Aristotle gives three accounts about how the principles of demonstrative
sciences are acquired in his Posterior Analytics II.19. This article aims to
explain the two statements in the third account, namely, recasting account that
follows the genetic account and simile account: “though you perceive
particulars, perception is of universals”; “we must get to know the primitive by
induction, for this is the way in which perception instills universals.” A unique
theory of perception in the Posterior Analytics II.19, represented by these
statement is on the one hand a dramatic and effective critique on Plato’s theory
of recollection. On the other hand, this theory of perception tells that the
epistemic ground of demonstrative inquiry is perception, where induction is
performed.