The Topics (Ancient Greek: Τοπικά; Latin: Topica) is the name given to one of Aristotle's six works on logic collectively known as the Organon.
[1] The treatise presents the art of dialectic - the invention and discovery of arguments in which the propositions rest upon commonly held opinions or endoxa (ἔνδοξα in Greek).
"[4] By element, he means a general form under which enthymemes of the same type can be included.
The word topic derives from ancient Greek tópos (literally "place, location").
It is also related to the ancient mnemonic technique method of loci, by which things to be remembered are recollected by mentally connecting them with successive real or imagined places.
[7] Dialectical reasoning is thereafter divided by Aristotle into inductive and deductive parts.
Book I is introductory, laying down a number of preliminary principles upon which dialectical argumentation proceeds.
He also explains the various senses of sameness, that bear directly upon the character of arguments, as follows.
Then, the means (organa) by which arguments may be obtained are described: Methods and rationale for attaining each of these ends are briefly illustrated and explained.
Book III concerns topics that can be discussed with respect to better or worse.
Remember that these statements are in relation to arguments about what most people accept is the case, as in all of Topics.
Some of these topics are as follows, phrased as questions: There are also considerations to make about genus relating to states and deprivations.
In addition to these distinctions, intelligibility of the alleged property is an important topic.
There are five parts to discussing definitions, phrased in terms of looking to defeat one's opponents.
There are two types of incorrect definitions: obscure (lack of clarity), and superfluous (longer than necessary).
For example, if man is defined as "rational animal", then adding "capable of receiving knowledge" will not add anything essential or distinguishing.
Book VII restates the proper method of definition, discusses the topic of sameness again, and compares the various difficulties involved in forming arguments.
The final book contains suggestions, hints, and some tricks about the techniques of organizing and delivering one or the other side of verbal argument.
Inferences closer to first principles are harder to argue with because fewer arguments can be used with regard to them.
Taking longer through many steps is faulty reasoning, because it conceals the grounds that the argument depends.
Aristotle makes clear that there are different rules for arguing for training or examination, compared to competition.
The Sophistical Refutations is viewed by some[12] as an appendix to the Topics, inasmuch as its final section[13] appears to form an epilogue to both treatises.