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Single Idea 3320

[filed under theme 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / a. Types of explanation ]

Full Idea

The standard Aristotelian doctrine of species and genus in the theory of anything whatever involves specifying what the thing is in terms of something more general.

Gist of Idea

Aristotle's standard analysis of species and genus involves specifying things in terms of something more general

Source

report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE]) by José A. Benardete - Metaphysics: the logical approach Ch.10

Book Ref

Benardete,José A.: 'Metaphysics: The Logical Approach' [OUP 1989], p.62


The 25 ideas from 'works'

There is practical wisdom (for action), and theoretical wisdom (for deep understanding) [Aristotle, by Whitcomb]
For Aristotle logos is essentially the ability to talk rationally about questions of value [Roochnik on Aristotle]
Aristotle is the supreme optimist about the ability of logos to explain nature [Roochnik on Aristotle]
Aristotelian definitions aim to give the essential properties of the thing defined [Aristotle, by Quine]
Aristotelian definition involves first stating the genus, then the differentia of the thing [Aristotle, by Urmson]
Aristotle relativises the notion of wholeness to different measures [Aristotle, by Koslicki]
For Aristotle, the subject-predicate structure of Greek reflected a substance-accident structure of reality [Aristotle, by O'Grady]
Aristotle's standard analysis of species and genus involves specifying things in terms of something more general [Aristotle, by Benardete,JA]
The notion of analytic truth is absent in Aristotle [Aristotle, by Politis]
The unmoved mover and the soul show Aristotelian form as the ultimate mereological atom [Aristotle, by Koslicki]
The 'form' is the recipe for building wholes of a particular kind [Aristotle, by Koslicki]
For Aristotle, knowledge is of causes, and is theoretical, practical or productive [Aristotle, by Code]
The notion of a priori truth is absent in Aristotle [Aristotle, by Politis]
Aristotle is a rationalist, but reason is slowly acquired through perception and experience [Aristotle, by Frede,M]
Aristotle wants to fit common intuitions, and therefore uses language as a guide [Aristotle, by Gill,ML]
Aristotelian explanations are facts, while modern explanations depend on human conceptions [Aristotle, by Politis]
Aristotle regularly says that essential properties explain other significant properties [Aristotle, by Kung]
Aristotle and the Stoics denied rationality to animals, while Platonists affirmed it [Aristotle, by Sorabji]
Aristotle never actually says that man is a rational animal [Aristotle, by Fogelin]
Aristotle said the educated were superior to the uneducated as the living are to the dead [Aristotle, by Diog. Laertius]
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without accepting it [Aristotle]
Aristotle's matter can become any other kind of matter [Aristotle, by Wiggins]
There are potential infinities (never running out), but actual infinity is incoherent [Aristotle, by Friend]
Plato says sciences are unified around Forms; Aristotle says they're unified around substance [Aristotle, by Moravcsik]
The concepts of gods arose from observing the soul, and the cosmos [Aristotle, by Sext.Empiricus]