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Single Idea 17859

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / a. Units ]

Full Idea

The original holder of the theory claimed ...that units came about when the unequals were equalised.

Gist of Idea

Units came about when the unequals were equalised

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1081a24)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.411


A Reaction

Presumably you could count the things that were already equal. You can count days and count raindrops. The genius is to see that you can add the days to the raindrops, by treating them as equal, in respect of number.