Aristotle on Melissus on Infinity

Güremen R.

Australasian Journal of Philosophy, vol.101, no.2, pp.455-469, 2023 (AHCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 101 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/00048402.2021.1993450
  • Journal Name: Australasian Journal of Philosophy
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Philosopher's Index
  • Page Numbers: pp.455-469
  • Keywords: Melissus, Eleatics, Aristotle, infinity, monism
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2021 Australasian Journal of Philosophy.This paper claims that the argument that Aristotle seems to ascribe to Melissus in Physics III.6 about infinity is different from Melissus’ original argument. On scrutiny, it turns out that the Aristotelian version of the argument takes Melissus to suppose that being is unlimited because it is not in contact with anything else. I claim that this is not Melissus’ notion of unlimitedness for being, and that the Aristotelian version hinges on a reversal of Melissus’ own reasoning.