Single Idea 18810

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 2. Understanding]

Full Idea

The ingredient of necessity [in Aristotle's account of consequence] is required by his demand that proof should produce 'understanding' [episteme], coupled with his claim that understanding something involves seeing that it cannot be otherwise.

Gist of Idea

Aristotle's proofs give understanding, so it can't be otherwise, so consequence is necessary

Source

report of Timothy Smiley (Conceptions of Consequence [1998], p.599) by Ian Rumfitt - The Boundary Stones of Thought 3.2

Book Reference

Rumfitt,Ian: 'The Boundary Stones of Thought' [OUP 2015], p.70


A Reaction

An intriguing reverse of the normal order. Not 'necessity in logic delivers understanding', but 'reaching understanding shows the logic was necessary'.