more from Aristotle

Single Idea 16656

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 1. Nature of Relations]

Full Idea

Even though two separated things have a single interval between them, still the separation from here to there is not one and the same as the separation from there to here.

Gist of Idea

The separation from here to there is not the same as the separation from there to here

Source

Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 202b19)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Physics', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1996], p.62


A Reaction

His example is the road from Athens to Thebes. Since we tend to quantify distances between places more than Aristotle did, we are less impressed by this distinction, which seems a bit subjective. Aristotle seems to be thinking of vectors.