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Single Idea 1667

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

Full Idea

Demonstrative understanding must proceed from items which are true and primitive and immediate and more familiar and prior to and explanatory of the conclusions.

Clarification

'Premises' are statements assumed to be true at the beginning of an argument

Gist of Idea

Premises must be true, primitive and immediate, and prior to and explanatory of conclusions

Source

Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 71b22)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.2