Works of Aristotle, Vol. 2 (Physics, On the Heavens, On Generation and Corruption)

184ª ✓

I WHEN the objects of an inquiry, in any department, have
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underlined in blue: principles, conditions, or elements, it is through acquaintance
with these that knowledge, that is to say scientific know-
ledge, is attained. For we do not think that we know a
thing until we are acquainted with its underlined in blue: primary conditions
or first principles, and have carried our analysis as far as
its simplest elements. Plainly therefore in the science of
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Nature, as in other branches of study, our first task will be
to try to determine what relates to its principles.

    The natural way of doing this is to start from the things
which are more knowable and obvious underlined in blue: to us and proceed
towards those which are clearer and more knowable by
nature; for the same things are not 'knowable relatively to
us' and 'knowable' without qualification. So in the present
inquiry we must follow this method and advance from what