Abstract

In this paper the way of doing physics typical of mathematical physics is contrasted with the way of doing physics theorised, and practised, by Aristotle, which is not extraneous to mathematics but deals with it in a completely different manner: not as a demonstrative tool but as a reservoir of analogies. These two different uses are the tangible expression of two different underlying metaphysics of mathematics: two incommensurable metaphysics, which give rise to two incommensurable physics. In the first part of this paper this incommensurability is analysed, then Aristotle’s way of using mathematics is clarified in relation to some controversial mathematical passages, and finally the relation between mathematics and the building of theories is discussed.