It seems that Aristotle is teaching us to be ever more sensitive to precision with enunciations. I suppose it all depends on what exactly we are speaking of. E.g. if I were to assert “Philosophers are wise; therefore, these two particular philosophers, are both wise.”, while looking at Aristotle, and say, Francis Bacon. Then it seems that we cannot ascertain the truth, or falsity, of such a general enunciation, about two particular people, by simple reasoning alone. I think Aristotle is teaching us to treat each enunciation on a case-by-case basis.
Let us then look at each philosopher particularly and rephrase each enunciation: “Aristotle is wise vs. Aristotle is not wise.”, and “Francis Bacon is wise vs. Francis Bacon is not wise.” Now we have two distinct enunciations where we can investigate the affirmation, and negation, for the truth, or falsity for each particular philosopher. It doesn’t seem like we would have ever come to each respective premise, for each subject, to start our investigation, had we just made our prior general enunciation, and simply left it at that. I suppose that if we are going to speak universally about things, then let it be universal in nature, and not assuming particular subjects can be assumed into a universal premise without distinction.
Still, concerning Aristotle, & Bacon, The Organon, & the Novum Organum: the following scripture verse comes to my mind concerning these two contrary philosophers:
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.” (Matthew 7:18-20)
In XC, with Sts. Sebastian, & Bartolo Longo,
Eddie