Natural Philosophy

Since, therefore, we have sufficiently discussed the nature of place, and it is necessary that a vacuum, if it has a subsistence, should be place deprived of body, and we have shown how place subsists, and how it does not subsist; this being the case, it is evident that a … Read more

In order however to understand which of the assertions are true it is necessary to consider what the name signifies. A vacuum therefore appears to be a place in which there is nothing. But the cause of this is that they fancied being to be body; but everybody is in … Read more

After the same manner we must conceive, that it is the business of a natural philosopher to speculate concerning a vacuum, weather it is or not, and how it subsists, or what it is; just as concerning place: for it is attended with similar incredibility, and the belief in it … Read more

And on this account the middle of the heavens, and the extremity of the circular motion which is toward us, appear to be especially common to all things, this above, and that beneath; because the one always abides; and the extremity of the circle also abides, possessing a sameness of … Read more

What, however, place is, will become evident as follows: but let us admit concerning it such things as appear to be truly present with it essentially. First, then, we should think that place comprehends that of which it is the place, and that it is not anything of that which … Read more

In the next place let us consider in how many ways one thing is in another. In one way, then, as a finger in the hand, and in short, as a part in the whole. In another way, as the whole in the parts: for the whole is not without … Read more

But since one thing is predicated essentially, and another according to something else; with respect to place also one is common in which all bodies are contained, but another proper in which anything primarily subsists. I mean for instance, you are now in the universe, because you are in the … Read more

It is dubious, however, if place is what it is, whether it is a certain bulk of body, or some other nature: for in the first place its genus is to be investigated. It has, therefore, three intervals, length, breadth, and depth, by which everybody is bounded. It is, however, … Read more

That there is such a thing, therefore, as place, appears to be evident from alternate mutation: for where water now is, here, on its departure, as from a vessel, air will again be contained; but sometimes some other body will occupy this very place. But this appears to be different … Read more

In like manner it is necessary that the natural philosopher should know concerning place, as well as concerning the infinite, whether it is or not, and in what manner it is, and what it is: for all men conceive that beings are somewhere; since non-being is nowhere: for where is … Read more