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Single Idea 9077

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 3. Abstracta by Ignoring ]

Full Idea

Study things as mathematicians do. Suppose what is not separable to be separable. A man qua man is an indivisible unity, so the arithmetician supposes a man to be an indivisible unity, and investigates the accidental features of man qua indivisible.

Clarification

'qua' means 'simply as'

Gist of Idea

Mathematicians suppose inseparable aspects to be separable, and study them in isolation

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1078a19)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.400


A Reaction

This is the abstractionist view of mathematics. Qua indivisible, a man will have the same properties as a toothbrush. Aristotle clearly intends the method for scientists as well. It strikes me as common sense, but there is a lot of modern caution.