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Aristotle · Topics §7.2

Topics of Identity and Their Use in Refuting Definitions

Passage 76 of 94 · Greek

Summary

Discussion on the topics of identity and their utility for definitions. While destructive topics of identity are useful for disproving a definition, constructive topics are insufficient because establishing identity alone does not satisfy all requirements of a definition.

§7.2Οἱ μὲν οὖν πρὸς ταὐτὸν τόποι τοσοῦτοι λέγονται.
So then, the topics relating to identity are said to be so many.
Δῆλον δ᾿ ἐκ τῶν εἰρημένων ὅτι ἅπαντες οἱ πρὸς ταὐτὸν ἀνασκευαστικοὶ τόποι καὶ πρὸς ὅρον χρήσιμοι, καθάπερ ἔμπροσθεν εἴρηται· εἰ γὰρ μὴ ταὐτὸν δηλοῖ τό τ᾿ ὄνομα καὶ ὁ λόγος, δῆλον ὅτι οὐκ ἂν εἴη ὁρισμὸς ὁ ἀποδοθεὶς λόγος.
But it is clear from what has been said that all the destructive topics relating to identity are also useful for definition, just as was said before; for if the name and the formula do not signify the same thing, it is clear that the rendered formula would not be a definition.
Τῶν δὲ κατασκευαστικῶν τόπων οὐδεὶς χρήσιμος πρὸς ὅρον· οὐ γὰρ ἀπόχρη δεῖξαι ταὐτὸν τὸ ὑπὸ τὸν λόγον καὶ τοὔνομα πρὸς τὸ κατασκευάσαι ὅτι ὁρισμός, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ ἄλλα πάντα δεῖ ἔχεῖν τὰ παρηγγελμένα τὸν ὁρισμόν.
On the other hand, none of the constructive topics is useful for definition; for it is not enough to show that what is under the formula and the name are the same in order to establish that it is a definition, but it is also necessary for the formula to have all the other characteristics that are prescribed for a definition.

Notes

  1. §7.2τό τ᾿ ὄνομα καὶ ὁ λόγος — Refers to the definiendum (the name) and the definiens (the formula or explanation) in a definition. Aristotle frequently expresses the relationship between a term and its defining formula in this manner.
  2. §7.2τὸ ὑπὸ τὸν λόγον — The preposition ὑπό followed by the accusative signifies 'that which falls under the description of' or 'that which is denoted by'. Here, it refers to the actual entity designated by the formula.
  3. §7.2τὰ παρηγγελμένα τὸν ὁρισμόν — The verb παραγγέλλω (to prescribe, order) is used here as a passive participle, retaining τὸν ὁρισμόν in the accusative (retained accusative or accusative of respect). Collectively, it means 'the (other) requirements or characteristics prescribed for a definition'.

Cite this passage

Aristotle, Topics §7.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0086.tlg044.humanitext-grc1:7.2

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