Book 6 / Chapter 6
Paragraph 1 - Intuitive Reason and First Principles
Explanation - Part By Part
"Scientific knowledge is judgement about things that are universal and necessary, and the conclusions of demonstration, and all scientific knowledge, follow from first principles (for scientific knowledge involves apprehension of a rational ground)."
Aristotle is defining scientific knowledge as the understanding of things that are universal (true for everyone or everything) and necessary (cannot be otherwise). This kind of knowledge is based on reasoning and logical demonstration, meaning it builds upon solid, rational foundations. Importantly, all scientific knowledge depends on first principles—basic truths or starting points that themselves are not demonstrated but are instead accepted as the foundation for all further reasoning.
"This being so, the first principle from which what is scientifically known follows cannot be an object of scientific knowledge, of art, or of practical wisdom; for that which can be scientifically known can be demonstrated, and art and practical wisdom deal with things that are variable."
Aristotle is explaining that the "first principles"—the foundational truths or starting points of knowledge—cannot themselves be the subject of scientific knowledge, art, or practical wisdom. Why? Because scientific knowledge is based on demonstration (i.e., logical proof), and these first principles are not subject to proof; they are self-evident truths upon which other knowledge is built. Similarly, art and practical wisdom deal with things that change or vary (like creating something or making decisions in life), and first principles are constant, unchanging truths. Therefore, these first principles must belong to a different type of understanding.
"Nor are these first principles the objects of philosophic wisdom, for it is a mark of the philosopher to have demonstration about some things."
Aristotle is making the point here that the "first principles"—the foundational truths or starting points upon which other knowledge is built—are not the focus or object of philosophic wisdom (sophia). Philosophers, as Aristotle sees it, engage in demonstrating and reasoning about things, uncovering truths through logical progression. However, the first principles themselves cannot be "demonstrated" or proven in this way, since they are the foundational starting points from which all such demonstrations arise. Philosophic wisdom, therefore, deals with reasoning about particular truths, but not with directly apprehending the basic, self-evident truths that form the basis of reasoning itself.
"If, then, the states of mind by which we have truth and are never deceived about things invariable or even variable are scientific knowledge, practical wisdom, philosophic wisdom, and intuitive reason, and it cannot be any of the three (i.e. practical wisdom, scientific knowledge, or philosophic wisdom), the remaining alternative is that it is intuitive reason that grasps the first principles."
Aristotle is digging into how humans come to know and understand truth, particularly the "first principles" — the foundational truths or starting points from which everything else is derived. He lists some key ways the mind operates to grasp truth and avoid being deceived:
1. Scientific Knowledge - Deals with universal and necessary truths that can be demonstrated logically (like in math or physics).
2. Practical Wisdom - Concerns variable, everyday human decisions about what is good or bad in life (context-driven judgment, not fixed rules).
3. Philosophic Wisdom - Higher understanding, synthesizing deep principles and truths about the world.
Now, since the "first principles" don't belong to these categories (because they can't be demonstrated like scientific knowledge, or decided by practical wisdom, or derived from philosophic wisdom's demonstrations), Aristotle argues that Intuitive Reason is what grasps these principles. Intuition, in this sense, is a kind of direct, self-evident understanding—it "just sees" these basic truths without needing further demonstration or reasoning.