back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 559

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 6. Hopes for Philosophy ]

Full Idea

We should not only be grateful to those in whose opinions we at all share but also to those who have gone astray, for even the latter have contributed something.

Gist of Idea

Even people who go astray in their opinions have contributed something useful

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 0993b12)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.43


A Reaction

Yes, but what have they contributed? Have they revealed lines of reasoning, or are they just a terrible warning?