Parmenides’ Argument Against Generation

Question 1

Parmenides’ Argument Against Generation

Answer 1

1) If something is generated, then either (a) it comes from nothing or (b) it comes from something else 2) It is impossible that (a) 3) It is impossible that (b) 4) So, everything is ungenerated

Question 2

Parmenides’ Argument for the Second Premise

Answer 2

1) Nothing can be said of nothing 2) If (1), it cannot be said that something comes from nothing 3) If nothing cannot be said that something comes from nothing, then it is impossible that (a) 4) It is impossible that (a)

Question 3

Parmenides’ Argument for the Third Premise

Answer 3

1) If (b) is possible, then it is possible for there to be an X and a Y, such that X comes to be from Y, but where Y is not X 2) If X comes to be from Y, then Y became X 3) If Y became X, then Y is X 4) It is impossible that (b)

Question 4

premise (1) in parmenides main argument

Answer 4

To be generated means to come into existence. Parmenides presents these two options as they are exhaustive.

Question 5

premise (1) in second premise argument

Answer 5

1) To describe or “say something of” something, one must refer to it. Parmenides believes that we cannot say anything of nothing because there is nothing to refer to.

Question 6

premise (2) in second premise argument

Answer 6

If we were to say that something comes from nothing, we would be giving a description – which we have already determined is not possible because there is nothing to refer to.

Question 7

premise (3) in the second premise argument

Answer 7

(a) says that “something comes from nothing”, which we have determined impossible. Therefore (a) is impossible

Question 8

ambiguity in comings

Answer 8

• When one says, the tree came from the seed, we are referring to two things. If we were to say that God came from nothing, we wouldn’t be referring to two things - we are simply saying that there does not exist something which God came from.
• This is the denial of a generalization, not saying something about nothing.

Question 9

objection to premise (1) in the second premise argument

Answer 9

We can use the word “nothing” in a generalization/statement without saying something about nothing – therefore, premise (1) is false.

Question 10

premise (4) in the third premise argument

Answer 10

Parmenides thinks that in any case where an X becomes a Y, Y is X. Our conclusion is the negation of the first premise of this argument

Question 11

premise (1)-(3) in the third premise argument

Answer 11

Use seed and tree example

Question 12

outline for parmenides argument

Answer 12

1) present all arguments and explain all premises
2) ambiguity in comings
3) objection to premise (1) in the second argument