g. we know
Coriscus the musician better when we know that Coriscus is musical
than when we know only that man is musical, and a like argument
holds in all other cases. But commensurately universal
demonstration, instead of proving that the subject itself actually
is x, proves only that something else is x- e.g. in attempting to
prove that isosceles is x, it proves not that isosceles but only that
triangle is x- whereas particular demonstration proves that the
subject itself is x. The demonstration, then, that a subject, as such,
possesses an attribute is superior. If this is so, and if the
particular rather than the commensurately universal forms
demonstrates, particular demonstration is superior.
(2) The universal has not a separate being over against groups of
singulars. Demonstration nevertheless creates the opinion that its
function is conditioned by something like this-some separate entity
belonging to the real world; that, for instance, of triangle or of
figure or number, over against particular triangles, figures, and
numbers. But demonstration which touches the real and will not mislead
is superior to that which moves among unrealities and is delusory.
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