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Zeno on Plurality

Zeno on Plurality 223 Zeno on Plurality STEPHEN MAKIN In de Generatione et Corruptione A8 Aristotle presents the Atomic theory as due to reflection on the Eleatic view that what is is necessarily one and immovable (325a2: To Ëv it &v6t-yy.,qs ev ELVOTL xai We want to discuss some Eleatic arguments against plurality,2 which are of interest both in themselves and as precursors of Atomist thought. The arguments to be considered are from Zeno. We will have two guides in interpreting the arguments. First, they should be such that Atomist theory provides a plausible response to them; second, they should pose no threat to the Eleatic theory. Both these guides embody assumptions that might be challenged. As to the first, it might be doubted whether the Atomic theory was a reaction to Eleaticism; but for the pur- poses of this paper the first guide is the less important, and we need not go into the matter here. As to the second, it might be denied that Zeno's arguments are intended as support for the Eleatic position; if not thus intended, then seeking consistency with the Eleatic position will place an unnecessary constraint on the interpretation of the arguments. The Platonic picture http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Phronesis Brill

Zeno on Plurality

Phronesis , Volume 27 (3): 223 – Jan 1, 1982

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Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 1982 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
0031-8868
eISSN
1568-5284
DOI
10.1163/156852882X00159
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

223 Zeno on Plurality STEPHEN MAKIN In de Generatione et Corruptione A8 Aristotle presents the Atomic theory as due to reflection on the Eleatic view that what is is necessarily one and immovable (325a2: To Ëv it &v6t-yy.,qs ev ELVOTL xai We want to discuss some Eleatic arguments against plurality,2 which are of interest both in themselves and as precursors of Atomist thought. The arguments to be considered are from Zeno. We will have two guides in interpreting the arguments. First, they should be such that Atomist theory provides a plausible response to them; second, they should pose no threat to the Eleatic theory. Both these guides embody assumptions that might be challenged. As to the first, it might be doubted whether the Atomic theory was a reaction to Eleaticism; but for the pur- poses of this paper the first guide is the less important, and we need not go into the matter here. As to the second, it might be denied that Zeno's arguments are intended as support for the Eleatic position; if not thus intended, then seeking consistency with the Eleatic position will place an unnecessary constraint on the interpretation of the arguments. The Platonic picture

Journal

PhronesisBrill

Published: Jan 1, 1982

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