Aristoteliantoposand Greek geometry∗

Abstract

In this article it is argued that Aristotle borrowed his rhetorical concept of topos from Greek geometry. Passages in Proclus’ Commentary on the First Book of Euclid show that topos as the term for ‘geometrical locus’ was used as early as in the fourth century by Greek geometers in or associated with the Academy. It is further argued that the adjective aτoπoς had its origin in Greek science, in the technical sense ‘contrary to aτoπoς’, i.e. ’impossible’, ‘illogical’.