more from Aristotle

Single Idea 1670

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / b. Basic beliefs]

Full Idea

Anyone who understands anything simpliciter (as basic) must be incapable of being persuaded to change his mind.

Gist of Idea

When you understand basics, you can't be persuaded to change your mind

Source

Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 72b04)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.4


A Reaction

A typical Aristotle test which seems rather odd to us. Surely I can change my mind, and decide that something is not basic after all? But, says Aristotle, then you didn't really think it was basic.