g. the question whether the universe is eternal
or no: for into questions of that kind too it is possible to inquire.
Problems, then, and propositions are to be defined as aforesaid. A
'thesis' is a supposition of some eminent philosopher that conflicts
with the general opinion; e.g. the view that contradiction is
impossible, as Antisthenes said; or the view of Heraclitus that all
things are in motion; or that Being is one, as Melissus says: for to
take notice when any ordinary person expresses views contrary to men's
usual opinions would be silly. Or it may be a view about which we have
a reasoned theory contrary to men's usual opinions, e.g. the view
maintained by the sophists that what is need not in every case
either have come to be or be eternal: for a musician who is a
grammarian 'is' so without ever having 'come to be' so, or being so
eternally. For even if a man does not accept this view, he might do so
on the ground that it is reasonable.
Now a 'thesis' also is a problem, though a problem is not always a
thesis, inasmuch as some problems are such that we have no opinion
about them either way. That a thesis, however, also forms a problem,
is clear: for it follows of necessity from what has been said that
either the mass of men disagree with the philosophers about the
thesis, or that the one or the other class disagree among
themselves, seeing that the thesis is a supposition in conflict with
general opinion.
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