Aristotle v.

Forms: 10/11/2016

Negative Argument

1. The argument that the sciences exist entails that there will be a form of every thing for which
there is a science, from one-over-many.
2. One-over-many itself entails that there will be forms of negations.
3. The object of thought argument entails forms of perishable things.
4. One argument entails forms for relations.
5. One argument entails an infinite number of forms of a single predicate.
6. If an argument for forms entails that some form that does not exist exists, it is unsound.
7. The arguments of (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) are unsound.
8. The arguments of (1)-(5) exhaust the best arguments for forms.
9. There are no sound arguments among the best given for the existence of forms.
10. If there are no sound arguments for the existence of forms, forms do not exist.
11. Forms do not exist.
Positive argument

1. If forms exist, they are substances.

2. If forms exist, they exist outside of space and time.
3. If forms exist, particulars are those things of which the forms are substances.
4. Forms exist.
5. Particulars exist in either space or time (inclusive “or”).
6. The substances of particulars exist metaphysically apart from the particulars themselves.
7. (6) is impossible.
8. One premise among (1)-(5) must be false.
9. If (8), (4) is the false premise.
10. (4) is the false premise.
11. Forms do not exist.

Appraisal:

Negative argument: valid. (10), I think, is false.

Positive argument: valid. (1) and (3), I think, are false.