Being measured : truth and falsehood in Aristotle's Metaphysics / Mark R. Wheeler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wheeler, Mark Richard, 1966- author.

Series:

SUNY series in ancient Greek philosophy.

SUNY series in ancient Greek philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Truth.

Aristotle. Metaphysics.

Aristotle.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (366 pages).

Place of Publication:

Albany, New York : SUNY Press, [2019]

Summary:

"On the basis of careful textual exegesis and philosophical analysis, and contrary to the received view, Mark R. Wheeler demonstrates that Aristotle presents and systematically explicates his definition of the essence of the truth in the Metaphysics. Aristotle states the nominal definitions of the terms "truth" and "falsehood" as part of his arguments in defense of the logical axioms. These nominal definitions express conceptions of truth and falsehood his philosophical opponents would have recognized and accepted in the context of dialectical argument. On the basis of these nominal definitions, Aristotle develops his definitions of the essences of truth and falsehood--his "real" definitions of truth and falsehood. Aristotle's methodical exposition of his essential definitions of truth and falsehood in the Metaphysics serves as a well-developed example of how his philosophical inquiry starts with nominal definitions and ends with real definitions. Wheeler also argues for the novel claim that Aristotle defines the most fundamental kind of truth in terms of accurate measurement. Aristotle's metrical conception of truth serves as the theoretical basis for specifying the truth conditions of various assertions, for identifying the sorts of beings implicated in these truth conditions, and for explaining the nature of approximate truth and falsehood. Far from offering us a minimal account of truth, Wheeler shows how Aristotle offers us a sophisticated and metrical theory of truth"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

The demands of philosophical wisdom

What "truth" and "falsehood" signify

The nominal definition of "truth" and the axioms

The being of truth

Aristotle's homonymous truth bearers

The genus of truth

The activity of truth

Truth, oneness, and measurement

The ground of truth.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781438476865

1438476868