Aristotle solves Zeno's paradox
The theory resembles that about the stone being worn away by the drop of water or split by plants growing out of it: if so much has been extruded or removed by the drop, it does not follow that half the amount has previously been extruded or removed in half the time; but, as in the case of the hauled ship, so many drops set so much in motion, but a part of them will not set as much in motion in any period of time. The amount removed is, it is true, divisible into a number of parts, but no one of these was set in motion separately: they were all set in motion together. It is evident, then, that from the fact that the decrease is divisible into an infinite number of parts it does not follow that some part must always be passing away at a particular moment. (Physics, 253b14–22)
I mean, not really. Here is a happy phrase: "events transpired against me". This is indeed often the case.
Comments
on 2007-02-14 2:50:48.0, Shawn commented:
Aristotle does offer a solution to Zeno's paradox in Physics 6.
and, further, on 2007-02-14 7:49:05.0, ben wolfson commented:
Well how about that.