Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Science and Method', 'The Mind in Nature' and 'De Anima'

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2 ideas

6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 2. Geometry

10245	One geometry cannot be more true than another [Poincaré]
	Full Idea: One geometry cannot be more true than another; it can only be more convenient.
	From: Henri Poincaré (Science and Method [1908], p.65), quoted by Stewart Shapiro - Philosophy of Mathematics
	A reaction: This is the culminating view after new geometries were developed by tinkering with Euclid's parallels postulate.

6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / a. Numbers

1729	We perceive number by the denial of continuity [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: Number we perceive by the denial of continuity.
	From: Aristotle (De Anima [c.329 BCE], 425a19)
	A reaction: This is a key thought. A being (call it 'Parmenides') which sees all Being as One would make no distinctions of identity, and so could not count anything. Why would they want numbers?