179 ideas
| 1695 | Without extensive examination firm statements are hard, but studying the difficulties is profitable [Aristotle] |
| 2845 | Free and great-souled men do not keep asking "what is the use of it?" [Aristotle] |
| 6814 | Instead of prayer and charity, sinners pursue vain disputes and want their own personal scripture [Mohammed] |
| 22521 | Our method of inquiry is to examine the smallest parts that make up the whole [Aristotle] |
| 1570 | Human beings, alone of the animals, have logos [Aristotle] |
| 1574 | Reasoning distinguishes what is beneficial, and hence what is right [Aristotle] |
| 2801 | Intelligence which looks ahead is a natural master, while bodily strength is a natural slave [Aristotle] |
| 1697 | The contrary of good is bad, but the contrary of bad is either good or another evil [Aristotle] |
| 1698 | Both sides of contraries need not exist (as health without sickness, white without black) [Aristotle] |
| 22529 | Men are natural leaders (apart from the unnatural ones) [Aristotle] |
| 22571 | 'If each is small, so too are all' is in one way false, for the whole composed of all is not small [Aristotle] |
| 11034 | The differentiae of genera which are different are themselves different in kind [Aristotle] |
| 18367 | A true existence statement has its truth caused by the existence of the thing [Aristotle] |
| 11033 | Predications of predicates are predications of their subjects [Aristotle] |
| 11044 | One is prior to two, because its existence is implied by two [Aristotle] |
| 11042 | Parts of a line join at a point, so it is continuous [Aristotle] |
| 11041 | Some quantities are discrete, like number, and others continuous, like lines, time and space [Aristotle] |
| 11286 | Primary being must be more than mere indeterminate ultimate subject of predication [Politis on Aristotle] |
| 1700 | There are six kinds of change: generation, destruction, increase, diminution, alteration, change of place [Aristotle] |
| 1699 | A thing is prior to another if it implies its existence [Aristotle] |
| 18366 | Of interdependent things, the prior one causes the other's existence [Aristotle] |
| 11035 | There are ten basic categories for thinking about things [Aristotle] |
| 3311 | The categories (substance, quality, quantity, relation, action, passion, place, time) peter out inconsequentially [Benardete,JA on Aristotle] |
| 13121 | Substance,Quantity,Quality,Relation,Place,Time,Being-in-a-position,Having,Doing,Being affected [Aristotle, by Westerhoff] |
| 16116 | Aristotle derived categories as answers to basic questions about nature, size, quality, location etc. [Aristotle, by Gill,ML] |
| 21345 | Aristotle said relations are not substances, so (if they exist) they must be accidents [Aristotle, by Heil] |
| 16155 | Aristotle promoted the importance of properties and objects (rather than general and particular) [Aristotle, by Frede,M] |
| 11032 | Some things said 'of' a subject are not 'in' the subject [Aristotle] |
| 11038 | We call them secondary 'substances' because they reveal the primary substances [Aristotle] |
| 16739 | Four species of quality: states, capacities, affects, and forms [Aristotle, by Pasnau] |
| 11037 | Colour must be in an individual body, or it is not embodied [Aristotle] |
| 16154 | Aristotle gave up his earlier notion of individuals, because it relied on universals [Aristotle, by Frede,M] |
| 12351 | Genus and species are substances, because only they reveal the primary substance [Aristotle, by Wedin] |
| 1694 | Substances have no opposites, and don't come in degrees (including if the substance is a man) [Aristotle] |
| 16091 | Is primary substance just an ultimate subject, or some aspect of a complex body? [Aristotle, by Gill,ML] |
| 11280 | Primary being is 'that which lies under', or 'particular substance' [Aristotle, by Politis] |
| 11040 | A single substance can receive contrary properties [Aristotle] |
| 11036 | A 'primary' substance is in each subject, with species or genera as 'secondary' substances [Aristotle] |
| 16140 | Secondary substances do have subjects, so they are not ultimate in the ontology [Aristotle, by Frede,M] |
| 10965 | In earlier Aristotle the substances were particulars, not kinds [Aristotle, by Lawson-Tancred] |
| 8287 | Earlier Aristotle had objects as primary substances, but later he switched to substantial form [Aristotle, by Lowe] |
| 12350 | Things are called 'substances' because they are subjects for everything else [Aristotle] |
| 22525 | The whole is prior to its parts, because parts are defined by their role [Aristotle] |
| 11039 | A primary substance reveals a 'this', which is an individual unit [Aristotle] |
| 12361 | Primary substances are ontological in 'Categories', and explanatory in 'Metaphysics' [Aristotle, by Wedin] |
| 3315 | Aristotle denigrates the category of relation, but for modern absolutists self-relation is basic [Benardete,JA on Aristotle] |
| 22587 | Understanding is the aim of our nature [Aristotle] |
| 22522 | To grasp something, trace it back to its natural origins [Aristotle] |
| 22524 | The nature of each thing is its mature state [Aristotle] |
| 22528 | The nature of all animate things is to have one part which rules it [Aristotle] |
| 12349 | Only what can be said of many things is a predicable [Aristotle, by Wedin] |
| 11837 | Some predicates signify qualification of a substance, others the substance itself [Aristotle] |
| 22570 | Rhetoric now enables good speakers to become popular leaders [Aristotle] |
| 22574 | A community can lack self-control [Aristotle] |
| 2837 | Nothing contrary to nature is beautiful [Aristotle] |
| 2824 | The collective judgement of many people on art is better than that of an individual [Aristotle] |
| 2846 | Music can mould the character to be virtuous (just as gymnastics trains the body) [Aristotle] |
| 2807 | Some say slavery is unnatural and created by convention, and is therefore forced, and unjust [Aristotle] |
| 22582 | Spirit [thumos] is the capacity by which we love [Aristotle] |
| 2810 | Selfishness is wrong not because it is self-love, but because it is excessive [Aristotle] |
| 22555 | The function of good men is to confer benefits [Aristotle] |
| 6828 | You may break off a treaty if you fear treachery from your ally [Mohammed] |
| 6823 | Repay evil with good and your enemies will become friends (though this is hard) [Mohammed] |
| 22557 | Virtuous people are like the citizens of the best city [Aristotle] |
| 2841 | People become good because of nature, habit and reason [Aristotle] |
| 2829 | The law is the mean [Aristotle] |
| 22590 | Virtue is concerned with correct feelings [Aristotle] |
| 6826 | Allah rewards those who are devout, sincere, patient, humble, charitable, chaste, and who fast [Mohammed] |
| 2813 | It is quite possible to live a moderate life and yet be miserable [Aristotle] |
| 6822 | Those who avenge themselves when wronged incur no guilt [Mohammed] |
| 22553 | Justice is a virtue of communities [Aristotle] |
| 22561 | The rich are seen as noble, because they don't need to commit crimes [Aristotle] |
| 2808 | Master and slave can have friendship through common interests [Aristotle] |
| 2803 | Man is by nature a political animal [Aristotle] |
| 2820 | People want to live together, even when they don't want mutual help [Aristotle] |
| 22586 | Only humans have reason [Aristotle] |
| 22523 | The community (of villages) becomes a city when it is totally self-sufficient [Aristotle] |
| 2805 | A community must share a common view of good and justice [Aristotle] |
| 22526 | People who are anti-social or wholly self-sufficient are no part of a city [Aristotle] |
| 22535 | Friendship is the best good for cities, because it reduces factions [Aristotle] |
| 22584 | A community should all share to some extent in something like land or food [Aristotle] |
| 22532 | A city can't become entirely one, because its very nature is to be a multitude [Aristotle] |
| 22581 | The size of a city is decided by the maximum self-sufficient community that can be surveyed [Aristotle] |
| 22577 | What is the best life for everyone, and is that a communal or an individual problem? [Aristotle] |
| 22578 | The happiest city is the one that acts most nobly [Aristotle] |
| 22579 | The same four cardinal virtues which apply to individuals also apply to a city [Aristotle] |
| 2431 | Every state is an association formed for some good purpose [Aristotle] |
| 22548 | A city aims at living well [Aristotle] |
| 2832 | The state aims to consist as far as possible of those who are like and equal [Aristotle] |
| 22580 | The best constitution enables everyone to live the best life [Aristotle] |
| 22546 | A city is a community of free people, and the constitution should aim at the common advantage [Aristotle] |
| 2821 | The six constitutions are monarchy/tyranny, aristocracy/oligarchy, and polity/democracy [Aristotle] |
| 22558 | Constitutions specify distribution of offices, the authorities, and the community's aim [Aristotle] |
| 22566 | The greed of the rich is more destructive than the greed of the people [Aristotle] |
| 2835 | Any constitution can be made to last for a day or two [Aristotle] |
| 2973 | We must decide the most desirable human life before designing a constitution [Aristotle] |
| 22544 | A citizen is someone who is allowed to hold official posts in a city [Aristotle] |
| 2818 | The virtues of a good citizen are relative to a particular constitution [Aristotle] |
| 22545 | A person can be an excellent citizen without being an excellent man [Aristotle] |
| 22563 | The middle classes are neither ambitious nor anarchic, which is good [Aristotle] |
| 22541 | Kings should be selected according to character [Aristotle] |
| 22542 | People who buy public office will probably expect to profit from it [Aristotle] |
| 2819 | The only virtue special to a ruler is practical wisdom [Aristotle] |
| 22552 | The rich can claim to rule, because of land ownership, and being more trustworthy [Aristotle] |
| 22583 | The guardians should not be harsh to strangers, as no one should behave like that [Aristotle] |
| 22572 | Officers should like the constitution, be capable, and have appropriate virtues and justice [Aristotle] |
| 22543 | In large communities it is better if more people participate in the offices [Aristotle] |
| 22539 | Election of officials by the elected is dangerous, because factions can control it [Aristotle] |
| 2826 | Like water, large numbers of people are harder to corrupt than a few [Aristotle] |
| 2823 | The many may add up to something good, even if they are inferior as individuals [Aristotle] |
| 22567 | Democracy arises when people who are given equal freedom assume unconditional equality [Aristotle] |
| 22560 | Popular leaders only arise in democracies that are not in accord with the law [Aristotle] |
| 22562 | Choosing officials by lot is democratic [Aristotle] |
| 22576 | No office is permanent in a democracy [Aristotle] |
| 22533 | If the people are equal in nature, then they should all share in ruling [Aristotle] |
| 2817 | It is wrong that a worthy officer of state should seek the office [Aristotle] |
| 22549 | In many cases, the claim that the majority is superior would apply equally to wild beasts [Aristotle] |
| 22575 | Ultimate democracy is tyranny [Aristotle] |
| 22531 | We aim to understand the best possible community for free people [Aristotle] |
| 22589 | Citizens do not just own themselves, but are also parts of the city [Aristotle] |
| 22585 | Look at all of the citizens before judging a city to be happy [Aristotle] |
| 22564 | Community is based on friends, who are equal and similar, and share things [Aristotle] |
| 22565 | The best communities rely on a large and strong middle class [Aristotle] |
| 22534 | People care less about what is communal, and more about what is their own [Aristotle] |
| 22538 | Owning and sharing property communally increases disagreements [Aristotle] |
| 22536 | There could be private land and public crops, or public land and private crops, or both public [Aristotle] |
| 22530 | Both women and children should be educated, as this contributes to a city's excellence [Aristotle] |
| 21358 | Natural slaves are those naturally belonging to another, or who can manage no more than labouring [Aristotle] |
| 20092 | One principle of liberty is to take turns ruling and being ruled [Aristotle] |
| 2833 | Equality is obviously there to help people who do not get priority in the constitution [Aristotle] |
| 2834 | It is always the weak who want justice and equality, not the strong [Aristotle] |
| 2830 | We can claim an equal right to aristocratic virtue, as well as to wealth or freedom [Aristotle] |
| 22550 | It is dreadful to neither give a share nor receive a share [Aristotle] |
| 22568 | Faction is for inferiors to be equal, and equals to become superior [Aristotle] |
| 22569 | The Heraeans replaced election with lot, to thwart campaigning [Aristotle] |
| 2814 | Phaleas proposed equality of property, provided there is equality of education [Aristotle] |
| 22540 | Wealth could be quickly leveled by only the rich giving marriage dowries [Aristotle] |
| 2828 | Law is intelligence without appetite [Aristotle] |
| 22537 | Property should be owned privately, but used communally [Aristotle] |
| 2825 | The good is obviously justice, which benefits the whole community, and involves equality in some sense [Aristotle] |
| 22573 | The virtue of justice may be relative to a particular constitution [Aristotle] |
| 22527 | Justice is the order in a political community [Aristotle] |
| 22547 | Justice is equality for equals, and inequality for unequals [Aristotle] |
| 22556 | Laws that match people's habits are more effective than mere written rules [Aristotle] |
| 2806 | Man is the worst of all animals when divorced from law and justice [Aristotle] |
| 2816 | If it is easy to change the laws, that makes them weaker [Aristotle] |
| 22551 | Correct law should be in control, with rulers only deciding uncertain issues [Aristotle] |
| 22554 | It is said that we should not stick strictly to written law, as it is too vague [Aristotle] |
| 2827 | It is preferable that law should rule rather than any single citizen [Aristotle] |
| 6833 | Punish theft in men or women by cutting off their hands [Mohammed] |
| 2840 | The whole state should pay for the worship of the gods [Aristotle] |
| 2811 | A state is plural, and needs education to make it a community [Aristotle] |
| 22588 | A city has a single end, so education must focus on that, and be communal, not private [Aristotle] |
| 2847 | The aim of serious childhood play is the amusement of the complete adult [Aristotle] |
| 2842 | Men learn partly by habit, and partly by listening [Aristotle] |
| 6832 | Killing a human, except as just punishment, is like killing all mankind [Mohammed] |
| 6825 | Do not kill except for a just cause [Mohammed] |
| 2844 | Abortions should be procured before the embryo has acquired life and sensation [Aristotle] |
| 2809 | If nature makes everything for a purpose, then plants and animals must have been made for man [Aristotle] |
| 2800 | The best instruments have one purpose, not many [Aristotle] |
| 11043 | It is not possible for fire to be cold or snow black [Aristotle] |
| 1696 | Change goes from possession to loss (as in baldness), but not the other way round [Aristotle] |
| 2836 | God is not blessed and happy because of external goods, but because of his own nature [Aristotle] |
| 6811 | Allah is lord of creation, compassionate, merciful, king of judgement-day [Mohammed] |
| 6819 | True believers see that Allah made the night for rest and the day to give light [Mohammed] |
| 2802 | Men imagine gods to be of human shape, with a human lifestyle [Aristotle] |
| 6818 | Allah cannot have begotten a son, as He is self-sufficient [Mohammed] |
| 6829 | There shall be no compulsion in religion [Mohammed] |
| 6815 | Be patient with unbelievers, and leave them to the judgement of Allah [Mohammed] |
| 6834 | Unbelievers try to interpret the ambiguous parts of the Koran, simply to create dissension [Mohammed] |
| 6831 | He that kills a believer by design shall burn in Hell for ever [Mohammed] |
| 6827 | Make war on the unbelievers until Allah's religion reigns supreme [Mohammed] |
| 6824 | Do not split into sects, exulting in separate beliefs [Mohammed] |
| 6821 | I created mankind that it might worship Me [Mohammed] |
| 6817 | The Koran is certainly composed by Allah; no one could compose a chapter like it [Mohammed] |
| 6820 | The righteous shall dwell on couches in gardens, wedded to dark-eyed houris [Mohammed] |
| 6812 | Heaven will be reclining on couches, eating fruit, attended by virgins [Mohammed] |
| 6816 | The unbelievers shall drink boiling water [Mohammed] |
| 6830 | Unbelievers will have their skin repeatedly burned off in hell [Mohammed] |