Aristotle's Concept of Attributes

Questions and Answers

What is the main point Aristotle is trying to make about mathematics?

Mathematics is a science that studies the world of nature, but only as it relates to Platonic Forms.

Mathematics is a science that studies abstract Forms independent of the world of nature.

Mathematics is a science that studies certain abstractions from natural things, without supposing that such abstractions are themselves things. (correct)

Mathematics is a science that studies the world of nature as nature.

What is the example Aristotle uses to illustrate the concept of abstracting away from matter?

A perfect square

A circle

A straight line

A snub nose (correct)

What is the primary kind of being, according to Aristotle?

Quantity

Substance (correct)

Quality

Size

What is the relationship between mathematics and the world of nature, according to Aristotle?

Mathematics studies the world of nature as nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term that picks out substances and can play only the subject role in a statement?

Substance Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the way natural science and mathematics study the world of nature?

Natural science studies the world of nature as nature, while mathematics studies it as abstract Forms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that Aristotle uses to illustrate the idea that we can consider attributes of things independently of the things themselves?

The concept of Curvedness Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of Aristotle's view of mathematics for the existence of Platonic Forms?

It implies that the existence of Platonic Forms is irrelevant to the intelligibility of mathematics. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what is the primary sense in which things exist?

As quantities, qualities, affections, or something else of this kind Signup and view all the answers

Why does Aristotle reject Plato's Forms?

Because they do not satisfy the requirement of independent existence Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between qualities and individual substances, according to Aristotle?

Qualities are attributes of individual substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument for the Forms that Aristotle wishes to avoid?

The Mathematical Argument Signup and view all the answers

How does Aristotle deal with mathematics?

By separating attributes from movement Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the way natural scientists and mathematicians study attributes?

Natural scientists study attributes as limits of natural bodies, while mathematicians do not Signup and view all the answers

What is the Epistemological Argument, according to the text?

An argument for the Forms that Aristotle examines in the following section Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Aristotle's view of reality and Plato's view of reality?

Aristotle believes in individual substances, while Plato believes in the Forms Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conceptual Separation of Attributes

Attributes of objects can be analyzed in isolation, without assuming they exist independently.
Example: A snub nose comprises form and matter; the curve can be abstracted without needing an independent "Curvedness."
Mathematics depends on abstract concepts rather than requiring separate Forms, as per Aristotle's view.

Substance and Form

Aristotle distinguishes between different uses of "being", emphasizing that the essence of a thing (its substance) is primary.
Additional characteristics, like qualities or quantities, are secondary and only exist in relation to the substance.
Individual substances possess independent existence, unlike Plato’s Forms, which Aristotle critiques.

Rejection of Platonic Forms

Plato’s Forms are perceived as common features of individual entities but lack independent existence, according to Aristotle.
Qualities like "mortal" or "flat tail" are modifications of individual substances rather than independent entities.
The existence of abstract entities beyond individual things remains an open question.

Mathematics and Quality

Plato's conclusion that Socrates speaks of ideal geometric forms (e.g., Square Itself) is challenged by Aristotle.
Mathematicians study shapes and measurements separately from their physical manifestations, treating them as abstract concepts.
Unlike natural scientists, mathematicians investigate attributes without considering their dependence on physical bodies or movements.

Critique of Plato’s Metaphysics

Aristotle critiques Plato's metaphysics, arguing that the fundamental realities must be individual and exist independently.
Common features of objects do not constitute independent Forms but are dependent on the substantial qualities of individual entities.
The dialogue sets the stage for further exploration of mathematical concepts and their relationship with reality.

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Description

Understanding the concept of attributes in Aristotle's philosophy, using the example of a snub nose to illustrate the separation of form and matter.