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Single Idea 17851

[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 5. Definitions of Number / b. Greek arithmetic ]

Full Idea

Number is plurality as measured by unity.

Gist of Idea

Number is plurality measured by unity

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1057a04)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.304


The 10 ideas with the same theme [basic principles of arithmetic according to the early Greeks]:

Some quantities are discrete, like number, and others continuous, like lines, time and space [Aristotle]
The idea of 'one' is the foundation of number [Aristotle]
Each many is just ones, and is measured by the one [Aristotle]
Number is plurality measured by unity [Aristotle]
Euclid's common notions or axioms are what we must have if we are to learn anything at all [Euclid, by Roochnik]
A number is not a multitude, but a unified ratio between quantities [Newton]
Arithmetic is based on definitions, and Sums of equals are equal, and Differences of equals are equal [Mill]
Numbers were once defined on the basis of 1, but neglected infinities and + [Russell]
Mathematics originally concerned the continuous (geometry) and the discrete (arithmetic) [Shapiro]
Greek mathematics is wholly sensory, where ours is wholly inferential [Macbeth]