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which we do not see is the upper. For right in anything is, as we say, the
region in which locomotion originates, and the rotation of the heaven
originates in the region from which the stars rise. So this will be the right, and
the region where they set the left. If then they begin from the right and move
round to the right, the upper must be the unseen pole. For if it is the pole we
see, the movement will be leftward, which we deny to be the fact. Clearly
then the invisible pole is above. And those who live in the other hemisphere
are above and to the right, while we are below and to the left. This is just the
opposite of the view of the Pythagoreans, who make us above and on the right
side and those in the other hemisphere below and on the left side; the fact
being the exact opposite. Relatively, however, to the secondary revolution, I
mean that of the planets, we are above and on the right and they are below
and on the left. For the principle of their movement has the reverse position,
since the movement itself is the contrary of the other: hence it follows that we
are at its beginning and they at its end. Here we may end our discussion of the
distinctions of parts created by the three dimensions and of the consequent
differences of position.
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3
Since circular motion is not the contrary of the reverse circular motion, we
must consider why there is more than one motion, though we have to pursue
our inquiries at a distance-a distance created not so much by our spatial
position as by the fact that our senses enable us to perceive very few of the
attributes of the heavenly bodies. But let not that deter us. The reason must be
sought in the following facts. Everything which has a function exists for its
function. The activity of God is immortality, i.e. eternal life. Therefore the
movement of that which is divine must be eternal. But such is the heaven, viz.
a divine body, and for that reason to it is given the circular body whose nature
it is to move always in a circle. Why, then, is not the whole body of the
heaven of the same character as that part? Because there must be something at
rest at the centre of the revolving body; and of that body no part can be at rest,
either elsewhere or at the centre. It could do so only if the body’s natural
movement were towards the centre. But the circular movement is natural,
since otherwise it could not be eternal: for nothing unnatural is eternal. The
unnatural is subsequent to the natural, being a derangement of the natural
which occurs in the course of its generation. Earth then has to exist; for it is
earth which is at rest at the centre. (At present we may take this for granted: it
shall be explained later.) But if earth must exist, so must fire. For, if one of a
602
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book The Complete Aristotle"
The Complete Aristotle
- Title
- The Complete Aristotle
- Author
- Aristotle
- Date
- ~322 B.C.
- Language
- English
- License
- PD
- Size
- 21.0 x 29.7 cm
- Pages
- 2328
- Keywords
- Philosophy, Antique, Philosophie, Antike, Dialogues, Metaphysik, Metaphysics, Ideologie, Ideology, Englisch
- Categories
- Geisteswissenschaften
- International
Table of contents
- Part 1; Logic (Organon) 3
- Categories 4
- On Interpretation 34
- Prior Analytics, Book I 56
- Prior Analytics, Book II 113
- Posterior Analytics, Book I 149
- Posterior Analytics, Book II 193
- Topics, Book I 218
- Topics, Book II 221
- Topics, Book III 237
- Topics, Book IV 248
- Topics, Book V 266
- Topics, Book VI 291
- Topics, Book VII 317
- Topics, Book VIII 326
- On Sophistical Refutations 348
- Part 2; Universal Physics 396
- Physics, Book I 397
- Physics, Book II 415
- Physics, Book III 432
- Physics, Book IV 449
- Physics, Book V 481
- Physics, Book VI 496
- Physics, Book VII 519
- Physics, Book VIII 533
- On the Heavens, Book I 570
- On the Heavens, Book II 599
- On the Heavens, Book III 624
- On the Heavens, Book IV 640
- On Generation and Corruption, Book I 651
- On Generation and Corruption, Book II 685
- Meteorology, Book I 707
- Meteorology, Book II 733
- Meteorology, Book III 760
- Meteorology, Book IV 773
- Part 3; Human Physics 795
- On the Soul, Book I 796
- On the Soul, Book II 815
- On the Soul, Book III 840
- On Sense and the Sensible 861
- On Memory and Reminiscence 889
- On Sleep and Sleeplessness 899
- On Dreams 909
- On Prophesying by Dreams 918
- On Longevity and the Shortness of Life 923
- On Youth, Old Age, Life and Death, and Respiration 929
- Part 4; Animal Physics 952
- The History of Animals, Book I 953
- The History of Animals, Book II translated 977
- The History of Animals, Book III 1000
- The History of Animals, Book IV 1029
- The History of Animals, Book V 1056
- The History of Animals, Book VI 1094
- The History of Animals, Book VII 1135
- The History of Animals, Book VIII 1150
- The History of Animals, Book IX 1186
- On the Parts of Animals, Book I 1234
- On the Parts of Animals, Book II 1249
- On the Parts of Animals, Book III 1281
- On the Parts of Animals, Book IV 1311
- On the Motion of Animals 1351
- On the Gait of Animals 1363
- On the Generation of Animals, Book I 1381
- On the Generation of Animals, Book II 1412
- On the Generation of Animals, Book III 1444
- On the Generation of Animals, Book IV 1469
- On the Generation of Animals, Book V 1496
- Part 5; Metaphysics 1516
- Part 6; Ethics and Politics 1748
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book I 1749
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book II 1766
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book III 1779
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book IV 1799
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book V 1817
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book VI 1836
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book VII 1851
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book VIII 1872
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book IX 1890
- Nicomachean Ethics, Book X 1907
- Politics, Book I 1925
- Politics, Book II 1943
- Politics, Book III 1970
- Politics, Book IV 1997
- Politics, Book V 2023
- Politics, Book VI 2053
- Politics, Book VII 2065
- Politics, Book VIII 2091
- The Athenian Constitution 2102
- Part 7; Aesthetic Writings 2156