It
is possible, however, to suppose that one member of such a class has a
certain attribute and another has not; e.g. while we may suppose
that no even number is prime, we may suppose that some are and some
are not. But regarding a numerically single number not even this
form of error is possible; for we cannot in this case suppose that one
instance has an attribute and another has not, but whether our
judgement be true or false, it is implied that the fact is eternal.
Book X
1
WE have said previously, in our distinction of the various
meanings of words, that 'one' has several meanings; the things that
are directly and of their own nature and not accidentally called one
may be summarized under four heads, though the word is used in more
senses. (1) There is the continuous, either in general, or
especially that which is continuous by nature and not by contact nor
by being together; and of these, that has more unity and is prior,
whose movement is more indivisible and simpler. (2) That which is a
whole and has a certain shape and form is one in a still higher
degree; and especially if a thing is of this sort by nature, and not
by force like the things which are unified by glue or nails or by
being tied together, i.e. if it has in itself the cause of its
continuity. A thing is of this sort because its movement is one and
indivisible in place and time; so that evidently if a thing has by
nature a principle of movement that is of the first kind (i.
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