Yet twenty-two hundred years ago, there were scientists. Before Rome was an outlaw's camp in the far west, Aristotle was saying, If a man grasps truths that can not be other than they are, in the way in which he grasps the definitions through which demonstrations take place, he will not have opinion, but knowledge.
Two millennia ago, the pursuit of knowledge was already an endeavor taken seriously by thinkers like Aristotle. He emphasized the importance of grasping undeniable truths, indicating that true understanding comes from a solid foundation of definitions and clear demonstrations. This perspective highlights the value of knowledge over mere opinion, suggesting that genuine insight is rooted in objective realities.
In Rose Wilder Lane's book, "The Discovery of Freedom: Man's Struggle Against Authority," this quote invokes the legacy of early scientists and philosophers who sought to explore and explain the world around them. It serves as a reminder that the quest for knowledge has deep historical roots, emphasizing how critical it is for individuals to strive for understanding rather than relying solely on subjective beliefs.
