back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 10958

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / a. Numbers ]

Full Idea

We should consider whether there is some other sort of substance, such as, perhaps, numbers.

Gist of Idea

Perhaps numbers are substances?

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1037a11)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.209


A Reaction

I don't think Aristotle considers numbers to be substances, but Pythagoreans seem to think that way, if they think the world is literally made of numbers.