Page:O. F. Owen's Organon of Aristotle Vol. 1 (1853).djvu/276

 if indeed triangle (is taken away); according to this it is inherent in others, and of this universally is the demonstration.

Chapter 6
then demonstrative science is from necessary principles, (for what is scientifically known cannot subsist otherwise,) and those which are per se inherent are necessarily so in things, (for some are inherent in the definition of what a thing is, but others are they in the very nature of which the subjects are inherent, of which they are so predicated, that one of opposites is necessarily present,) it is evident that the demonstrative syllogism will consist of certain things of this kind, for every thing is either thus inherent, or according to accident, but accidents are not necessary.

Either therefore we must say this, or that demonstration is a necessary thing, if we lay down this principle, and that if demonstration is given that a thing cannot subsist otherwise, wherefore the syllogism must be from necessary (matter). For it is possible without demonstration to syllogize from what are true, but we cannot do so from things necessary, except by demonstration, for this is now (the essence) of demonstration. An indication also that demonstration is from things necessary is, that we thus object to those who think they demonstrate that (the conclusion) is not necessary, whether we think that the matter may altogether be otherwise possible, or on account of the argument. Hence too the folly of those appears, who think they assume principles rightly, if the proposition be probable and true, as the Sophists (assume) that to know is to possess knowledge. For it is not the probable or improbable, which