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Single Idea 16150

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 1. Mathematical Platonism / a. For mathematical platonism]

Full Idea

If one is, there must also necessarily be number - Necessarily - But if there is number, there would be many, and an unlimited multitude of beings. ..So if all partakes of being, each part of number would also partake of it.

Gist of Idea

One is, so numbers exist, so endless numbers exist, and each one must partake of being

Source

Plato (Parmenides [c.364 BCE], 144a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.377


A Reaction

This seems to commit to numbers having being, then to too many numbers, and hence to too much being - but without backing down and wondering whether numbers had being after all. Aristotle disagreed.

Related Idea

Idea 645 If two is part of three then numbers aren't Forms, because they would all be intermingled [Aristotle]