The Fourth Figure in Aristotle

Abstract

This paper investigates whether Aristotle was aware of the fourth figure, and if he was aware of the fourth figure, why he excluded it from his system. Various commentators have explained why this figure does not exist in the system, so this paper compiles ane examines these arguments through a certain logical frame. By inquiring into why the fourth figure was not included in his logical system, the paper considers whether logical factors may explain this exclusion.

Keywords

• ristotle
• Aristotelian logic
• logical frame
• syllogism
• the fourth figure