The
tions of Ariſtotle
to Prove that the
Vniverſe is finite,
are all nullified by
denying it to be
moveable.
tions of Ariſtotle
to Prove that the
Vniverſe is finite,
are all nullified by
denying it to be
moveable.
SALV. All which in the end are reduced to one alone, and that
one to none at all; for if I deny his aſſumption, to wit, that the
Univerſe is moveable, all his demonſtrations come to nothing, for
he onely proveth the Univerſe to be finite and terminate, for that
it is moveable. But that we may not multiply diſputes, let it be
granted for once, that the World is finite, ſpherical, and hath
its centre. And ſeeing that that centre and figure is argued from
its mobility, it will, without doubt, be very reaſonable, if from the
circular motions of mundane bodies we proceed to the particular
inveſtigation of that centres proper place: Nay Ariſtotle himſelf
one to none at all; for if I deny his aſſumption, to wit, that the
Univerſe is moveable, all his demonſtrations come to nothing, for
he onely proveth the Univerſe to be finite and terminate, for that
it is moveable. But that we may not multiply diſputes, let it be
granted for once, that the World is finite, ſpherical, and hath
its centre. And ſeeing that that centre and figure is argued from
its mobility, it will, without doubt, be very reaſonable, if from the
circular motions of mundane bodies we proceed to the particular
inveſtigation of that centres proper place: Nay Ariſtotle himſelf
hath argued and determined in the ſame manner, making that
ſame to be the centre of the Univerſe about which all the
leſtial Spheres revolve, and in which he beleived the Terreſtrial
Globe to have been placed. Now tell me Simplicius, if Ariſtotle
ſhould be conſtrained by evident experience to alter in part this
his diſpoſure and order of the Univerſe, and confeſſe himſelf to
have been deceived in one of theſe two propoſitions, namely,
ther in placing the Earth in the centre, or in ſaying, that the
Cœleſtial Spheres do move about that centre, which of the two
confeſſions think you would he chooſe?
Ariſtotle makes
that point to be the
centre of the
verſe about which
all the Celeſtial
Spheres do revolve.
that point to be the
centre of the
verſe about which
all the Celeſtial
Spheres do revolve.
A queſtion is
put, in caſe that
if Ariſtotle were
forced to receive
one of two
tions that make
gainſt his doctrine,
which he would
admit.
put, in caſe that
if Ariſtotle were
forced to receive
one of two
tions that make
gainſt his doctrine,
which he would
admit.
SALV. I do not ask the Peripateticks, I demand of Ariſtotle,
for as to thoſe, I know very well what they would reply; they, as
obſervant and humble vaſſals of Ariſtotle, would deny all the
periments and all the obſervations in the World, nay, would alſo
refuſe to ſee them, that they might not be forced to acknowledg
them, and would ſay that the World ſtands as Ariſtotle writeth,
and not as nature will have it, for depriving them of the ſhield
of his Authority, with what do you think they would appear in the
field? Tell me therefore what you are perſwaded Ariſtotle
ſelf would do in the caſe.
for as to thoſe, I know very well what they would reply; they, as
obſervant and humble vaſſals of Ariſtotle, would deny all the
periments and all the obſervations in the World, nay, would alſo
refuſe to ſee them, that they might not be forced to acknowledg
them, and would ſay that the World ſtands as Ariſtotle writeth,
and not as nature will have it, for depriving them of the ſhield
of his Authority, with what do you think they would appear in the
field? Tell me therefore what you are perſwaded Ariſtotle
ſelf would do in the caſe.
SIMP. To tell you the truth, I know not how to reſolve
which of the two inconveniences is to be eſteemed the leſſer.
which of the two inconveniences is to be eſteemed the leſſer.
SALV. Apply not I pray you this term of inconvenience to a
thing which poſſibly may of neceſſity be ſo. It was an
ence to place the Earth in the centre of the Cœleſtial revolutions;
but ſeeing you know not to which part he would incline, I
ſteeming him to be a man of great judgment, let us examine
which of the two choices is the more rational, and that we will
hold that Ariſtotle would have received. Reaſſuming therefore our
diſcourſe from the beginning, we ſuppoſe with the good liking of
Ariſtotle, that the World (of the magnitude of which we have
no ſenſible notice beyond the fixed ſtars) as being of a ſpherical
thing which poſſibly may of neceſſity be ſo. It was an
ence to place the Earth in the centre of the Cœleſtial revolutions;
but ſeeing you know not to which part he would incline, I
ſteeming him to be a man of great judgment, let us examine
which of the two choices is the more rational, and that we will
hold that Ariſtotle would have received. Reaſſuming therefore our
diſcourſe from the beginning, we ſuppoſe with the good liking of
Ariſtotle, that the World (of the magnitude of which we have
no ſenſible notice beyond the fixed ſtars) as being of a ſpherical