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Single Idea 12074

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

Full Idea

It makes no difference whether we speak of the particular or the one in number. For by the one in number we mean the particular.

Gist of Idea

The one in number just is the particular

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 0999b33)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.68


A Reaction

This is the Greek view of 'one', quite different from the Frege or Dedekind view. I prefer the Greek view, because 'one' is the place where numbers plug into the world, and the one indispensable feature of numbers is that they can count particulars.