Thus we
should have the number of considerations on which the fallacious
proofs depend: for they could not depend on more, but all will
depend on the points aforesaid.
A sophistical refutation is a refutation not absolutely but
relatively to some one: and so is a proof, in the same way. For unless
that which depends upon ambiguity assumes that the ambiguous term
has a single meaning, and that which depends on like verbal forms
assumes that substance is the only category, and the rest in the
same way, there will be neither refutations nor proofs, either
absolutely or relatively to the answerer: whereas if they do assume
these things, they will stand, relatively to the answerer; but
absolutely they will not stand: for they have not secured a
statement that does have a single meaning, but only one that appears
to have, and that only from this particular man.
9
The number of considerations on which depend the refutations of
those who are refuted, we ought not to try to grasp without a
knowledge of everything that is. This, however, is not the province of
any special study: for possibly the sciences are infinite in number,
so that obviously demonstrations may be infinite too. Now
refutations may be true as well as false: for whenever it is
possible to demonstrate something, it is also possible to refute the
man who maintains the contradictory of the truth; e.
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