[995a]
[24]
It is necessary, with a view to the
science which we are investigating, that we first describe the
questions which should first be discussed. These consist of all the
divergent views which are held about the first principles; and also of
any other view apart from these which happens to have been
overlooked.Now for
those who wish to get rid of perplexities it is a good plan to go into
them thoroughly; for the subsequent certainty is a release from the
previous perplexities, and release is impossible when we do not know
the knot. The perplexity of the mind shows that there is a "knot" in
the subject; for in its perplexity it is in much the same condition as
men who are fettered: in both cases it is impossible to make any
progress.Hence we
should first have studied all the difficulties, both for the reasons
given and also because those who start an inquiry without first
considering the difficulties are like people who do not know where
they are going; besides, one does not even know whether the thing
required has been found or not.
Aristotle. Aristotle in 23 Volumes, Vols.17, 18, translated by Hugh Tredennick. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1933, 1989.
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