1neceſſity ſuſpect our own ſenſes, as wholly fallible, or ſtupid in
judging of ſenſible things even very near at hand. What truth
therefore can we hope for, to be derived from ſo deceiveable a
culty?
judging of ſenſible things even very near at hand. What truth
therefore can we hope for, to be derived from ſo deceiveable a
culty?
SALV. But I deſire not to deduce precepts more profitable, or
more certain, learning to be more circumſpect and leſs confident
about that which at firſt bluſh is repreſented to us by the ſenſes,
which may eaſily deceive us. And I would not have this Author
trouble himſelf in attemptiug to make us comprehend by ſenſe,
that this motion of deſcending Graves is ſimply right, and of
no other kind; nor let him exclaim that a thing ſo clear, manifeſt,
and obvious ſhould be brought in queſtion; for in ſo doing, he
maketh others believe, that he thinketh thoſe that deny that
tion to be abſolutely ſtreight, but rather circular, the ſtone did
ſenſibly ſee it to move in an arch, ſeeing that he inviteth their ſenſes
more than their Reaſon, to judg of that effect: which is not true,
Simplicius, for like as I, that am indifferent in all theſe
ons, and onely in the manner of a Comedian, perſonate
cus in theſe our repreſentations, have never ſeen, nor thought
that I have ſeen that ſtone fall otherwiſe than perpendicularly,
ſo I believe, that to the eyes of all others it ſeemed to do the
ſame. Better it is therefore, that depoſing that appearance in
which all agree, we make uſe of our Reaſon, either to confirm the
reality of that, or to diſcover its fallacy.
more certain, learning to be more circumſpect and leſs confident
about that which at firſt bluſh is repreſented to us by the ſenſes,
which may eaſily deceive us. And I would not have this Author
trouble himſelf in attemptiug to make us comprehend by ſenſe,
that this motion of deſcending Graves is ſimply right, and of
no other kind; nor let him exclaim that a thing ſo clear, manifeſt,
and obvious ſhould be brought in queſtion; for in ſo doing, he
maketh others believe, that he thinketh thoſe that deny that
tion to be abſolutely ſtreight, but rather circular, the ſtone did
ſenſibly ſee it to move in an arch, ſeeing that he inviteth their ſenſes
more than their Reaſon, to judg of that effect: which is not true,
Simplicius, for like as I, that am indifferent in all theſe
ons, and onely in the manner of a Comedian, perſonate
cus in theſe our repreſentations, have never ſeen, nor thought
that I have ſeen that ſtone fall otherwiſe than perpendicularly,
ſo I believe, that to the eyes of all others it ſeemed to do the
ſame. Better it is therefore, that depoſing that appearance in
which all agree, we make uſe of our Reaſon, either to confirm the
reality of that, or to diſcover its fallacy.
SAGR. If I could any time meet with this Philoſopher, who
yet me thinks is more ſublime than the reſt of the followers of
the ſame doctrines, I would in token of my affection put him in
mind of an accident which he hath doubtleſs very often beheld;
from which, with great conformity to that which we now diſcourſe
of, it may be collected how eaſily one may be deceived by the bare
appearance, or, if you will, repreſentation of the ſenſe. And the
accident is, the Moons ſeeming to follow thoſe that walk the ſtreets
in the night, with a pace equal to theirs, whilſt they ſee it go
ding along the Roofs of houſes, upon which it ſheweth juſt like a
cat, that really running along the ridges of houſes, leaveth them
behind. An appearance that, did not reaſon interpoſe, would but
too manifeſtly delude the ſight.
yet me thinks is more ſublime than the reſt of the followers of
the ſame doctrines, I would in token of my affection put him in
mind of an accident which he hath doubtleſs very often beheld;
from which, with great conformity to that which we now diſcourſe
of, it may be collected how eaſily one may be deceived by the bare
appearance, or, if you will, repreſentation of the ſenſe. And the
accident is, the Moons ſeeming to follow thoſe that walk the ſtreets
in the night, with a pace equal to theirs, whilſt they ſee it go
ding along the Roofs of houſes, upon which it ſheweth juſt like a
cat, that really running along the ridges of houſes, leaveth them
behind. An appearance that, did not reaſon interpoſe, would but
too manifeſtly delude the ſight.
SIMP. Indeed there want not experiments that render us
tain of the fallacy of the meer ſenſes; therefore ſuſpending ſuch
ſenſations for the preſent, let us hear the Arguments that follow
which are taken, as he ſaith, ex rerum naturâ. The firſt of which
is, that the Earth cannot of its own nature move with three
ons very different; or otherwiſe we muſt deny many manifeſt
Axioms. The firſt whereof is, that Omnïs effectus dependeat ab
aliquâ cauſâ; [i. e.] that every effect dependeth on ſome cauſe.
tain of the fallacy of the meer ſenſes; therefore ſuſpending ſuch
ſenſations for the preſent, let us hear the Arguments that follow
which are taken, as he ſaith, ex rerum naturâ. The firſt of which
is, that the Earth cannot of its own nature move with three
ons very different; or otherwiſe we muſt deny many manifeſt
Axioms. The firſt whereof is, that Omnïs effectus dependeat ab
aliquâ cauſâ; [i. e.] that every effect dependeth on ſome cauſe.