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Chapter 21 - The heavens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

R. W. Sharples
Affiliation:
University College London
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Summary

Cicero, On the Nature of the Gods 2.44 (Aristotle, On Philosophy, fr. 24 Rose 1886)

Aristotle, too, is to be praised for judging that all things that move are moved either by nature or by force or by [their own] will. The sun and moon and all the stars move; but things which are moved by nature are carried either downwards by their weight or upwards by their lightness, and neither of these applies to the stars, because their movement is round in a circle. Nor can it be said that some greater force brings it about that the stars move contrary to their nature; for what greater [force] can there be? So what is left is that the movement of the stars is voluntary.

Cicero, Academica Posteriora 1.26

Aristotle thought that there was a fifth kind [of element], from which were stars and minds; it was unique and unlike the four which I mentioned above.

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Peripatetic Philosophy, 200 BC to AD 200
An Introduction and Collection of Sources in Translation
, pp. 180 - 195
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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  • The heavens
  • R. W. Sharples, University College London
  • Book: Peripatetic Philosophy, 200 BC to AD 200
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511781506.027
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  • The heavens
  • R. W. Sharples, University College London
  • Book: Peripatetic Philosophy, 200 BC to AD 200
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511781506.027
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The heavens
  • R. W. Sharples, University College London
  • Book: Peripatetic Philosophy, 200 BC to AD 200
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511781506.027
Available formats
×