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Single Idea 13273

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

Full Idea

A plurality is a denumerable quantity, and a magnitude is a measurable quantity. A plurality is what is potentially divisible into things that are not continuous, whereas what is said to be a magnitude is divisible into continuous things.

Gist of Idea

Pluralities divide into discontinous countables; magnitudes divide into continuous things

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1020a09)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.134


A Reaction

This illuminating distinction is basic to the Greek attitude to number, and echoes the distinction between natural and real numbers.