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Single Idea 1729

[filed under theme 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / a. Numbers ]

Full Idea

Number we perceive by the denial of continuity.

Gist of Idea

We perceive number by the denial of continuity

Source

Aristotle (De Anima [c.329 BCE], 425a19)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'De Anima (On the Soul)', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,H.C. [Penguin 1986], p.190

A Reaction

This is a key thought. A being (call it 'Parmenides') which sees all Being as One would make no distinctions of identity, and so could not count anything. Why would they want numbers?