The One and The Many
Aristotle on The Individuation of Numbers
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9664884 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephen Gaukroger (0000-0002-8311-5633, The University of Sydney, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1982 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 312-322 |
| Publication date | 1982-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Classical Quarterly (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0009-8388 • E-ISSN: 1471-6844 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0009838800026495 |
| OpenAlex | W2094046206 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 7 |
In Book K of the Metaphysics Aristotle raises a problem about a very persistent concern of Greek philosophy, that of the relation between the one (τ⋯ ἓν) and the many (τ⋯ πλ***θ***), but in a rather peculiar context. He asks: ‘What on earth is it in virtùe of which mathematical magnitudes are one? It is reasonable that things around us [i.e. sensible things] be one in virtue of [their] ψνχ⋯ or part of their ψνχ⋯, or something else; otherwise there is not one but many, the thing is divided up. But [mathematical] objects are divisible and quantitative. What is it that makes them one and holds them together?’ (1077 a 20–4)
Context (archaeology · Epistemology · Individuation · Metaphysics · Psychoanalysis · Relation (database · Virtue · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Computer Science · History · Philosophy · Psychology
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.11 |
| Citation span | 2008 - 2023 (16) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |