Page:Ferrier Works vol 2 1888 LECTURES IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY.pdf/132

Rh paradox is resolved when we consider the kind of truth which the philosopher is in quest of. He is not searching for truth as it presents itself to intellects constituted in a particular way, furnished, for example, with such senses as ours. If that were what he was in quest of, he would very soon find what he wanted in the solid earth and the glowing skies. But that is not what he is in quest of. He is seeking for truth as it presents itself to intellect universally, that is, to intellect not provided with human senses. And this being his aim, he conceives that such truth is to be found in the category of number, while it is not to be found in stocks and stones, and chairs and tables, for these are true only to some minds, that is, to minds with human senses; but the other is true to all minds, whatever senses they may have, and whether they have any senses at all or not. Slightly changed, the line of Pope might be taken as their motto by the Pythagoreans,

They come whether we will or not. Whatever we think, we think of under some form either of unity or multiplicity. Number seems to be a category of reason and universality.

20. This explanation seems to relieve the Pythagorean principle from all tincture of absurdity, and to render it intelligible, if not convincing; admit that truth and reality are rather to be found in what