Archimedes Texts

25
mean, that as they move to the centre of the Earth, they move to
their Whole, and to their Universal Mother: and we are still far
ther so free, that we will suffer our selves to be perswaded, that

their natural instinct is, not to go towards the centre of the Earth,
but towards that of the Universe; which we know not where to
find, or whether it be or no; and were it granted to be, it is but
an imaginary point, and a nothing without any quality. As to
what Simplicius said last, that the contending whether the parts
of the Sun, Moon, or other cœlestial Body, separated from their
Whole, should naturally return to it, is a vanity, for that the case
is impossible; it being clear by the Demonstrations of Aristotle,
that the cœlestial Bodies are impassible, impenetrable, unparta

ble, &c. I answer, that none of the conditions, whereby Aristo
tle distinguisheth the Cœlestial Bodies from Elementary, hath o
ther foundation than what he deduceth from the diversity of the
natural motion of those and these; insomuch that it being deni
ed, that the circular motion is peculiar to Cœlestial Bodies, and
affirmed, that it is agreeable to all Bodies naturally moveable, it
is behoofull upon necessary consequence to say, either that the
attributes of generable, or ingenerable, alterable, or unalterable,
partable, or unpartable, &c. equally and commonly agree with
all worldly bodies, namely, as well to the Cœlestial as to the E
lementary; or that Aristotle hath badly and erroneously dedu
ced those from the circular motion, which he hath assigned to Cœ
lestial Bodies.

Grave bodies may
more rationally be
affirmed to tend to
the Centre of the
Earth, than of the
Vniverse.

The conditions and
attributes which
differ the cœlestial
bodies from Ele
mentary, depend on
the motions assign
ed them by Arist.

SIMPL. This manner of argumentation tends to the subversi
on of all Natural Philosophy, and to the disorder and subversion
of Heaven and Earth, and the whole Universe; but I believe the
Fundamentals of the Peripateticks are such, that we need not
fear that new Sciences can be erected upon their ruines.

SALV. Take no thought in this place for Heaven or the Earth,
neither fear their subversion, or the ruine of Philosophy. As to
Heaven, your fears are vain for that which you your self hold
unalterable and impassible; as for the Earth, we strive to enoble
and perfect it, whilst we make it like to the Cœlestial Bodies,
and as it were place it in Heaven, whence your Philosophers have
exiled it. Philosophy it self cannot but receive benefit from our

Disputes, for if our conceptions prove true, new Discoveries will
be made; if false, the first Doctrine will be more confirmed.
Rather bestow your care upon some Philosophers, and help and
defend them; for as to the Science it self, it cannot but improve.
And that we may return to our purpose, be pleased freely to pro
duce what presents it self to you in confirmation of that great dif
ference which Aristotle puts between the Cœlestial Bodies, and
the Elementary parts of the World, in making those ingenerable,