Journal article
Aristotle’s Expansion of the Taxonomy of Fallacy in De Sophisticis Elenchis 8
History of Philosophy and Logical Analysis, Vol.15(1), pp.200-237
04/05/2012
DOI: 10.30965/26664275-01501009
Abstract
In the eighth chapter of De Sophisticis Elenchis, Aristotle introduces a mode of sophistical refutation that constitutes an addition to the taxonomy of the earlier chapters of the treatise. The new mode is pseudo-scientific refutation, or “the [syllogism or refutation] which though real, [merely] appears appropriate to the subject matter” (τòν ὂντα μέν φαινóμενoν δέ ỏιϰειoν ιoῦ πράγμαιoς, 169b22–3). Against the grain of its most commonly accepted reading, I argue that Aristotle is not concerned in SE 8 to establish that both the apparent refutations of SE 4–7 and pseudo-scientific refutations issue in false conclusions. His concern rather is to provide a causal analysis of both classes of apparent refutation alike which will explain why both kinds of apparent refutation are sophistical – and whose solutions are therefore the task of no special science but of a dialectical σλλογιστιϰή τέχνη (172a35). I conclude my analysis with the observation that Aristotle exploits the results of SE 8 to fend off inSE 9, 10, and 11 respectively a triad of threats to the very existence of a τέχνη of the resolution of sophistical refutation. The three threats are: the impossibility of omniscience; the relativity of semantic beliefs; and the incapacity of a questioner ignorant of a science to expose the ignorance of a pretender to scientific expertise.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Aristotle’s Expansion of the Taxonomy of Fallacy in De Sophisticis Elenchis 8
- Creators
- Carrie Swanson - University of Iowa, Philosophy
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- History of Philosophy and Logical Analysis, Vol.15(1), pp.200-237
- Publisher
- mentis Verlag
- DOI
- 10.30965/26664275-01501009
- ISSN
- 2666-4283
- eISSN
- 2666-4275
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/05/2012
- Academic Unit
- Philosophy; Classics
- Record Identifier
- 9984404035402771
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