Mathematical Influences on Aristotle's Theory of Science

FAIN: FT-12670-75

Richard Duncan McKirahan
Pomona College (Claremont, CA 91711-4434)

P.I. proposes to (1) consider the requirements Aristotle places on the starting points of science and to show that what he says presupposes a relatively sophisticated analysis of deductive systems; (2) to show that the different kinds of starting points which Aristotle mentions correspond exactly with those of geometry. If progress is satisfactory on first two projects, P.I. would begin (3) to show that Aristotle is serious when he talks of sciences demonstrating the existence of some of their objects, and that this puzzling idea is also completely accounted for by certain recognized procedures in geometry.