitions [Koslicki]
17313 Modern views want essences just to individuate things across worlds and times [Koslicki]
17314 The relata of grounding are propositions or facts, but for dependence it is objects and their features [Koslicki]
17315 We need a less propositional view of essence, and so must distinguish it clearly from real definitions [Koslicki]
17316 We can abstract to a dependent entity by blocking out features of its bearer [Koslicki]
17317 A good explanation captures the real-world dependence among the phenomena [Koslicki]