Reason, Egoism, Capitalism—spreading
underground
Aristotle's
own account of his contribution to logic
I've edited for readability, and added emphasis for pizazz.
Standard translation at On
Sophistical Refutations, 34.
| That our programme has been adequately completed is clear. But we must notice what has happened in regard to this inquiry. For in all discoveries, the results of previous labours, handed down from others, have been advanced bit by bit by those who have taken them on, for the original discoveries generally make an advance that is small at first though much more useful than the development which later springs out of them. |
| For it may be that in everything 'the first start is the main part': and so also it is the most difficult; for in proportion as it is most potent in its influence, so it is smallest in its compass and therefore most difficult to see: whereas when this is once discovered, it is easier to add and develop the remainder. |
| This is in fact what has happened in regard to rhetorical speeches and to practically all the other arts: for those who discovered the beginnings of them advanced them in all only a little way, whereas the celebrities of to-day are the heirs of a long succession of men who have advanced them bit by bit, and so have developed them to their present form, Tisias coming next after the first founders, then Thrasymachus after Tisias, and Theodorus next to him, while several people have made their several contributions to it: and therefore it is not to be wondered at that the art has attained considerable dimensions. |
| Of this inquiry, on the other hand, it was not the case that part of the work had been thoroughly done before, while part had not. Nothing existed at all. For the training given by the paid professors of contentious arguments was like the treatment of the matter by Gorgias. For they used to hand out speeches to be learned by heart, some rhetorical, others in the form of question and answer, each side supposing that their arguments on either side generally fall among them. And therefore the teaching they gave their pupils was ready but rough. For they used to suppose that they trained people by imparting to them not the art but its products, as though any one professing that he would impart a form of knowledge to obviate any pain in the feet, were then not to teach a man the art of shoe-making or the sources whence he can acquire anything of the kind, but were to present him with several kinds of shoes of all sorts: for he has helped him to meet his need, but has not imparted an art to him. |
| On the subject of rhetoric there exists much that has been said long ago, but on the subject of reasoning we had nothing of an earlier date to speak of at all, but were kept at work for a long time in experimental researches. |
| If, then, it seems to you that our investigation is in a satisfactory condition, there must remain for all of you the task of extending us your pardon for the shortcomings of the inquiry, and for the discoveries thereof your warm thanks. |
$
| Quackgrass Home | Quackgrass Articles | Quackgrass Roots | Deep Thinkers |