There are five platonic arguments for the existence of Ideas in Aristotle’s treatise On Ideas (Peri ideōn). According to Metaphysics A 9 two of these arguments are “more accurate” than the others. The standard interpretation of this distinction claims that the “more accurate” arguments are valid to conclude the existence of Ideas while the “less accurate” ones are not. In this paper I call into question this interpretation, for I offer a new interpretation of one of the “less accurate” arguments, the object of thought argument, according to which this is valid to conclude the existence of Ideas.

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Le peri ideôn d'Aristote: Platon ou Xénocrate?

El argumento del objeto del pensamiento en el tratado aristotélico "Sobre las ideas"

There are five platonic arguments for the existence of Ideas in Aris- totle's treatise On Ideas (Peri ide¯). According to Metaphysics A 9 two of these arguments are "more accurate" than the others. The standard interpre- tation of this distinction claims that the "more accurate" arguments are valid to conclude the existence of Ideas while the "less accurate" ones are not. In this paper I call into question this interpretation, for I offer a new interpreta- tion of one of the "less accurate" arguments, the object of thought argument, according to which this is valid to conclude the existence of Ideas.

background

/pdf/el-argumento-del-objeto-del-pensamiento-en-el-tratado-1mq71dhyja.pdf

El argumento del objeto del pensamiento en el tratado aristotélico Sobre las Ideas (Peri ideon)

Abstract This paper offers a reconstruction of Xenocrates’ theory of indivisibles which would not commit him to the idea of ‘jerky motion’ criticized by Aristotle in Physica VI, yet would perfectly square with Plato’s Timaeus, the basis of Xenocrates’ canon. Relying on Alexander’s, Porphyry’s, and Themistius’s accounts of his theory, as well on a detailed analysis of De lineis insecabilibus, I suggest that Xenocrates’ minima, contrary to what Aristotle implies, are not to be understood as more or less stable particulars, like tiny chunks of matter, moving about or leaping in physical space from point A to point B. Yet Xenocrates’ minima do remain ‘physical’ and ‘corporeal’ in a more Platonic sense of these words, not presupposing any kind of leaping, jumping, or jerking. This explains why Xenocrates associated the sensible realm with one of the three Fates, namely Clotho.

Clotho’ Spindle: Xenocrates’ Doctrine of Indivisibles

Ancient Greek word for a type of wisdom or intelligence

Le peri ideôn d'Aristote: Platon ou Xénocrate?

Citations

El argumento del objeto del pensamiento en el tratado aristotélico "Sobre las ideas"

El argumento del objeto del pensamiento en el tratado aristotélico Sobre las Ideas (Peri ideon)

Clotho’ Spindle: Xenocrates’ Doctrine of Indivisibles