Analysis and Science in Aristotle

Häftad, Engelska, 1997

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Beskrivning

Presents a new interpretation of Aristotle's Analytics (the Prior and Posterior Analytics) as a unified whole, and argues that to "loose up" or solve—rather than to reduce or break up—is the principle meaning which best characterizes the Analytics.Offering a new interpretation of Aristotle's Analytics (the Prior and Posterior Analytics) as a unified whole, Patrick H. Byrne argues that a non-deductive form of ancient mathematical analysis influenced Aristotle's thinking. Reading the Analytics with this perspective in mind sheds new light on Aristotle's theories of the syllogism, demonstration and the principles of science.The book begins with a brief survey of ancient geometrical analysis and an investigation of Aristotle's uses of the Greek term, analuein. Byrne argues that "to loose up" or solve-rather than to reduce or break up-is the principal meaning which best characterizes Aristotle's Analytics. Extending this line of reasoning, he argues that for Aristotle scientific analysis commonly begins with knowledge of a "mere fact" (a conclusion) and seeks a rigorous demonstration which expresses knowledge of the "reasoned fact." Moreover, genuine analysis of a fact into a reasoned fact cannot be accomplished unless the premises of demonstrations are themselves reasoned facts. Hence the processes which yield the immediate principles (especially definitions) are next investigated through detailed examinations of key examples which Aristotle provides.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:1997-05-29
Mått:150 x 227 x 19 mm
Vikt:435 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Serie:SUNY series in Ancient Greek Philosophy
Antal sidor:303
Förlag:State University of New York Press
ISBN:9780791433225

Utforska kategorier

Filosofiska discipliner inom Filosofi och religion

Mer om författaren

Patrick H. Byrne is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Boston College.

Recensioner i media

"It approaches an 'old' topic in a fresh and promising manner. The author asks and gives reasonable answers to important questions that have been ignored by many scholars down through many centuries." — Thomas V. Upton, Gannon University

Innehållsförteckning

Preface Introduction Abbreviations 1. The Several Senses of "Analysis" in Aristotle A. A Brief EtymologyB. Analysis in PlatoC. Simple References to the AnalyticsD. DecompositionE. DisentanglementF. Analysis and the FormulaG. Analysis of Geometric FiguresH. Analysis of SoritesI. To Reduce or to Elevate (Anagein)?J. SummaryAppendix: Analysis of the Problem of Constructing a Square Equal to a Given Rectangle 2. Analysis of Syllogisms: Foundations A. Analysis and the Definition of SyllogismB. Meaning, Belong, and BeingC. The So-Called Immediate InferencesD. Figures and MoodsE. Complete Potential SyllogismsF. Completing Potential SyllogismsG. Modal SyllogismsH. Summary 3. Analysis of Problematic Syllogisms A. The ProblemataB. Analyzing Problematic Arguments: Finding Intermediate TermsC. Analyzing Problematic Arguments: Finding Obscured PremisesD. Book II and Arguments Per ImpossibileE. Analyzing Problematic Arguments: Meta-logical AnalysesF. RulesG. SummaryAppendix: Logic, Dialectic, and Analysis in the Posterior Analytics I.19-22 4. Analysis and Episteme A. Aristotle's Clarification of the Word EpistemeB. Clarification Through Epistemic QuestionsC. Analysis and Scientific DemonstrationD. The Criteria for Demonstrative PremisesE. Summary 5. Finding the Middle A. "Of the Cause" versus "Immediacy"B. Prior Knowledge B.1. The Angle in a SemicircleB.2. Corresponding Diminution (Antanairesin) C. Hitting in the MiddleD. Thickening the MiddleE. Summary 6. Hunting for Principles A. Some Reasoned Facts Are IndemonstrableB. Immediate Premises and DefiningC. The Two Senses of What-it-isD. Defining and the Preconceptual Grasp of What-it-isE. What-it-is, Images and the Qua LocutionF. The Genus for Which There Is No NameG. How Many PrinciplesH. Hunting for What-it-isI. SummaryAppendix: Can to ti esti Be Demonstrated? 7. "The Principle of Science Is Nous" A. Understanding as MovementB. The Movers and the Perfections of IntellectC. Is There Episteme of Immediate Principles? The Problem of II.19D. Aristotle's Several Senses of Episteme and NousE. Habits of the MindF. Nous as the Principle of Science 8. Aristotle's Sciences A. The Analytic Character of the Non-Demonstrative SciencesB. The Four Causes and the Analysis of NatureC. Analysis and the SoulD. Science and NecessityE. The Sophistic Aberration of Thought and the Control of MeaningF. Summary Notes Bibliography Index