Metaphysics (Ross, 1908)/Book 13

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Book 12

Metaphysics (Ross, 1908)
(350 B.C.)
by Aristotle, translated by W. D. Ross and J. A. Smith

Book 13

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(1908) Annotations pertaining to Greek translation not included.

Aristotle4170967Metaphysics (Ross, 1908)
— Book 13350 B.C.W. D. Ross and J. A. Smith

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BOOK XIII (M)

CHAPTER I

We have stated what is the substance of sensible things, dealing in the treatise on physics^[1] with the material sub- stratum, and later^[2] with the substance which has actual existence. Now since our inquiry is whether there is or is not besides the sensible substances any which is immovable and eternal, and, if there is, what it is, we must first consider what is said by others, so that, if there is anything which they say wrongly, we may not be liable to the same objections, while, if there is any opinion common to them and us, we shall not quarrel with ourselves on that account; for one must be content to state some points better than one's predecessors, and others no worse.

ideal 3? There is one over. But perhaps it is for this reason that they give the ideal 1 the middle place in odd numbers.¹ (2) But 30 if each of the two units consists of both the great and the small, equalized, how will the 2, which is one thing, consist of the great and the small? Or how will it differ from the unit? Again, the unit is prior to the 2; for when it is destroyed the 2 is destroyed. It must, then, be the Idea of an Idea since it is prior to an Idea, and it must have come into being before it. From what, then? Not from the indefinite dyad, 35 for its function was to double.

Again, number must be either infinite or finite; for these thinkers think of number as capable of existing separately, so that it is not possible that neither of those alternatives should be true. Clearly it cannot be infinite; for infinite number is 1084^a neither odd nor even, but the generation of numbers is always the generation either of an odd or of an even number,—when I operates in one way² on an even number, an odd number is produced, and when 2 (or an odd number) operates in the 5 other way,³ the numbers got from 1 by doubling (or the other even numbers) are produced. Again, if every Idea is an Idea of something, and the numbers are Ideas, infinite number will be an Idea of something, either of some sensible thing or of something else. Yet this is not possible in view of their hypothesis any more than it is reasonable in itself, if they conceive⁴ of the Ideas as they do.

But if number is finite, how far does it go? With regard to 10 this not only the fact but the reason should be stated. But if number goes only up to 10, as some say, firstly the Forms will soon run short; e.g. if 3 is man-in-himself, what number will be the horse-in-itself? The numbers which are Ideas of the several things go up to 10. It must, then, be one of the 15 numbers within these limits; for it is these that are substances and Ideas. Yet they will run short; for the various forms of animal will exceed them. At the same time it is clear that if in this way the 3 is the Idea of man, the other 3’s are so also (for those in the same number are similar), so that there will be

↑ Phys. i 6-9.
↑ Met. ΖΗΘ.
↑ Cf. ch. 2, 3.
↑ Cf. ch. 4, 5.
↑ Cf. ch. 6-9.

[1] Phys. i 6-9.

[2] Met. ΖΗΘ.

[3] Cf. ch. 2, 3.

[4] Cf. ch. 4, 5.

[5] Cf. ch. 6-9.

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