There is no \textit{consequentia mirabilis} in Greek mathematics (Q1740460)

Christoph Clavius claimed in 1611 to have found an application of \textit{consequentia mirabilis} (CM) (a reasoning corresponding to \((\neg p\rightarrow p)\rightarrow p\)) in Euclid's \textit{Elements} IX.12. A few other scholars have endorsed Clavius, ``enlarging the domain of ancient applications of the rule both to other mathematical propositions (\textit{Elements} VIII.6 and IX.36) and to deductive patterns occurring in philosophical or, more frequently, in strictly logical contexts''. Through a careful analysis of the wording of the three claimed occurrences of CM in the \textit{Elements}, the author of the paper under review reaches the conclusion that ``there is no application of CM in Greek mathematical works.'' The author's critique is a wider one, its aim being to point out ``the inadequacy of the current logical analyses of Greek mathematics''.