Humanitext Reader

Theophrastus · Fragments §69.1

Topic as Definite in Outline but Indefinite in Particulars

Passage 68 of 196 · Greek

Summary

The author quotes once again the definition of a topic (topos) by Theophrastus, which was mentioned earlier, as a principle or element that is definite in outline but indefinite regarding particulars.

§69.1Fr. 69 Διὸ καὶ ὁρίζεται ὁ Θ. τὸν τόπον, ὡς ἤδη ἡμῖν ἐν τοῖς πρώτοις εἴρηται, οὕτως· "τόπος ἐστὶν ἀρχή τις ἢ στοιχεῖον, ἀφʼ οὗ λαμβάνομεν τὰς περὶ ἕκαστον ἀρχὰς, τῇ περιγραφῇ μὲν ὡρισμένος, τοῖς δὲ καθʼ ἕκαστα ἀόριστος. "
Therefore, Theophrastus also defines the topic, as has already been stated by us in the first parts, as follows: "A topic is a certain principle or element from which we derive the principles concerning each subject, being definite in outline but indefinite in respect of particulars."

Notes

  1. 69.1ὁρίζεται — The third-person singular present middle of ὁρίζω. It functions here as an indirect middle, meaning "to define (for oneself)" or simply "to define," emphasizing the subject's active intellectual involvement.
  2. 69.1ὡρισμένος — Perfect passive participle, masculine nominative singular. Instead of agreeing with the preceding feminine noun ἀρχή or neuter noun στοιχεῖον, it agrees in gender and number with the subject of the sentence, the masculine noun τόπος. The same applies to the subsequent adjective ἀόριστος.
  3. 69.1τῇ περιγραφῇ — Dative singular of the feminine noun περιγραφή. It functions here as a dative of respect (or relation), meaning "in respect of outline" or "in definition."

Cite this passage

Theophrastus, Fragments §69.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0093.tlg010x09.humanitext-grc1:69.1

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