Aristotle on Conversions in <i>APr.</i> II 22

Abstract In this note I focus on a controversial passage of APr. II 22 where Aristotle allegedly claimed that two terms A and B convert without the latter being predicated of the former. The passage is controversial given Aristotle’s endorsement in APr. II 5 of quite the opposite view, namely that converting terms are predicated of each other. I provide an interpretation of the final clause πλὴν αὐτοῦ τοῦ A at 68a21 which is consistent with the idea that B is predicated of A. Then, I attempt a reconstruction of the argument in order to show that Aristotle was indeed committed to the claim that B is predicated of A , hence the two terms convert precisely in the sense of APr. II 5. Such a reconstruction, unlike the one provided by the consensus view, does not presuppose at all the orthodox dictum (in fact, it is arguably neutral with respect to which semantics for assertoric syllogistic is adopted). Besides being closer to Aristotle’s text, the reconstruction has the advantage that it can be endorsed even by those who do accept the heterodox interpretation of the dictum .