1which to the ſtability of the Earth it is neceſſary (forſaking that
Symetry which is obſerved to be between the velocities and
nitudes of moveables) to aſcribe to a Sphere, vaſt above all
others, an unconceiveable celerity, whilſt the other leſſer
Spheres move extream ſlowly; and which is more, to make that
motion contrary to all their motions; and, yet again to adde to
the improbability, to make that ſuperiour Sphere forcibly to
tranſport all the inferionr ones along with it contrary to their
proper inclination. And here I refer it to your judgment to
termine which of the two is the moſt probable.
Symetry which is obſerved to be between the velocities and
nitudes of moveables) to aſcribe to a Sphere, vaſt above all
others, an unconceiveable celerity, whilſt the other leſſer
Spheres move extream ſlowly; and which is more, to make that
motion contrary to all their motions; and, yet again to adde to
the improbability, to make that ſuperiour Sphere forcibly to
tranſport all the inferionr ones along with it contrary to their
proper inclination. And here I refer it to your judgment to
termine which of the two is the moſt probable.
The Suns
nual motion, how
it comes to paſſe,
according to
pernicus.
nual motion, how
it comes to paſſe,
according to
pernicus.
An admirable
accident depending
on the not inclining
of the Earths axis
accident depending
on the not inclining
of the Earths axis
SAGR. To me, as far as concerneth ſenſe, there appeareth
no ſmall difference betwixt the ſimplicity and facility of
ting effects by the means aſſigned in this new conſtitution, and
the multiplicity, conſufion, and difficulty, that is found in the
ancient and commonly received Hypotheſis. For if the Univerſe
were diſpoſed according to this multiplicity, it would be
ceſſary to renounce many Maximes in Philoſophy commonly
ceived by Philoſophers, as for inſtance, That Nature doth
not multiply things without neceſſity; and, That She makes uſe
of the moſt facile and ſimple means in producing her effects;
and, That She doth nothing in vain, and the like. I do confeſſe
that I never heard any thing more admirable than this, nor can I
believe that Humane Underſtanding ever penetrated a more
ſublime ſpeculation. I know not what Simplicius may think
of it.
no ſmall difference betwixt the ſimplicity and facility of
ting effects by the means aſſigned in this new conſtitution, and
the multiplicity, conſufion, and difficulty, that is found in the
ancient and commonly received Hypotheſis. For if the Univerſe
were diſpoſed according to this multiplicity, it would be
ceſſary to renounce many Maximes in Philoſophy commonly
ceived by Philoſophers, as for inſtance, That Nature doth
not multiply things without neceſſity; and, That She makes uſe
of the moſt facile and ſimple means in producing her effects;
and, That She doth nothing in vain, and the like. I do confeſſe
that I never heard any thing more admirable than this, nor can I
believe that Humane Underſtanding ever penetrated a more
ſublime ſpeculation. I know not what Simplicius may think
of it.
Axiomes
monly admitted by
all Philoſophers.
monly admitted by
all Philoſophers.
SIMP. Theſe (if I may ſpeak my judgment freely) do ſeem
to me ſome of thoſe Geometrical ſubtilties which Ariſtotle finds
fault with in Plato, when he accuſeth him that by his too
much ſtudying of Geometry he forſook ſolid Philoſophy; and I
have known and heard very great Peripatetick Philoſophers to
diſſwade their Scholars from the Study of the Mathematicks, as
thoſe that render the wit cavilous, and unable to philoſophate
well; an Inſtitute diametrically contrary to that of Plato, who
admitted uone to Philoſophy, unleſſe he was firſt well entered in
Geometry.
to me ſome of thoſe Geometrical ſubtilties which Ariſtotle finds
fault with in Plato, when he accuſeth him that by his too
much ſtudying of Geometry he forſook ſolid Philoſophy; and I
have known and heard very great Peripatetick Philoſophers to
diſſwade their Scholars from the Study of the Mathematicks, as
thoſe that render the wit cavilous, and unable to philoſophate
well; an Inſtitute diametrically contrary to that of Plato, who
admitted uone to Philoſophy, unleſſe he was firſt well entered in
Geometry.
Ariſtotle
eth Plato for being
too ſtudious of
ometry.
eth Plato for being
too ſtudious of
ometry.
SALV. I commend the policy of theſe your Peripateticks, in
dehorting their Diſciples from the Study of Geometry, for that
there is no art more commodious for detecting their fallacies; but
ſee how they differ from the Mathematical Philoſophers, who
much more willingly converſe with thoſe that are well verſt in
the commune Peripatetick Philoſophy, than with thoſe that are
deſtitute of that knowledg, who for want thereof cannot
ſtinguiſh between doctrine and doctrine. But paſſing by this, tell
me I beſeech you, what are thoſe extravagancies and thoſe too
affected ſubtilties that make you think this Copernican Syſteme
the leſſe plauſible?
dehorting their Diſciples from the Study of Geometry, for that
there is no art more commodious for detecting their fallacies; but
ſee how they differ from the Mathematical Philoſophers, who
much more willingly converſe with thoſe that are well verſt in
the commune Peripatetick Philoſophy, than with thoſe that are
deſtitute of that knowledg, who for want thereof cannot
ſtinguiſh between doctrine and doctrine. But paſſing by this, tell
me I beſeech you, what are thoſe extravagancies and thoſe too
affected ſubtilties that make you think this Copernican Syſteme
the leſſe plauſible?