,,plato',s ,,doctr9e    ,,respect+ ,,!  
,,rotation ,,( ,,! ,,e>?1    ,,&        
,,ari/otle',s ,,comm5t ,,^u ,,t         
,,doctr9e4      ,,by ,,george ,,grote1  
,,esq4      ,,london3  ,,john ,,murray1 
,,albem>le ,,/reet4  #ahfj4    ,! "r (  
,translation is res]v$4      ,,london3  
,,pr9t$ ,,by ,,william ,,cl[es ,,&      
,,sons1 ,,/am=d ,,/reet1  ,,& ,,*>+     
,,cross4          ,,exam9ation ,,( ,,!  
,,?ree ,,foll[+ ,,que/ions3--    #a4    
,,:e!r ,,! ,,doctr9e ,,( ,,! ,,e>?',s   
,,rotation ,,is ,,affirm$ ,,or  ,,impli$
 ,,9 ,,! ,,platonic ,,tim,,u8    #b4    
,,if ,,affirm$ ,,or ,,impli$1 ,,9 ,,:at 
,,s5se8    #c4 ,,:at ,,is ,,! ,,cosmical
 ,,function ,,:i* ,,plato ,,assigns ,,to
 ,,! ,,e>?  ,,9 ,,! ,,tim,,u8           
,,preface4    ,! foll[+ pap] 0 orig9ally
 int5d$ z an explanatory note  on !     
,platonic ,timu1 9 ! "w :i* ,i am n[    
prep>+ on  ,plato & ,ari/otle4          
,int]pret+1 diff]5tly f o!rs1 !  mu*    
debat$ passage 9 :i* ,plato describes ! 
cosmical  function ( ! ,e>?1 ,i f\nd x  

indisp5sable to give my reasons  = ?is  
new view4 ,b ,i soon discov]$ t ^?      
reasons c\ld  n be compris$ )9 ! limits 
( a note4 ,accord+ly ,i "h  publi% !m 9 
a sep>ate ,diss]tation4 ,! mann] 9 :i* !
  ,e>?'s rotation 0 conceiv$1 illu/rates
 ! sci5tific  "* ( ! ,platonic &        
,ari/otelian age1 z contra/$ )  !       
subsequ5t developm5t & improvem5t (     
a/ronomy4          ,,plato--,,on ,,!    
,,e>?',s ,,rotation4      ,9 ,plato1    
,timu1 p4 #dj ,b1 we read ! foll[+      
words--,greek3  ,gn de trophon men      
7mete_/ran1 ei7llome_/nn de p]i ton  dia
 pantos po_/lon tetame_/non phu_/laka   
kai dmi\rgon nukto_/s  te kai 7me_/ras  
e7m*an_/sato1 pr_/tn kai presbuta_/tn   
!n1  o7_/soi e7ntos ou7ra_/n\           
gego_/nasi4 ,i give ! text z x /&s  9   
,/allbaum's edition4    ,! obscurity (  
?is passage is amply atte/$ by ! num]\s 
diff]5ces ( op9ion to :i* x has giv5    
rise1 bo? 9 anci5t  & 9 mod]n times4    
,v>i\s contempor>ies ( ,plato 7,greek3  
e7_/nioi--,ari/ot4 ,de ,coelo1 ,,ii4    

#ac1 p4 #bic b4 #cj7 und]/ood x  z      
ass]t+ or imply+ ! rotatory movem5t ( ! 
e>? 9 !  c5tre ( ! ,kosmos1 & adh]$ to  
?is doctr9e z _! own4  ,ari/otle himself
 alludes to ^! contempor>ies )\t nam+   
!m1 & adopts _! int]pretation ( !       
passage2 b diss5ts  f ! doctr9e1 &      
proce$s to impugn x by argum5ts4 ,cic]o 
m5tions 7,academic ,,ii4 #ci7 t !re 7   
p]sons :o believ$  ,plato to h indicat$ 
! same doctr9e obscurely1 9 8  ,timaeus3
 ?is passage mu/ und\bt$ly be meant4    
,plut>* devotes  a critical *apt] to !  
enquiry1 :at 0 ,plato's real doctr9e  z 
to ! cosmical function ( ! e>?--its     
movem5t or re/  7,quae/ion4 ,platonic4  
,,vii4 #c1 p4 #ajjf47    ,!re exi/s a   
treatise1 9 ,doric dialect1 entitl$     
,greek3  ,ti_/maio9999 t ,lo_/kr ,p]i   
,psu*as ,ko_/sm kai  ,phu_/sios1 :i* is 
usually publi%$ along ) ! works (       
,plato4  ,?is treatise 0 suppos$ 9      
anci5t times to be a g5u9e production  (
 ! ,lokrian ,timaeus1 :om ,plato        
introduces z 8 spokesman 9 !  dialogue s

 call$4 ,z su*1 x 0 consid]$ to be ( mu*
  au?ority 9 settl+ que/ions (          
int]pretation z to !  ,platonic         
,timaeus4 ,b mod]n critics hold1 ,i     
believe unanim\sly1  t x is ! "w ( "s   
lat] ,py?agorean or ,platoni/1  exc]pt$ 
or copi$ f ! ,platonic ,timaeus4 ,?is   
treatise  repres5ts ! e>? z be+ 9 !     
c5tre & at re/4 ,b its  language1       
besides be+ d>k & metaphorical1 dep>ts  
widely f  ! phraseology ( ! ,platonic   
,timaeus3 especially 9 ?is--t  x makes  
no m5tion ( ! cosmical axis1 nor ( ! ^w 
,greek3 i7llome_/nn or ,greek3          
ei7l\me_/nn4    ,alex&] ( ,aphrodisias  
7z we le>n f ,simplikius ad ,ari/ot4    
,de ,coelo1 fol4 #abf7 foll[$ !         
con/ruction ( ,plato giv5 by  ,ari/otle4
 ,x 0 improbable 7he said7 t ,ari/otle  
c\ld be  ignorant ei!r :at ! ^w         
signifi$1 or :at 0 ,plato's  purpose    
7,greek3 a7lla t ,a7ri/ote_/lei1 phsin1 
ou7_/t  le_/gonti i7_/lle/hai1 ou7k     
eu7_/logon a7ntile_/ge92 7s  a7l?s gar  
ou7_/te ts le_/xes to sma9o_/m5on ei7kos

 7n  a7gnoein au7ton1 ou7_/te ton       
,pla_/tnos skopo_/n4 ,?is passage is  n 
giv5 9 ! ,s*olia ( ,br&is74 ,alex&]     
!re=e  con/ru$ ,greek3 i7llome_/nn z    
mean+ or imply+ rotatory  movem5t1 ?\gh 
9 s do+ he p]v]t$ 7s ,simplikius says7 !
  true mean+ to make x consonant ) 8 own
 suppositions4    ,proklus ma9ta9s t    
,ari/otle has int]pret$ ! passage       
errone\sly1--t ,greek3 i7llome_/nn is   
equival5t to ,greek3  sphiggome_/nn or  
,greek3 xune*ome_/nn--& t ,plato int5ds 
by x to affirm ! e>? z at re/ 9 ! c5tre 
( ! ,kosmos  7ad ,timaeum1 ,book iv41 p4
 #fha ed4 ,s*neid]74 ,simplikius himself
  is greatly p]plex$1 & sc>cely v5tures 
to give a positive  op9ion ( 8 own4 ,on 
! :ole1 he incl9es to believe t  ,greek3
 i7llome_/nn might possibly be und]/ood1
 by sup]ficial  read]s1 s z to signify  
rotation1 ?\gh su* is n its prop]  &    
natural s5se3 t "s ,platoni/s did s     
misund]/& x3  & t ,ari/otle accept$ _!  
s5se = ! sake ( !  argum5t1 )\t int5d+  
himself to c\nt5ance x 7ad ,ari/ot4  ,de

 ,coelo1 p4 #abf74    ,bo? ,proklus &   
,simplikius1 we mu/ recollect1 believ$ 9
 !  g5u95ess ( ! ,doric treatise ascrib$
 to ,timaeus ,locrus4  ,reason+ ^u ?is  
basis1 !y ( c\rse saw1 t if ,ari/otle   
_h correctly int]pret$ ,plato1 ,plato   
himself mu/ h  int]pret$ incorrectly !  
doctr9e ( ,timaeus4 ,!y _h  to ascribe  
wrong con/ruction ei!r to ,plato or to  
,ari/otle3 &  !y c\ld n be> to ascribe x
 to ,plato4    ,alk9\s1 9 8 ,eisagge 7c4
 #ae7 gives ! same int]pretation z      
,proklus4 ,b x is rem>kable t 9 8       
p>aphrase ( !  ,platonic words1 he calls
 ! e>? ,greek3 7me_/ras phu_/lax kai    
nukto_/s3 omitt+ ! significant epi!t    
,greek3 dmi\rgo_/s4    ,9 reg>d to mod]n
 comm5ts ^u ! same disput$ po9t1 ,i ne$ 
only m5tion 7besides ^? ( ,m4 ,c\s91 9 !
 notes ^u 8  translation ( ! ',timu'1 & 
( ,m>t9 9 8 'tudes sur le  ,time'7 !    
elaborate discussion :i* x has receiv$ 9
 ! two  rec5t ,diss]tations ',ueb] die  
kosmis*5 ,sy/eme d] ,grie*51'  by       
,gruppe & ,boeckh4 ,gruppe has          

endeav\r$1 ^u ! evid5ce  ( ?is passage1 
support$ by o!r collat]al pro(s1 to %[  
t ,plato1 t[>ds ! close ( 8 life1 arriv$
 at a belief1  fir/1 9 ! rotation ( !   
e>? r\nd its own axis1 next1 at  ! d\ble
 movem5t ( ! e>?1 bo? rotation &        
translation1  r\nd ! sun z a c5tre 7t   
is1 ! helioc5tric or ,cop]nican  sy/em73
 t ,plato 0 ! fir/ to make ?is discov]y1
 b t  he 0 compell$ to ann\nce x 9 t]ms 
int5tionally equivocal  & obscure1 = fe>
 ( (f5d+ ! religi\s s5tim5ts ( 8        
contempor>ies 7',die kosmis*5 ,sy/eme d]
 ,grie*51 von ,o4 ,f4  ,gruppe1' ,b]l91 
#ahea74 ,to ?is diss]tation ,m4         
,boeckh--!  olde/ z well z ! able/ ( all
 liv+ philologi/s--has  compos$ an      
elaborate reply1 ) 8 usual fulness (    
illu/rative matt] & sobriety ( inf]5ce4 
,op9ions previ\sly  deliv]$ by him 79 8 
e>ly treatises on ! ,platonic &         
,py?agoreian philosophy7 _h be5 call$ 9 
"q by ,gruppe3 he  has n[ re-ass]t$ !m &
 def5d$ !m at l5g?1 ma9ta9+  t ,plato   
always held ! e>? to be /ation>y & !    

sid]eal  sph]e rotatory--& answ]+ or    
ext5uat+ ! argum5ts :i*  po9t to an     
opposite conclusion 7',unt]su*ung5 b]   
das  kosmis*e ,sy/em des ,platon1 von   
,augu/ ,boeckh1' ,b]l91 #aheb74         
,gruppe has fail$ 9 8 purpose ( prov+ t 
,plato adopt$  ei!r ( ! two             
above-m5tion$ doctr9es--ei!r ! rotation 
( ! e>? r\nd its own axis1 or !         
translation ( ! e>?  r\nd ! sun z a     
c5tre4 ,on bo? ^! po9ts ,i concur )     
,boeckh 9 ! negative view4 ,b ?\gh ,i g 
along ) 8 reply  z to its negative      
results1 ,i _c ?9k x satisfactory 9 its 
positive aspect z an exposition ( !     
doctr9e proclaim$ 9 !  ,platonic ,timu3 
nor c ,i admit t ! ma9 argum5t ( ,m4    
,boeckh's treatise is suffici5t to      
support ! inf]5ce :i* he  re/s ^u x4    
,moreov]1 he appe>s to me to set aside  
or expla9  away too lightly ! au?ority (
 ,ari/otle4 ,i agree )  ,alex&] (       
,aphrodisias & ) ,gruppe :o foll[s him1 
9  pron\nc+ ,ari/otle to be a good      
witness1 :5 he decl>es :at  7 ! doctr9es

 proclaim$ 9 ! ,platonic ,timu2 ?\gh ,i 
?9k t ,gruppe has n accurately int]pret$
 ei!r ,timu or  ,ari/otle4    ,! capital
 argum5t ( ,boeckh is z foll[s3 ,!      
,platonic ,timu  affirms1 9 express &   
unequivocal t]ms1 ! rotation ( !  out]  
cele/ial sph]e 7! sid]eal sph]e or      
,aplanes7 9  tw5ty-f\r h\rs1 z br++ ab\t
 & det]m9+ ! succession  ( day & night4 
,:oev] believes ?is _c at ! same "t     
believe t ! e>? revolves r\nd its own   
axis 9 tw5ty-f\r  h\rs1 & t ! succession
 ( day & night is det]m9$  !reby4 ,! "o 
( ^! two affirmations excludes ! o!r2   
&1 z ! fir/ ( ! two is proclaim$1 beyond
 all possibility  ( d\bt1 9 ! ,platonic 
,timu1 s we may be sure t !  second ( ! 
two _c be proclaim$ 9 t same disc\rse4  
,if  any passage !re9 seems to c\nt5ance
 x1 we mu/ look = "s  o!r mode (        
int]pret+ ! passage4    ,?is is ! ma9   
argum5t ( ,m4 ,boeckh1 & also ( ,messrs4
 ,c\s9  & ,m>t94 ,! latt] prote/s aga9/ 
! idea ( imput+ to  ,plato un mlange    
mon/rueux de deux sy/mes incompatibles  

7tudes sur le ,time1 vol4 ii4 p4        
#hf-hh74    ,z appli$ to any p]son      
educat$ 9 ! mod]n a/ronomy1 !  argum5t  
is irresi/ible4 ,b is x equally         
irresi/ible :5  appli$ to ,plato & to   
,plato's "t8 ,i ?9k n4 ,!               
incompatibility :i* appe>s s gl>+ at    
pres5t1 did n  sugge/ itself to him or  
to 8 contempor>ies4 ,to prove ?is we  h 
only to look at ! reason+ ( ,ari/otle1  
:o 79 !  treatise ,de ,coelo1 ii4       
#ac-ad1 p4 #bic4 b4 #cj1 #bif4 a4 #be7  
notices  & controv]ts ! doctr9e ( !     
rotation ( ! e>?1 )  express ref]5ce to 
! foll[]s ( ! ,platonic ,timu--& :o  7if
 we foll[ ! view ( ,m>t97 imputes ?is   
doctr9e )  wilful falsehood to ,plato1 =
 ! purpose ( contemptu\sly  refut+ x p\r
 se donn] le plaisir de la rfut] avec   
dda94  ,grant+ ! view ( ,m4 ,boeckh     
7/ill m t ( ,m>t97 to be  correct1 we   
%\ld f9d ,ari/otle argu+ ?us3--,plato   
affirms  ! diurnal rotation ( ! e>? r\nd
 ! c5tre ( ! cosmical  axis4 ,?is is bo?
 incr$ible1 & incompatible ) 8 own      

di/9ct affirmation t ! sid]eal sph]e    
revolves 9  tw5ty-f\r h\rs4 ,x is a gl>+
 inconsi/5cy t ! same au?or  %\ld affirm
 bo? ! "o & ! o!r4 ,su* w\ld h be5      
,ari/otle's reason+1 on ! hypo!sis :i*  
,i am consid]+2  b :5 we turn to 8      
treatise we f9d t he does n employ  ?is 
argum5t at all4 ,he conte/s ! alleg$    
rotation ( !  e>? ^u totally diff]5t    
argum5ts--*iefly on ! gr\nd t  rotatory 
motion is n natural to ! e>?1 t ! k9d ( 
motion natural to ! e>? is rectil9eal1  
t[>ds ! c5tre2  & he adds v>i\s         
coroll>ies fl[+ f ?is doctr9e :i* ,i    
%all n n[ consid]4 ,at ! close ( 8      
refutation1 he /ates  9 g5]al t]ms t !  
cele/ial appe>ances1 z obs]v$ by        
sci5tific m51 co9cid$ ) 8 doctr9e4      
,h5ce we may pla9ly see t ,ari/otle     
probably did n see  ! incompatibility1  
suppos$ to be s gl>+1 ^u :i* ,m4        
,boeckh's argum5t is f\nd$4 ,to say !   
lea/1 ev5 if he saw x1  he did n consid]
 x z gl>+ & decisive4 ,he w\ld h put  x 
9 ! =egr\nd ( 8 refutation1 if he _h    

detect$ !  gross contradiction ^u :i*   
,m4 ,boeckh insi/s4 ,b ,ari/otle  does n
 /& alone 9 ?is dulness ( vision4 ,among
 ! v>i\s  comm5tators1 anci5t & mod]n1  
:o foll[ him1 discuss+ !  "q n[ be=e u1 
n "o takes notice ( ,m4 ,boeckh's       
argum5t4 ,he himself c]tifies to u ?is  
fact1 claim+ !  argum5t z 8 own1 &      
express+ 8 a/oni%m5t t all !  previ\s   
critics _h pass$ x ov]1 ?\gh employ+ o!r
  reasons mu* weak] to prove ! same     
po9t4 ,we read 9 ,m4  ,boeckh's second  
',comm5tatio de ,platonico ,sy/emate    
,coele/ium  ,globorum et de ,v] ,indole 
,a/ronomi ,philolaic1' ,heidelb]g1      
#ahaj1 p4 #i1 ! foll[+ words3--    ,non 
mov]i tellurem1 ,proclus et ,simplicius 
o/5dunt ex ,phdone4  ,p>um firmum tam5  
argum5tum e/ ex ,phdone ductum ad       
int]pret&um ,timi locum3 nec melius     
alt]um1 quod ,locrus  ,timu1 quem ,plato
 sequi putabatur1 t]ram />e affirmat3   
quia1  ut nup] explicuimus1 non ,plato  
ex ,locro1 s$ p]sonatus ,locrus ex      
,platone1 sua compilavit4 ,at omnium    

firmissionum et c]tissimum  argum5tum ex
 ipso no/ro dialogo sumptum1 adhuc1 quod
 jure  mir]e1 nemo rep]it4 ,et5im1 quum1
 paulo supra1 orbem  /ell>um fix>um1    
quem ,grci ,greek3 a7plan appellant1    
dextrorsum f]ri quotidiano motu ,plato  
/atuebat1 non pot]at  ullum t]r motum   
admitt]e2 quia1 qui hunc admittit1 illum
 non  toll]e non pote/4 7,?is passage   
appe>s aga9 cit$ by ,m4  ,boeckh himself
 9 8 m rec5t diss]tation ',unt]su*ung5  
b] das kosmis*e ,sy/em des ,platon1' p4 
#aa74 ,! writ]s nam$  7p4 #g7 z hav+    
discuss$ ! "q1 omitt+ or disreg>d+  ?is 
mo/ cog5t argum5t1 are names ext5d+ f   
,ari/otle d[n  to ,ruhnk5 & ,idel]4     
,x is hon\rable to ! p5etration ( ,m4   
,boeckh t he %\ld  h po9t$ out1 :at s _m
 previ\s critics _h ov]look$1  t ^! two 
op9ions are sci5tifically incompatible4 
,he  wond]s1 & !re may be good gr\nd =  
wond]+1 h[ x  happ5$ t none ( ^! previ\s
 writ]s 7 aw>e ( !  incompatibility4 ,b 
! fact t x did n occur to !m1 is  n !   
less c]ta91 & is ( ! greate/ mom5t 9    

ref]5ce  to ! "q n[ "u debate2 = we are 
n n[ inquir+  :at is or is n            
sci5tifically true or consi/5t1 b :at 7 
! op9ions ( ,plato4 ,m4 ,boeckh has     
call$ our att5tion to !  fact1 t ^! two 
op9ions are incompatible2 b c we  safely
 assume t ,plato mu/ h p]ceiv$ su*      
incompatibility  betwe5 !m8 ,surely n4  
,! ,py?agoreans ( 8 day did n  p]ceive  
x2 _! cosmical sy/em includ$ bo? !      
revolution (  ! e>? & ! revolution ( !  
sid]eal sph]e r\nd !  c5tral fire1 t5   
revolv+ bodies 9 all 7,ari/otel4        
,metaphysic4  i4 #ce1 p4 #if a4 #aj4 ,de
 ,coelo1 ii4 #ac1 p4 #bic b4 #ba74 ,!y 7
  n aw>e t ! revolutions ( ! "o annull$ 
^? ( !  o!r z to effect1 & t _! sy/em   
?us involv$ ! two  contradictory        
articles1 or mlange mon/rueux1 ( :i*    
,m>t9  speaks s disda9fully4 ,nay1 m1 _!
 oppon5t1 ,ari/otle1  :ile produc+ o!r  
argum5ts aga9/ !m1 nev] po9ts out !     
contradiction4 ,s9ce x did n occur to   
!m1 we c h no  great] difficulty 9      
believ+ t nei!r did x occur to  ,plato4 

,inde$1 ! wond] w\ld r be if ,plato _h  
se5  an a/ronomical incompatibility :i* 
escap$ ! notice bo? (  ,ari/otle & ( _m 
subsequ5t writ]s :o wrote at a "t :5    
a/ronomical !ories _h be5 develop$ &    
comp>$ ) great]  fulness4 ,ev5 ,idel]1 a
 good a/ronom] z well z a good s*ol>1   
?\gh he mu/ surely h kn[n t ,plato      
ass]t$ ! rotation  ( ! sid]eal sph]e 7= 
no man c read ! ',timu' )\t  kn[+ x71   
ascrib$ to him also ! o!r doctr9e       
inconsi/5t  ) x1 n notic+ su*           
inconsi/5cy until ,m4 ,boeckh po9t$  x  
out4    ,x appe>s to me1 !re=e1 t ,m4   
,boeckh has n satisfactorily  made good 
8 po9t--,plato _c h believ$ 9 ! diurnal 
rotation ( ! e>?1 because he            
unque/ionably believ$ 9 !  rotation ( ! 
sid]eal sph]e z caus+ ! succession (    
night  & day4 ,=1 ?\gh ! two doctr9es   
really are incompatible1  yet ! critics 
antec$5t to ,m4 ,boeckh took no notice (
 su*  incompatibility4 ,we _c presume t 
,plato saw :at ,ari/otle  & o!r au?ors1 
ev5 _m writ+ "u a m highly develop$     

a/ronomy1 did n see4 ,we ought r1 ,i    
?9k1 to presume !  contr>y1 unless      
,plato's words di/9ctly atte/ t he did  
see  f>!r ?an 8 successors4    ,n[ let u
 exam9e :at ,plato's words d            
atte/3--,greek3 gn de  trophon men      
7mete_/ran1 ei7llome_/nn 7al4 ,greek3   
ei7lome_/nn1  i7llome_/nn7 ,greek3 de   
p]i ton dia pantos po_/lon  tetame_/non 
phu_/laka kai dmi\rgon nukto_/s te kai  
7me_/ras  e7m*an_/sato1 pr_/tn kai      
presbuta_/tn !n1 o7_/soi e7ntos         
ou7ra_/n\ gego_/nasi4    ,i expla9 ^!   
words z foll[s3--    ,9 ! passage       
imm$iately prec$+1 ,plato _h describ$ ! 
uni=m & un*ang+ rotation ( ! out]       
sid]eal sph]e1 or  ,circle ( ,! ,same1 &
 ! erratic movem5ts ( ! sun1  moon1 &   
planets1 9 ! int]ior ,circles ( !       
,div]se4 ,he n[  expla9s ! situation &  
functions ( ! e>?4 ,be+ ! fir/  & mo/   
v5]able ( ! intra-kosmic deities1 ! e>? 
has !  mo/ important place 9 ! int]ior (
 ! kosmos--! c5tre4 ,x  is pack$1 fa/5$1
 or roll$1 close r\nd ! axis :i*        

trav]ses ! entire kosmos2 & its function
 is to wat* ov] &  br+ ab\t ! succession
 ( night & day4 ,plato conceives  !     
kosmic axis itself z a solid cyl9d]     
revolv+ or turn+  r\nd1 & caus+ !reby ! 
revolution ( ! circumf]5ce or  ! sid]eal
 sph]e4 ,! out] circumf]5ce ( ! kosmos n
  only revolves r\nd its axis1 b obeys a
 rotatory impulse  emanat+ f its axis1 l
 ! sp9n+ ( a teetotum or !  turn+ ( a   
sp9dle4 ,plato 9 ! ,republic illu/rates 
!  cosmical axis by comp>ison ) a sp9dle
 turn$ by ,necessity1  & describes x z  
caus+ by its own rotation ! rotation (  
all ! heav5ly bodies 7,republ4 x4 p4    
#faf1 c4 #fag ,a74 ,greek3 e7k  de tn   
a7_/krn tetame_/non ,a7na_/gks          
a7_/trakton1 di' ou7 pa_/sas            
e7pi/re_/phe/hai tas p]i_/phoras 4 4 4 1
 kuklei/hai de d  /repho_/m5on ton      
a7_/trakton o7_/lon men tn au7tn phoran 
4 4  4 4 /re_/phe/hai de au7ton e7n tois
 ,a7na_/gks g_/nas94#a    ,footnote #a3 
,proklus 9 8 ,comm5t>y on ! ,platonic   
,timu 7p4  #fhb1 ,s*n47 notes ?is       

passage ( ! ,republic z ! prop]         
comp>ison f :i* to int]pret h[ ,plato   
conceiv$ !  cosmical axis4 ,9 _m po9ts  
he expla9s ?is correctly2 b he  omits to
 rem>k t ! axis is expressly describ$ z 
revolv+1  & z caus+ ! revolution ( !    
p]iph]al sub/ance3--    ----,greek3 ton 
de a7_/xona mi_/an !o_/tta sunaggn men  
tn  ke_/ntrn t\ pantos sunektikn de t\  
o7_/l\ ko_/sm\1  k9tikn de tn !i_/n     
p]iphorn1 p]i 7n 7  *orei_/a9999 tn     
o7_/ln1 p]i 7n ai7  a7nakukl_/seis1     
a7ne_/*\san ton o7_/lon ou7ranon19999   
7n kai ,a7_/tlanta dia t\to             
proseir_/kas91 7s  a7_/trepton kai      
a7_/truton e7ne_/rgeian e7_/*\san4 kai  
me_/ntoi  kai to tetame_/non9999        
e7ndei_/knutai9999 tit_/nion ei7nai tn  
mi_/an tau_/tn du_/nam91 tn phr\rtikn ts
  a7nakukl_/ses tn o7_/ln4    ,"h       
,proklus recognises ! efficacy ( ! axis 
9 produc+ &  ma9ta9+ ! revolution ( !   
,kosmos1 b he does n rem>k  t x         
initiates ?is movem5t by revolv+ itself4
 ,! ,greek3  ,!ots1 :i* ,proklus        

ascribes to ! axis1 is inve/$ 9 !  e>?  
pack$ r\nd x1 by ! ,platonic ,timu4     
,n[ ! function :i* ,plato ascribes to ! 
e>? 9 ! passage  ( ! ,timu be=e u is v  
analog\s to t :i* 9 !  ,republic he     
ascribes to ,necessity--! active        
gu>dian%ip ( !  axis ( ! kosmos & !     
ma9t5ance ( its regul> rotation4  ,) a  
view to ! ex]cise ( ?is function1 ! e>? 
is plant$  9 ! c5tre ( ! axis1 ! v root 
( ! kosmic s\l  7,plato1 ,timu1 p4 #cd  
,b74 ,x is ev5 pack$ close r\nd !  axis1
 9 ord] to make sure t ! axis %all n be 
displac$  f its prop] situation &       
direction4 ,! e>? is ?us n  m]ely active
 & influ5tial1 b is really ! *ief       
regulator  ( ! m>* ( ! kosmos1 be+ !    
imm$iate neighb\r &  auxili>y ( ! kosmic
 s\l4 ,su* a function is wor?y ( !  fir/
 & elde/ ( intra-kosmic deities1 z      
,plato calls !  e>?4 ,) p]fect propriety
 he may say t ! e>?1 9 !  ex]cise ( su* 
a function1 is gu>dian & artific] ( day 
&  night4 ,?is is n[ay inconsi/5t ) t   
:i* he says 9  ano!r passage1 t !       

revolutions ( ! out] sid]eal sph]e      
det]m9e day & night4 ,= ^! revolutions (
 ! out]  sid]eal sph]e dep5d ^u !       
revolutions ( ! axis1 :i*  latt] is kept
 9 uni=m position & movem5t by ! e>?    
grasp+ x r\nd its c5tre & revolv+ ) x4  
,! e>? does  n det]m9e days & nights by 
means ( its own rotations1 b  by its    
cont9u$ influ5ce ^u ! rotations ( !     
kosmic axis1  & 7?r\gh ?is latt]7 ^u ^? 
( ! out] sid]eal sph]e4    ,x is        
important to att5d to ! circum/ance la/ 
m5tion$1 &  to und]/& 9 :at s5se ,plato 
admitt$ a rotatory movem5t (  ! e>?4 ,9 
my judgm5t1 ! conception respect+ ! e>? 
&  its functions1 z develop$ 9 !        
,platonic ,timu1 has n be5  consid]$ )  
all its po9ts tak5 toge!r4 ,"o po9t     
among  sev]al1 & t too ! lea/ important 
po9t1 has be5  discuss$ z if x 7 ! :ole1
 because x falls 9 ) !  discussions (   
subsequ5t a/ronomy4 ,?us ,plato admits !
  rotation ( ! e>?1 b he does n admit x 
z produc+ any  effects1 or z ! prim>y   
function ( ! e>?3 x is only an  indirect

 consequ5ce ( ! position :i* ! e>?      
occupies 9  ! dis*>ge ( its prim>y      
function--( keep+ ! cosmical  axis      
/eady1 & ma9ta9+ ! uni=mity ( its       
rotations4 ,if  ! cosmical axis is to   
revolve1 ! e>?1 be+ closely pack$  &    
fa/5$ r\nd x1 mu/ revolve along ) x4 ,if
 ! e>?  /ood /ill1 & resi/$ all rotation
 ( its own1 x w\ld at !  same "t arre/ !
 rotations ( ! cosmical axis1 & ( c\rse 
^? ( ! entire kosmos besides4    ,!     
above is ! int]pretation :i* ,i propose 
( ! passage 9  ! ,platonic ,timu1 & :i* 
,i %all %[ to co9cide )  ,ari/otle's    
comm5t ^u x4 ,messrs4 ,boeckh & ,m>t9   
int]pret  diff]5tly4 ,!y d n adv]t to ! 
s5se 9 :i* ,plato  conceives ! axis ( ! 
kosmos--n z an imag9>y l9e1 b z  a solid
 revolv+ cyl9d]2 & moreov] !y und]/& !  
function assign$ by ! ,platonic ,timu to
 ! e>? 9 a way  :i* ,i _c admit4 ,!y    
suppose t ! function assign$ to  ! e>?  
is n to keep up & regul>ize1 b to )/&  &
 c\nt]vail1 ! rotation ( ! kosmos4 ,m4  
,boeckh  comm5ts ^u ,gruppe1 :o _h said 

7aft] ,idel]7 t :5 !  e>? is call$      
,greek3 phu_/laka kai dmi\rgon nuktos   
kai 7me_/ras1 ,plato mu/ h meant to     
designate "s active  function ascrib$ to
 x1 & n any function m]ely passive or   
negative4 ,i agree ) ,gruppe 9 ?is      
rem>k1 & ,i h  endeav\r$ to po9t out :at
 ?is active function ( ! e>?  is1 9 !   
,platonic !ory4 ,b ,m4 ,boeckh          
7,unt]su*ung51  c41 p4 #fi-gj7          
controv]ts ,gruppe's rem>k1 obs]v+1     
fir/1  t x is en\gh if ! e>? is 9 any   
way necess>y to !  production ( ! giv5  
effect2 secondly1 t if active =ce be    
requir$1 ! e>? 79 ! ,platonic !ory7 does
 ex]cise su*1  by its purely passive    
resi/ance1 :i* is 9 itself an en]getic  
putt+ =? ( p[]4    ,m4 ,boeckh's words  
are3--,es kommt nur d>auf an1 dass er e9
 ,w]k1  e9e ,wirkung1 h]vorbr+t od] zu  
e9] ,wirkung beitrgt1 die  ohne ihn ni*t
 wre3 dann i/ er dur* se9e ,wirksamkeit 
e9  ,w]kmei/] d] ,sa*e1 sey es au* ohne 
active ,?tigkeit1 dur*  bloss passiv5   
,wid]/&1 d] au* e9e m*tige              

,kraft-uss]ung  i/4 ,die ,erde i/       
,w]kmei/]9 d] ,na*t und des ,tages1 wie 
,m>t9 7b4 ii4 p4 #hh7 sehr treff5d sagt 
'p> son n]gique  exi/5ce1 c'e/  dire1 p>
 son immobilit mme3' d5n sie setzt  d]  
tgli*5 ,bewegung des ,himmels be/ndig   
e9e glei*e ,kraft 9  entgeg5gesetzt]    
,ri*tung entgeg54 ,s muss na* dem       
,zusamm5hange ausgelegt w]d53 s me9t es 
,platon kl> und ohne  ,v]hllung53 d5n   
w5ige ,zeil5 vorh] hat er gesagt1 ,na*t 
und  ,tag1 das heis/ e9 ,/]ntag od]     
,zeittag1 sei e9 ,umlauf des  ,kreises  
des ,selbig5--das i/1 e9e tgli*e        
,umkreisung des  ,himmels von ,o/5 na*  
,we/51 wodur* also die ,erde 9 ,/ill/&  
v]setzt i/3 und diese tgli*e ,bewegung  
des ,himmels hat er  im vorh]geh5d5 imm]
 und imm] gelehrt4 4 4 4 4 ,indem       
,platon  die ,erde n5nt ,greek3         
ei7lome_/nn1 ni*t ,greek3 p]i ton       
e7auts po_/lon1 sond]n ,greek3 p]i ton  
dia pantos po_/lon  tetame_/non1 setzt  
er also die tgli*e ,bewegung des        
,himmels  voraus 7p4 #gj-ga74b          

,footnote #b3 ,we are only requir$ to   
%[1 t ! ,e>?  produces a "w or an       
effect1--or contributes to an effect :i*
  w\ld n exi/ )\t su* help3 ! ,e>? is   
!n1 ?r\gh su*  op]ation1 an ,artific] ( 
:at is produc$1 ev5 )\t  any positive   
activity1 by its simply passive         
resi/ance1 :i*  inde$ is 9 itself a     
p[]ful ex]cise ( =ce49999  ,! ,e>? is   
,artific] ( night & day1 accord+ to !   
/rik+  expression ( ,m>t91 'p> son      
n]gique exi/5ce1 c'e/--dire1  p> son    
immobilit mme3' = ! ,e>? opposes1 to !  
diurnal  movem5t ( ! ,heav5s1 a con/ant 
& equal =ce 9 ! opposite  direction4    
,?is explanation mu/ be ! true "o       
requir$  by ! context3 ?is is ,plato's  
mean+1 pla9ly & )\t  disguise3 = he has 
said1 a few l9es be=e1 t ,night & ,day  
7t is1 a sid]eal day1 or day ( "t7 is a 
diurnal revolution  ( ! ,heav5 f ,ea/ to
 ,we/1 :]eby accord+ly ! ,e>? is  assum$
 z at re/3 ,& ?is diurnal movem5t ( !   
,heav5 he has  taught ov] & ov] aga9 9 !
 prec$+ "p ( 8  disc\rse4--,s9ce !re=e  

,plato calls ! ,e>? ,greek3             
ei7lome_/nn1 n ,greek3 p]i ton e7auts   
po_/lon1 b ,greek3  p]i ton dia pantos  
po_/lon tetame_/non1 he implies !reby ! 
diurnal movem5t ( ! ,heav54    ,i n only
 admit b put x 9 ! front ( my own case1 
t  ,plato 9 ! ,timu assumes ! diurnal   
movem5t ( ! cele/ial  sph]e2 b ,i cont5d
 t he also assumes ! diurnal rotation ( 
! e>?4 ,m4 ,boeckh f\nds 8 contr>y      
int]pretation ^u !  unque/ionable tru? t
 ^! two assumptions are inconsi/5t2  &  
^u ! inf]5ce t because ! two _c /&      
toge!r  9 fact1 !re=e !y _c h /ood      
toge!r 9 ! m9d (  ,plato4 ,9 t inf]5ce  
,i h already /at$ t ,i _c  acquiesce4   
,b :ile ,m4 ,boeckh takes s mu* pa9s to 
v9dicate ,plato f  "o contradiction1 he 
unconsci\sly involves ,plato 9 ano!r    
contradiction1 = :i*1 9 my judgm5t1 !re 
is no f\ndation  :atev]4 ,m4 ,boeckh    
affirms t ! function ( ! e>? 79 !       
,platonic ,timu7 is to put =? a great   
=ce ( passive  resi/ance--to oppose     
con/antly1 aga9/ ! diurnal movem5t (  ! 

heav5s1 an equal =ce 9 an opposite      
direction4 ,is x n  pla91 ^u ?is        
supposition1 t ! kosmos w\ld come to a  
/&/ill1 & t its rotation w\ld cease     
altoge!r8 ,z !  e>? is pack$ close or   
fa/5$ r\nd ! cosmical axis1 s1 if  !    
axis endeav\rs to revolve ) a giv5 =ce1 
& ! e>?  resi/s ) equal =ce1 ! effect w 
be t ! two =ces  w de/roy "o ano!r1 & t 
nei!r ! e>? nor ! axis  w move at all4  
,!re w\ld be ! same nullify+ antagonism 
z  if1--rev]t+ to ! analog\s case ( !   
sp9dle & !  v]ticilli 7already allud$   
to7 9 ! t5? book ( !  ,republic1--z if1 
:ile ,anank turn$ ! sp9dle ) a giv5  =ce
 9 "o direction1 ,klo?o 7in/ead ( l5d+  
assi/ance7  7 to apply h] h& to !       
out]mo/ v]ticillus ) equal  =ce (       
resi/ance 9 ! opposite direction 7see   
,reipubl4 x4 p4  #fag ,d74 ,x is pla9 t 
! sp9dle w\ld nev] turn at all4    ,"h1 
!n1 is a grave contradiction atta*+ to !
 view (  ,boeckh & ,m>t9 z to ! function
 ( ! e>?4 ,!y h n1  9 my judgm5t1       
suffici5tly inve/igat$ ! mann] 9 :i*    

,plato repres5ts to himself ! cosmical  
axis3 nor h !y fully  appreciat$ :at is 
affirm$ or impli$ 9 ! debat$ ^w  ,greek3
 ei7lo_/m5on--ei7l\_/m5on--i7llo_/m5on4 
,t ^w has  be5 expla9$ p>tly by ,ruhnk5 
9 8 notes on ,timi ,lexicon1  b /ill m  
by ,buttmann 9 8 ,lexilogus1 s          
accurately &  copi\sly z to leave no?+  
fur!r want+4 ,i accept fully !          
explanation giv5 by ,buttmann1 & h      
foll[$ x ?r\gh\t  ?is article4 ,aft] go+
 ov] _m o!r examples1 ,buttmann comes   
to consid] ?is passage ( ! ,platonic    
,timu2 & he expla9s  ! ^w ,greek3       
ei7lome_/nn or ,greek3 i7llo_/m5n z     
mean+--si* drng5 od] g$rngt w]d5 um die 
,axe3 d4 h4  von all5 ,seit5 h] an die  
,axe4 ,au* lasse man si* das ,praes5s   
ni*t irr53 die ,krfte1 wel*e d5 ,weltbau
 ma*5 und zusamm5  halt51 s9d als       
=tdau]nd ?tig g$a*t4 ,die ,erde drngt   
si*  7ununt]bro*57 an d5 ,pol1 ma*t1    
bildet e9e ,kugel um  ihn4 ,wel*]       
,gebrau* vllig entspri*t dem wona*      
dasselbe  ,v]bum e9 e9wickeln1 e9hll51  

b$eutet4 ,au*  hi] m5gt si* 9 d]        
,vor/ellung e9iges h9zu1 0 auf e9  bieg5
 w9d51 und mitunt] auf e9 dreh5  fhrt3 0
 ab] b]all nur e9 dur* die ,sa*e selb/  
h9zutret5d] ,begriff i/1 p4 #aea4 ,&    
aga91 p4 #aed1 he  gives ! result--t !  
^w has only die ,b$eutung  drng51       
befe/ig51 neb/ d5 davon ausgeh5d5--die  
von dreh51 w9d51 ab] ihm gnzli*  fremd  
s9d1 und nur aus d] ,natur d] ,geg5/nde 
9  e9ig5 ,fll5 als ,neb5g$ank5          
h9zutret54#c    ,footnote #c3 ,to pack  
itself1 or to be pack$1 r\nd  ! axis3 t 
is1 ^u ! axis f all sides4 ,we mu/ n be 
misl$ by ! pres5t t5se3 = ! =ces1 :i*   
compose &  hold toge!r ! /ructure ( !   
univ]se1 are conceiv$ z  cont9u\sly 9   
active op]ation4 ,! ,e>? packs itself1  
or is pack$1 on to ! axis--makes or =ms 
a ball  r\nd ! axis3 :i* corresponds    
fully to t o!r usage (  ! ^w1 9 ! s5se (
 wrapp+ up or swa?+  r\nd4 ,"h too !re  
is a sup]add$ some?+ bl5d$ )  ! idea1   
:i* conducts u to turn+1 w9d+1 &  ?us to
 revolv+3 b ?is is e :]e no?+ m  ?an an 

accessory notion1 sugge/$ by !          
circum/ances ( !  case4 ,! ^w has only !
 mean+1 to pack1 to  fa/5--! s5ses1 to  
w9d1 to revolve1 are  altoge!r =eign to 
x1 & c only be sup]add$ z accessory     
ideas1 9 c]ta9 p>ticul> in/ances1 by !  
special nature (  ! case4    ,9 ^! la/  
words ,buttmann has exactly di/+ui%$ !  
true1  con/ant1 & ess5tial mean+ ( ! ^w1
 f ! casual  accessories :i* become     
conjo9$ ) x by ! special  circum/ances (
 "s peculi> cases4 ,! con/ant & true    
mean+ ( ! ^w is1 be+ pack$ or fa/5$     
close  r\nd1 squeez+ or grasp+ ar\nd4 ,!
 idea (  rotat+ or revolv+ is q =eign to
 ?is  mean+1 b may nev]!less become     
conjo9$ ) x1 9 c]ta9  p>ticul> cases1 by
 accid5tal circum/ances4    ,let u      
illu/rate ?is4 ,:5 ,i say t a body ,a is
  ,greek3 ei7lo_/m5on or ,greek3        
i7llo_/m5on 7pack$ or fa/5$  close r\nd1
 squeez+ or grasp+ ar\nd71 ano!r body   
,b1  ,i affirm no?+ ab\t revolution or  
rotation4 ,?is is an idea  =eign to !   
proposition p] se1 yet capable ( be+    

annex$ or implicat$ ) x "u "s accid5tal 
circum/ances4  ,:e!r 9 any p>ticul> case
 x be s implicat$ or n dep5ds  on ! "q  
,:at is ! nature ( ! body ,b1 r\nd  :i* 
,i affirm ,a to be fa/5$8 #a4 ,x may be 
an oak tree  or a pill>1 firmly plant$ &
 /ation>y4 #b4 ,x may be "s  o!r body1  
mov+1 b mov+ 9 a rectil9e> direction4   
#c4  ,la/ly1 x may be a body rotat+ or  
int5d$ to rotate1 l a  sp9dle1 a spit1  
or ! roll+ cyl9d] ( a ma*9e4 ,9 !  fir/ 
supposition1 all motion is exclud$3 9 ! 
second1  rectil9e> motion is impli$1 b  
rotatory motion is exclud$3 9  ! ?ird1  
rotatory motion is impli$ z a c]ta9     
adjunct4 ,!  body :i* is fa/5$ r\nd     
ano!r1 mu/ %>e ! motion or !  re/ ( t   
o!r4 ,if ! body ,b is a revolv+ cyl9d]1 
& if ,i affirm t ,a is pack$ or fa/5$   
close r\nd  x1 ,i introduce ! idea (    
rotation2 ?\gh only z an accessory  &   
impli$ fact1 9 addition to t :i* !      
proposition  affirms4 ,! body ,a1 be+   
fa/5$ r\nd ! cyl9d]  ,b1 mu/ ei!r       
revolve along ) x & r\nd x1 or x  mu/   

arre/ ! rotation ( ,b4 ,if ! "o         
revolves1 s mu/  ! o!r2 bo? mu/ ei!r    
revolve toge!r1 or /& /ill  toge!r4 ,?is
 is a new fact1 di/9ct f :at is affirm$ 
9  ! proposition1 yet impli$ 9 x or     
capable ( be+ inf]r$  f x ?r\gh         
induction & exp]i5ce4    ,"h we see     
exactly ! position ( ,plato 9 reg>d to !
  rotation ( ! e>?4 ,he does n affirm x 
9 express t]ms1 b  he affirms :at       
implies x4 ,= :5 he says t ! e>? is     
pack$1 or fa/5$ close r\nd ! cosmical   
axis1 he conveys to  u by implication ! 
k ( ano!r & di/9ct fact--t  ! e>? & !   
cosmical axis mu/ ei!r revolve toge!r or
  rema9 /ation>y toge!r--t ! e>? mu/    
ei!r revolve  along ) ! axis or arre/ ! 
revolutions ( ! axis4 ,x is  manife/ t  
,plato does n mean ! revolutions ( !    
axis (  ! kosmos to be arre/$3 !y are   
absolutely ess5tial to !  s*eme ( !     
,timu--!y are ! gr& motive-ag5cy ( !    
kosmos4 ,he mu/1 !re=e1 mean to imply t 
! e>? revolves  along ) & ar\nd !       
cosmical axis4 ,& ?us ! ^w ,greek3      

ei7lo_/m5on or ,greek3 i7llo_/m5on1     
accord+ to ,buttmann's  doctr9e1 becomes
 accid5tally conjo9$1 ?r\gh !           
specialities  ( ?is case1 ) an accessory
 idea ( rotation or  revolution2 ?\gh t 
idea is =eign to its con/ant &  natural 
mean+4    ,n[ if we turn to ,ari/otle1  
we %all f9d t he und]/ood !  ^w ,greek3 
ei7lo_/m5on or ,greek3 i7llo_/m5on1 & ! 
proposition ( ,plato1 exactly 9 ?is     
s5se4 ,"h ,i am compell$  to dep>t f    
,buttmann1 :o affirms 7p4 #aeb71 ) an   
expression  ( a/oni%m5t1 t ,ari/otle    
misund]/ood ! proposition (  ,plato1 &  
int]pret$ ,greek3 ei7lo_/m5on or ,greek3
  i7llo_/m5on z if x meant directly z   
well z inconte/ably1  rotat+ or revolv+4
 ,proklus1 9 8 ,comm5t>y on  ! ,timu1 _h
 be=e rais$ ! same controv]sy )         
,ari/otle--,greek3 i7llome_/nn de1 tn   
sphiggome_/nn dloi  kai sune*ome_/nn ou7
 gar 7s ,a7ri/ote_/ls oi7_/etai1 tn     
k9\me_/nn 7,procl4 p4 #fha74 ,let u1    
!re=e1 exam9e !  passages ( ,ari/otle   
out ( :i* ?is difficulty arises4    ,!  

passages are two1 bo? ( !m 9 ! second   
book ,de ,coelo2  "o 9 cap4 #ac1 ! o!r 9
 cap4 #ad 7p4 #bic b4 #cj1 #bif a4 #be74
    #a4 ,! fir/ /&s--,greek3 e7_/nioi de
 kai keime_/nn 7tn  gn7 e7pi t\ ke_/ntr\
 phasin au7tn i7_/lle/hai p]i ton  dia  
pantos tetame_/non po_/lon1 7_/sp] e7n t
 ,timai_/9999  ge_/graptai49999 ,su* is 
! read+ ( ,bekk] 9 ! ,b]l9 edition3  b  
he gives v>i\s read+s ( two diff]5t     
,,mss4--! "o hav+  ,greek3 i7_/lle/hai  
kai k9ei/hai--! o!r ei7lei/hai9999  kai 
k9ei/hai4    #b4 ,! second /&s1 beg9n+  
*ap4 #ad--;,greek3 7meis de  le_/gm5    
prton po_/t]on 7! e>?7 ,greek3 e7_/*ei  
ki_/ns9  7 me_/nei2 ka?a_/p] gar        
ei7_/pom51 oi7 men au7tn e7n tn  a7_//rn
 poi\s91 oi7 d' e7pi9999 t\ me_/s\      
!_/ntes i7_/lle/hai kai k9ei%ai_/ phasi 
p]i ton po_/lon me_/son4    ,n[1 9 !    
fir/ ( ^! two passages1 :]e ,ari/otle   
simply  br+s ! doctr9e to view )\t any  
comm5t1 he expressly  ref]s to ! ,timu1 
& !re=e quotes ! expression ( t         
dialogue )\t any enl>gem5t4 ,he         

und\bt$ly und]/&s !  affirmation (      
,plato--t ! e>? 0 fa/5$ r\nd !  cosmical
 axis--z imply+ t x rotat$ along ) !    
rotations ( t axis4 ,ari/otle ?us       
con/rues ,greek3  i7_/lle/hai1 9 t      
p>ticul> proposition ( ! ,timu1  z      
imply+ rotation4 ,b he pla9ly did n     
con/rue ,greek3  i7_/lle/hai z naturally
 & con/antly ei!r d5ot+ or  imply+      
rotation4 ,?is is prov$ by 8 language 9 
! second  passage1 :]e he reproduces ! v
 same doctr9e ) a view to  discuss &    
confute x1 & )\t special ref]5ce to !   
,platonic ,timu4 ,"h we f9d t he is n   
satisfi$ to express  ! doctr9e by ! s+le
 ^w ,greek3 i7_/lle/hai4 ,he subjo9s    
ano!r v]b--,greek3 i7_/lle/hai kai      
k9ei/hai3 ?us br++  into explicit       
enunciation ! fact ( rotatory movem5t1  
:i*1  :ile ,greek3 i7_/lle/hai /ood     
alone1 0 only kn[n by  implication &    
inf]5ce f ! circum/ances ( !  p>ticul>  
case4 ,if he _h suppos$ ,greek3         
i7_/lle/hai by itself  to signify       
revolv+ ! addition ( ,greek3 k9ei/hai   

w\ld h be5 useless1 unmean+1 & ev5      
imp]t95t4  ,ari/otle1 z ,boeckh rem>ks1 
is n giv5 to multiply words             
unnecess>ily4    ,x ?us appe>s1 :5 we   
exam9e ! passages ( ,ari/otle1 t  he    
und]/ood ,greek3 i7_/lle/hai q 9        
con=mity )  ,buttmann's explanation4    
,rotatory movem5t =ms no "p ( !  mean+ (
 ! ^w2 yet x may accid5tally1 9 a       
p>ticul>  case1 be impli$ z an adjunct (
 ! mean+1 by virtue ( !  special        
circum/ances ( t case4 ,ari/otle        
describes !  doctr9e z held by "s       
p]sons4 ,he d\btless has 9 view  v>i\s  
,platoni/s ( 8 "t1 :o adopt$ & def5d$   
:at _h  be5 orig9ally advanc$ by ,plato 
9 ! ,timu4    ,m4 ,boeckh1 9 a          
discussion ( "s l5g? 7,unt]su*4 p4      
#gf-hd71  ma9ta9s ! op9ion t ! read+ 9 !
 fir/ passage (  ,ari/otle is incorrect2
 t ! two words ,greek3 i7_/lle/hai  kai 
k9ei/hai ought to /& 9 ! fir/ z !y d 9 !
  second1--z he ?9ks t !y /ood 9 ! copy 
( ,simplikius3  t ,ari/otle only made   
ref]5ce to ,plato ) a view to !  peculi>

 ^w ,greek3 i7_/lle/hai1 & n to ! g5]al 
doctr9e ( ! rotation ( ! e>?3 t he      
comm5ts ^u ?is  doctr9e z held by o!rs1 
b n by ,plato--:o 7accord+ to  ,boeckh7 
0 kn[n by ev]yone n to hold x4 ,m4      
,boeckh gives ?is  only z a conjecture1 
& ,i _c reg>d 8 argum5ts 9 support  ( x 
z conv9c+4 ,b ev5 if he _h conv9c$ me t 
,greek3  i7_/lle/hai kai k9ei/hai 7 !   
true read+ 9 ! fir/  passage1 z well z 9
 ! second1 ,i %\ld m]ely say t          
,ari/otle _h n ?\ght himself preclud$ by
 ! ref]5ce to  ! ,timu f br++ out into  
explicit enunciation :at !  ,platoni/s  
:om he _h 9 view knew to be impli$ &    
int5d$ by  ! passage4 ,?is inde$ is a   
loose mode ( citation1 :i* ,i  %all n   
ascribe to ,ari/otle )\t good evid5ce4  
,9 !  pres5t case su* evid5ce appe>s to 
me want+4#d    ,footnote #d3 ,exactness 
( citation is n always to be reli$ on   
among anci5t comm5tators4 ,simplikius   
cites ?is v passage (  ! ,timu ) m ?an  
"o inaccuracy4--7ad ,ari/ot4 ,de ,coelo1
  fol4 #abe47    ,m4 ,m>t9 attributes to

 ,ari/otle some?+ m ?an improp]         
citation4 ,he says 7tudes sur le ,time1 
vol4 ii4 p4 #hg71 ,si  ,ari/ote citait  
l'op9ion de la rotation de la t]re comme
 un  titre de gloire p\r ,platon1 je    
dirais--il e/ probable que la  vrit l'y 
a =c4 ,mais ,ari/ote1 qui admettait     
l'immobilit  complte de la t]re1        
attribue  ,platon l'op9ion contraire1   
p\r se donn] le plaisir de la rfut] avec
 dda94 ,a few  l9es be=e1 ,m4 ,m>t9 _h  
said t ! argum5ts :]eby  ,ari/otle      
combat$ ?is op9ion ascrib$ to ,plato 7 v
  feeble4 ,i am at a loss to imag9e 9   
:i* ( ,ari/otle's phrases  ,m4 ,m>t9    
f9ds any trace ( disda9 or contempt1    
ei!r = !  doctr9e or = ^? :o held x4 ,= 
my "p1 ,i f9d none4 ,!  argum5ts (      
,ari/otle aga9/ ! doctr9e1 :atev] be _! 
probative =ce1 are deliv]$ 9 t brief1   
calm1 dry mann]  :i* is usual ) him1 )\t
 a ^w ( s5tim5t or rhetoric1  or any?+  
,greek3 e7_/x t\ pra_/gmatos4 ,inde$1   
among all  philosoph]s :o h writt5 mu*1 
,i "k none :o is less op5  to ! reproa* 

( m+l+ p]sonal s5tim5t ) argum5tative   
debate ?an ,ari/otle4 ,plato indulges   
frequ5tly 9 irony1 or  sne]+1 or        
rhetorical invective2 ,ari/otle v r>ely4
  ,moreov]1 ev5 ap>t f ! "q ( contempt1 
! "p :i*  ,m4 ,m>t9 "h assumes ,ari/otle
 to be play+1 is among !  /range/       
anomalies 9 ! hi/ory ( philosophy4      
,ari/otle holds1  & is anxi\s to        
demon/rate1 ! doctr9e ( ! e>?'s         
immobility2 he kn[s 7s we are requir$ to
 believe7 t ,plato  n only holds ! same 
doctr9e1 b has expressly affirm$ x 9  ! 
,timu3 he might h produc$ ,plato z an   
au?ority 9 8  fav\r1 & ! passage ( !    
,timu z an express decl>ation2  yet he  
pref]s to p]v]t1 kn[+ly & delib]ately1 !
 mean+  ( ?is passage1 & to cite ,plato 
z a ho/ile in/ead ( a  fri5dly          
au?ority--simply to give himself !      
pleasure (  contemptu\sly refut+        
,plato's op9ion6 ,b ?is is n all4 ,m4   
,m>t9 tells u t ! argum5ts :i* ,ari/otle
 produces  aga9/ ! doctr9e are1 aft]    
all1 v feeble4 ,b he f>!r  tells u t !re

 0 "o argum5t :i* might h be5  produc$1 
& :i*1 if ,ari/otle _h produc$ x1 w\ld h
  convict$ ,plato ( an enorm\s          
contradiction 7p4 #hh7 9  affirm+ t !   
e>? revolv$ r\nd ! cosmical axis4       
,ari/otle might h said to ,plato--,y h  
affirm$1 & y  assume p]petually ?r\gh\t 
! ,timu1 ! diurnal revolution  ( ! out] 
sid]eal sph]e2 y n[ ass]t ! diurnal     
revolution ( ! e>? at ! c5tre4 ,"h is an
 enorm\s  contradiction2 ! two _c /&    
toge!r4--,yet ,ari/otle1  hav+ ?is      
triumphant argum5t 9 8 h&s1 says n a ^w 
ab\t x1 b cont5ts himself ) v>i\s o!r   
argum5ts :i*  ,m4 ,m>t9 pron\nces to be 
v feeble4    ,p]haps ,m4 ,m>t9 might    
say--,! contradiction exi/s2 b          
,ari/otle 0 n %>psight$ en\gh to p]ceive
 x2 o!rwise he  w\ld h advanc$ x4 ,i am 
q ( ?is op9ion4 ,if ,ari/otle  _h       
p]ceiv$ ! contradiction1 he w\ld h      
br\ght x =w>d  z ! /ronge/ po9t 9 8     
controv]sy4 ,8 sil5ce is to me a  pro( t
 he did n p]ceive x4 ,b ?is is a "p ( my
 case  aga9/ ,m4 ,m>t94 ,i believe t    

,plato admitt$ bo? ! two  contradictory 
doctr9es )\t p]ceiv+ ! contradiction2 & 
x is a /rong presumption 9 fav\r ( ?is  
view t ,ari/otle  equally fail$ to      
p]ceive x--?\gh 9 a case :]e1 accord+   
to ,m4 ,m>t91 he did n scruple to resort
 to di%one/ artifice4    ,x appe>s to me
 t ! difficulties & anomalies1 9 :i* we 
are involv$ f suppos+ t ,ari/otle ei!r  
misund]/ood or  p]v]t$ ! mean+ (        
,plato--are f> grav] ?an ^? :i*  w\ld   
arise f admitt+ t ,plato advanc$ a      
complicat$  !ory involv+ two            
contradictory propositions1 9 ! same    
dialogue1 )\t p]ceiv+ ! contradiction2 m
 especially  :5 ! l failure ( p]ception 
is indisputably ascribable to           
,ari/otle--^u e view ( ! case4    ,m4   
,c\s9 ma9ta9s ! same int]pretation ( !  
,platonic  passage z ,boeckh & ,m>t91 & 
def5ds x by a note on 8  translation ( !
 ,timu 7p4 #cci74 ,! five argum5ts :i*  
he  produces are consid]$ bo? by himself
 & by ,m>t9 to be  unansw]able4 ,z he   
puts !m ) great neatness & t]s5ess1 ,i  

"h be/[ ^u !m a sep>ate exam9ation4     
#a4 ,platon a t\j\rs t considr dans     
l'antiquit comme  p>tisan de l'immobilit
 absolue de la t]re4 ,m4 ,c\s9 _h  be=e 
said1 ,ari/ote se fonde sur ce passage  
p\r tablir que  ,platon a fait t\rn] la 
t]re sur elle-mme3 mais ,ari/ote e/1    
dans l'antiquit1 le seul qui s\ti5ne    
cette op9ion4    ,my reply is1 t        
,ari/otle is himself a portion & memb] (
  antiquity1 & t ! v>i\s ,platoni/s1 :om
 he und]takes to  refute1 are portions (
 x also4 ,if ,m4 ,c\s9 appeals to !     
au?ority ( antiquity1 x mu/ be to       
antiquity1 n m]ely  m9us ,ari/otle & ^! 
contempor>y ,platoni/s1 b  aga9/ !m4 ,n[
 ^! are j ! witnesses :o _h !  be/ means
 ( k4 ,besides :i*1 ,ari/otle himself1  
adopt+ & anxi\s to demon/rate !         
immobility ( ! e>?1  _h e motive to cite
 ,plato z a support]1 if ,plato 0       
su*--& e motive to avoid cit+ ,plato z  
an oppon5t1 unless  ! tru? ( ! case     
compell$ him to d s4 ,i mu/ "h add1 t   
,m4 ,c\s9 repres5ts ,ari/otle z ascrib+ 

to ,plato ! doctr9e  t la t]re t\rne sur
 elle-mme4 ,?is is n /rictly exact4     
,ari/otle und]/&s ! ,platonic ,timu z   
say+1 ,t !  e>? is pack$ & mov$ r\nd !  
axis ( ! kosmos--a  diff]5t proposition4
    #b4 ,dans plusieurs endroits de ses 
ouvrages o ,platon p>le de  l'quilibre  
de la t]re1 il ne dit pas un mot de sa  
rotation4    ,i "k ( only "o su*        
passage--,phdon1 p4 #ajh--:]e  und\bt$ly
 ,plato does n speak ( ! rotation ( !   
e>?2 b  nei!r does he speak ( ! rotation
 ( ! sid]eal sph]e &  ( ! kosmos--nor ( 
! axis ( ! kosmos4 ,x is ! figure &     
prop]ties ( ! e>?1 consid]$ 9 ref]5ce to
 mank9d :o  inhabit x1 t ,plato sket*es 
9 ! ,phdon2 he takes little  notice (   
its cosmical relations1 & gives no g5]al
 !ory  ab\t ! kosmos4 ,m4 ,c\s9 has n   
adv]t$ to ! t5? ,book (  ! ,republic1   
:]e ,plato does prop\nd a cosmical !ory1
  expressly symbolis+ ! axis ( ! kosmos 
) its rotatory  functions4    #c4 ,si la
 t]re suit le m\vem5t de l'axe du monde1
 le  m\vem5t de la huitime sphre1 qui e/

 ,le ,mme1 devi5t nul p>  rapport  elle1
 et les toiles fixes1 qui app>ti5n5t    
elle1  demeur5t en app>5ce dans une     
immobilit absolue3 ce qui e/  contraire 
l'expri5ce et au s5s commun1 et         
l'op9ion  de ,platon1 exprime dans ce   
mme passage4    ,?is ?ird argum5t ( ,m4 
,c\s9 is ! same z t :i* ,i h  already   
exam9$ 9 rem>k+ ^u ,m4 ,boeckh4 ,!      
diurnal rotation  ( ! e>? _c /& 9 ! same
 a/ronomical sy/em ) !  diurnal rotation
 ( ! sid]eal sph]e4 ,inconte/ably true  
7,i  h already said7 z a po9t ( sci5ce4 
,b ! "q "h  is1 n :at op9ions are       
sci5tifically consi/5t1 b :at  op9ions 7
 held by ,plato1 & :e!r he detect$ !    
inconsi/5cy betwe5 ! two4 ,i h %[n      
gr\nds = believ+  t he did n--& n he    
alone1 b _m o!rs along ) him1  ,ari/otle
 among ! numb]4 ,h[1 inde$1 c ?is be    
d5i$1 :5  we f9d ,m4 ,boeckh ann\nc+ t  
he is ! fir/ among all  ! critics on !  
,timu1 :o has br\ght =w>d !  inconsi/5cy
 z a special gr\nd = det]m9+ :at        
,plato's  op9ion 0--t no o!r critic be=e

 him _h notic$ x8    ,! fir/ words ( ?is
 argum5t des]ve p>ticul> att5tion1 ,si  
la t]re suit le m\vem5t de l'axe du     
monde4 ,"h we h an  exact recital ( !   
doctr9e proclaim$ by ! ,platonic ,timu1 
& ascrib$ to him by ,ari/otle 7q diff]5t
 f !  doctr9e que la t]re t\rne sur     
elle-mme74 ,m4 ,c\s9 "h  speaks v       
di/9ctly ab\t ! cosmical axis1 & ab\t   
its  movem5t2 ?us imply+ t ,plato       
conceiv$ x z a solid  revolv+ cyl9d]4   
,?is1 9 my judgm5t1 is ! mo/ ess5tial   
po9t = cle>+ up ! "q 9 debate4 ,!       
cosmical axis  be+ ( ?is "*1 :5 ,plato  
affirms t ! e>? is  pack$ or fa/5$ r\nd 
x 7se r\le--,c\s93 se  s]re et          
s'enr\le--,m>t93 drngt si*1 ma*t e9e    
,kugel  um ihn--,buttmann71 ,i ma9ta9 t1
 9 ! pla9e/  con/ruction ( ! ^w1 ! e>?  
does & mu/ foll[ !  movem5t ( ! axis--or
 arre/ ! movem5t ( ! axis4 ,! ^w        
,greek3 ei7lome_/nn or ,greek3          
i7llome_/nn has no di/9ct  mean+ at all1
 if x does n mean ?is4 ,! v synonyms    
7,greek3 sphiggome_/nn1 p]id$eme_/nn1   

c471 :i* !  comm5tators produce to prove
 t ,plato describes ! e>? z at  re/1 d  
really prove t he describes x z rotat+  
r\nd &  ) ! cosmical axis4 ,we ought n  
to be driv5 f ?is pla9  mean+ ( ! ^w1 by
 ! assurance ( ,m4 ,c\s9 & o!rs t       
,plato _c h meant s1 because x w\ld     
involve him 9 an  a/ronomical           
inconsi/5cy4    #d4 ,les div]s m\vem5s  
des huit sphres expliqu5t t\tes les     
app>5ces cle/es2 il n'y a donc aucune   
raison p\r donn] un  m\vem5t  la t]re4  
,! t]ms ( ?is f\r? argum5t1 if lit]ally 
con/ru$1 w\ld  imply t ,plato _h devis$ 
a complete & satisfactory  a/ronomical  
!ory4 ,i pass ov] ?is po9t1 & con/rue !m
 z  ,m4 ,c\s9 probably int5d$3 8 argum5t
 w !n /&  ?us--,! movem5t ( ! e>? does n
 add any?+ to ,plato's  p[] ( expla9+   
a/ronomical appe>ances2 !re=e ,plato _h 
no motive to sugge/ a movem5t ( ! e>?4  
,i h already specifi$ ! s5se 9 :i* ,i   
und]/& !  ,platonic ,timu to affirm1 or 
r to imply1 ! rotation ( !  e>?2 & t    
s5se is n op5 to ! objections rais$ 9   

,m4  ,c\s9's f\r? & fif? argum5ts4 ,!   
rotation ( ! e>?1 z  x appe>s 9 !       
,platonic ,timu1 expla9s no?+1 & is n   
int5d$ to expla9 any?+4 ,x is a         
consequ5ce1 n a cause3 x  is a          
consequ5ce aris+ f ! position ( ! e>?1 z
 pack$  or fa/5$ r\nd ! c5tre ( !       
cosmical axis1 :]eby !  e>? p>ticipates1
 ( necessity & z a matt] ( c\rse1 9 !   
movem5ts ( t axis4 ,! function ( ! e>?1 
?us  plant$ 9 ! c5tre ( ! kosmos1 is to 
uphold & regulate !  revolutions ( !    
cosmical axis2 & ?is function expla9s1 9
  ! s*eme ( ! ,platonic ,timu1 :y ! axis
 revolves uni=mly  & con/antly )\t *ange
 or displacem5t4 ,n[ ^u ^!  revolutions 
( ! cosmical axis all ! revolutions ( ! 
ext]ior sph]e dep5d4 ,?is is admitt$ by 
,m4 ,c\s9 himself  9 argum5t #c4 ,!re is
 !re=e e reason :y ,plato %\ld  assign  
su* regulat+ function to ! e>?1 ! fir/ &
  olde/ ( intra-kosmic deities4 ,!      
movem5t ( ! e>? 7z ,i  be=e obs]v$7 is  
only an incid5tal consequ5ce ( !        
position  necess>y = ! e>? to occupy 9  

p]=m+ su* function4    #e4 ,enf9 ,platon
 assigne un m\vem5t aux toiles fixes1 et
 deux  m\vem5s aux plantes2 puisqu'il ne
 range la t]re ni avec les  unes ni avec
 les autres1 il y a lieu de croire      
qu'elle ne  p>ticipe  aucun de leurs    
m\vem5s4    ,9 s f> z ?is argum5t is    
well-f\nd$1 x /r5g!ns my case  m ?an t (
 ,m4 ,c\s94 ,! e>? does n p>ticipate 9 !
  movem5ts ei!r ( ! fix$ />s or ( !     
planets2 b x does  p>ticipate 9 !       
revolutions ( ! cosmical axis1 ^u :i*   
^! movem5ts dep5d--! movem5ts ( ! out]  
sph]e1 :olly  & exclusively--! movem5ts 
( ! planets1 to a v great  degree1 b n  
exclusively4 ,! e>? is n rank$ ei!r     
among  ! fix$ />s or among ! planets2 x 
is a body or deity sui  g5]is1 hav+ a   
special c5tral function ( its own1 to   
regulate t cosmical axis :i* impels !   
:ole sy/em4 ,!  e>? has a motion ( its  
own1 r\nd & along ) ! cosmical  axis to 
:i* x is atta*$2 b ?is motion ( ! e>?   
7,i w  aga9 repeat1 to prev5t           
misappreh5sion7 is a fact n important   

by itself1 nor expla9+ any?+4 ,! gr& &  
capital fact is  ! c5tral position &    
regulat+ function ( ! e>?1 :]eby  all ! 
cosmical motions1 fir/ ^? ( ! axis1 next
 ^? (  ! ext]ior kosmos1 are upheld &   
kept uni=m4    ,m4 ,c\s9 adds1 z a six? 
argum5t3--    ,on peut aj\t]  ces       
raisons que ,platon aurait ncessairem5t 
insi/ sur le m\vem5t de la t]re1 s'il   
l'avait admis2 et que  ce po9t toit trop
 controv]s de son temps et trop         
important en  lui-mme1 p\r qu'il ne ft  
que l'indiqu] en se s]vant d'une        
expression quivoque4    ,9 ! fir/ place1
 grant+ ,plato to h believ$ 9 ! motion  
( ! e>?1 c we also assume t he w\ld     
necess>ily h  ass]t$ x ) di/9ctness &   
emphasis1 z ,m4 ,c\s9 cont5ds8  ,i ?9k  
n4 ,gruppe ma9ta9s exactly ! contr>y2   
tell+ u  t ,plato's language 0          
int5tionally obscure &  equivocal--f fe>
 ( putt+ himself 9 op5 conflict ) !     
pi\s & or?odox s5tim5t preval5t ar\nd   
him4 ,i d n c>ry  ?is "p ( ! case s f> z
 ,gruppe1 b ,i admit t x re/s  ^u a     

f\ndation ( reality4 ,:5 we read        
7,plut>*1 ,de ,facie 9  ,orbe ,lun1 p4  
#ibc7 h[ ! motion ( ! e>?1 z affirm$ by 
,ari/>*us ( ,samos 7d\btless 9 a f> l>g]
 s5se ?an ,plato  ev] imag9$1 includ+   
bo? rotation & translation71 0  aft]w>ds
 d5\nc$ z gl>+ impiety1 we und]/& !     
atmosph]e ( religi\s op9ion ) :i* ,plato
 0 surr\nd$4  ,& we also p]ceive t he   
might h reasons = pref]r+ to  indicate  
an a/ronomical h]esy 9 t]ms suitable =  
philosophical he>]s1 r ?an to proclaim x
 9 su* emphatic  unequivocal words1 z   
might be quot$ by "s future ,meltus 9   
case ( an indictm5t be=e ! ,dika/s4     
,we mu/ rememb] t ,plato _h be5 actually
 pres5t at ! trial  ( ,sokrates4 ,he _h 
he>d ! /ress laid by ! accus]s on       
a/ronomical h]esies1 analog\s to ^? (   
,anaxagoras1 :i*  !y imput$ to          
,sokrates--& ! pa9s tak5 by ! latt] to  
d5y t he held su* op9ions 7see !        
,platonic ,apology74 ,!  impression left
 by su* a sc5e on ,plato's m9d 0 n      
likely to  pass away3 nor c we be       

surpris$ t he pref]r$ to use            
propositions :i* involv$ & impli$1 r ?an
 ^? :i*  directly & undisguis$ly ass]t$1
 ! h]etical doctr9e ( !  e>?'s rotation4
 ,t 8 phraseology1 h[ev] indirect1 0    
p]fectly und]/ood by contempor>y        
philosoph]s1 bo? ass5ti5t  & diss5ti5t1 
z embody+ 8 belief 9 ! doctr9e--is      
atte/$ by ! two passages ( ,ari/otle4   
,^u ^! reasons alone ,i %\ld diss5t f   
,m4 ,c\s9's six?  argum5t4 ,b ,i h o!r  
reasons besides4 ,he re/s x ^u !  two   
allegations t ! doctr9e ( ! e>?'s motion
 0 !  subject ( mu* controv]sial debate 
9 ,plato's "t1 & ( great  importance 9  
itself4 ,n[ ! fir/ ( ^! two allegations 
c  h>dly be prov$1 z to ! "t ( ,plato2 =
 ,ari/otle1 :5 he  is ma9ta9+ ! e>?'s   
immobility1 does n specify any o!r      
oppon5ts ?an ! ,py?agoreians & ! foll[]s
 ( ! ,platonic  ,timu4 ,& ! second      
allegation ,i believe to be unf\nd$1    
speak+ ) ref]5ce to ! ,platonic ,timu4  
,9 ! cosmical  sy/em !re9 embodi$1 !    
rotation ( ! e>? r\nd !  cosmical axis1 

?\gh a real "p ( ! sy/em1 0 9 itself a  
fact ( no importance1 & det]m9+ no      
results4 ,! capital  fact ( ! sy/em 0 ! 
position & function ( ! e>?1  pack$     
close r\nd ! c5tre ( ! cosmical axis1 & 
regulat+  ! revolutions ( t axis4 ,plato
 _h no motive to br+  prom95tly =w>d !  
circum/ance t ! e>? revolv$  itself     
along ) ! cosmical axis1 :i* circum/ance
 0 only  an incid5tal accompanim5t4     
,i h ?us exam9$ all ! argum5ts adduc$ by
 ,m4 ,c\s91  & h endeav\r$ to %[ t !y   
fail 9 e/abli%+ 8  conclusion4 ,!re is1 
h[ev]1 "o po9t ( ! controv]sy 9  :i* ,i 
concur ) him m ?an ) ,boeckh & ,m>t94   
,?is  po9t is ! prop] conception ( :at  
,plato means by !  cosmical axis4       
,boeckh & ,m>t9 seem to assume ?is ^u  !
 analogy ( :at is n[ spok5 ( z ! axis ( 
! e>?3 ,m4  ,boeckh 7p4 #ac7 decl>es !  
axis ( ! kosmos to be a  prolongation ( 
t axis4 ,b x appe>s to me 7& ,m4 ,c\s9's
  language indicates ! same7 t ,plato's 
conception 0 some?+  v diff]5t4 ,! axis 
( ! e>? 7:at a/ronom]s speak (  z su*7  

is an imag9>y l9e trav]s+ ! c5tre ( !   
e>?2  a l9e r\nd :i* ! e>? revolves4 ,n[
 ! cosmical axis1 z  ,plato conceives x1
 is a solid mat]ial cyl9d]1 :i* n only  
itself revolves1 b causes by ?is        
revolution ! revolution (  ! ext]ior    
circumf]5ce ( ! kosmos4 ,?is is a       
conception  entirely diff]5t f t :i* we 
mean :5 we speak ( !  axis ( ! e>?4 ,x  
is1 h[ev]1 a conception symbolically    
enunciat$ 9 ! t5? book ( ! ,republic1   
:]e ! sp9dle (  ,necessity is said to be
 compos$ ( adamant1 h>d & solid         
mat]ial1 & to cause by its own rotation 
! rotation ( all !  v]ticilli pack$ &   
fa/5$ ar\nd x4 ,:at is ?us  enunciat$ 9 
! ,republic is impli$ 9 ! ,timu4 ,= :5  
we  read !re9 t ! e>? is pack$ or fa/5$ 
r\nd !  cosmical axis1 h[ c we und]/& x 
to be pack$ or fa/5$  r\nd an imag9>y   
l9e8 ,i w add t ! v same mean+ is       
br\ght out 9 ! translation (            
,cic]o--trajecto axe  su/9etur 7t]ra74  
,! axis1 r\nd :i* ! e>? is  fa/5$1 & :i*
 su/a9s ! e>?1 mu/ be conceiv$1 n z  an 

imag9>y l9e1 b z a solid cyl9d]1 itself 
revolv+2  :ile ! e>?1 be+ fa/5$ r\nd x1 
revolves r\nd & along  ) x4 ,! axis1 9 !
 s5se ( an imag9>y l9e1 _c be  f\nd 9 ! 
conception ( ,plato4    ,^?             
contempor>ies ( ,plato & ,ari/otle1 :o  
all agre$ 9  ass]t+ ! revolution ( !    
cele/ial sph]e1 did n all  agree 9 _!   
idea ( ! =ce :]eby su* revolution 0     
br\ght ab\t4 ,"s ?\ght t ! poles ( !    
cele/ial sph]e  ex]cis$ a det]m9+ =ce3  
o!rs symbolis$ ! my?ical  ,atlas1 z an  
axis trav]s+ ! sph]e f pole to pole &   
turn+ x r\nd4 7,ari/otel4 ,de ,motu     
,animal4 #c4 p4 #fii a4 #ae-cj47        
,ari/otle himself advocat$ ! !ory ( a   
primum mov5s  immobile act+ ^u ! sph]e f
 )\t ! sph]e4 ,ev5  9 ! succe$+         
c5turies1 :5 a/ronomy 0 m develop$1     
,aratus1 ,erato/h5es1 & _! comm5tators1 
diff]$ 9  _! way ( conceiv+ ! cosmical  
axis4 ,mo/ ( !m consid]$  x z solid3 b (
 ^!1 "s ?\ght x 0 /ation>y1 )  ! sph]e  
revolv+ r\nd x--o!rs t x revolv$ itself3
  aga91 among ^! latt]1 "s believ$ t !  

revolutions (  ! axis det]m9$ ^? ( !    
surr\nd+ sph]e--o!rs1 t  ! revolutions (
 ! sph]e caus$ ^? ( ! axis )9 x4  ,aga91
 !re 7 "s physical philosoph]s :o look$ 
at !  axis z airy or spiritual--,greek3 
to dia me_/s\ ts sphai_/ras  dikon      
pneuma4 ,!n !re 7 geomet]s :o conceiv$ x
 only  z an imag9>y l9e4 7,see !        
,pha5om5a ( ,aratus #bj-be--)  ! ,s*olia
 !reon2 ,a*illes ,tatius ad ,arati      
,pha5om4 apud  ,petavium--,uranolog4 p4 
#hh2 also ,hipp>*us ad ,arat4 ib4 p4    
#add47 ,i  d n g into ^! diss5ti5t      
op9ions f>!r ?an to %[1  h[ indisp5sable
 x is1 :5 we con/rue ! passage 9 !      
,platonic ,timaeus1 ,greek3 p]i ton dia 
pantos po_/lon  tetame_/non1 to enquire 
9 :at s5se ,plato und]/ood !  cosmical  
axis3 & h[ unsafe x is to assume at once
 t he mu/  h conceiv$ x z an imag9>y    
l9e4    ,proklus argues t because ! e>? 
is m5tion$ by ,plato 9 !  ,phdon z      
/ation>y 9 ! c5tre ( ! heav51 we _c     
imag9e ,plato to affirm its rotation 9 !
 ,timu4 ,i agree )  ,m4 ,boeckh 9 ?9k+  

?is argum5t inconclusive2 all ! m1      
because1 9 ! ,phdon1 n a ^w is said ei!r
 ab\t ! axis  ( ! kosmos1 or ab\t !     
rotation ( ! kosmos2 all t  ,sokrates   
pr(esses to give is ,greek3 tn i7de_/an 
ts gs kai  t\s to_/p\s au7ts9999 7p4    
#ajh ,e74 ,no cosmical sy/em or !ory  is
 prop\nd$ 9 t dialogue4    ,:5 we turn  
to ! ,phdrus1 we f9d t1 9 its highly    
poetical  description1 ! rotation ( !   
heav5 occupies a prom95t  place4 ,!     
int]nal circumf]5ce ( ! heav5ly sph]e1 z
 well  z its ext]nal circumf]5ce or back
 7,greek3 nton71 are  m5tion$2 also its 
p]iodical rotations1 dur+ :i* ! gods    
are c>ri$ r\nd on ! back ( ! heav51 &   
contemplate !  et]nal ,ideas occupy+ !  
sup]-cele/ial space 7p4 #bdg1 #bdh71  or
 ! pla9 ( tru?4#e ,b ! purpose ( ?is    
poetical  repres5tation appe>s to be    
metaphysical & intellectual1 to         
illu/rate ! anti!sis pres5t$ by ! _w (  
,ideas &  ,tru? on "o side--aga9/ t (   
s5se & appe>ances on !  o!r4            
,a/ronomically & cosmically consid]$1 no

  intelligible mean+ is convey$4 ,nor c 
we ev5 det]m9e  :e!r ! rotations ( !    
heav51 allud$ to 9 ! ,phdrus1  are      
int5d$ to be diurnal or n2 ,i incl9e to 
believe n  7,greek3 me_/*ri ts e7te_/ras
 p]io_/d\--p4 #bdh--:i*  c h>dly be     
und]/ood ( s %ort a "t z "o day74       
,la/ly1  no?+ is said 9 ! ,phdrus ab\t !
 cosmical axis2 & x is  ^u ?is t !      
rotations ( ! e>? intimat$ 9 ! ,timu    
dep5d4    ,footnote #e3 ,:e!r ,greek3   
,e7/i_/a 9 ! ,phdrus1 :i* is  said to   
rema9 alone /ation>y 9 ! h\se ( ! ,gods1
 c be  held to mean ! ,e>?1 is consid]$ 
by ,proklus to be unc]ta9  7p4 #fha74   
,among ! diff]5t illu/rations1 giv5 by  
,plato 9 8 diff]5t  dialogues respect+ !
 t]re/rial & cele/ial bodies1 ,i  select
 ! t5? book ( ! ,republic z t :i* is mo/
  suitable = comp>ison ) ! ,timu1       
because x is only  !re9 t we le>n h[    
,plato conceiv$ ! axis ( ! kosmos4  ,m4 
,boeckh 7,unt]su*ung51 p4 #hf7 wi%es u  
to reg>d !  diff]5ce betwe5 ! view tak5 
9 ! ,phdon1 & t 9 !  ,republic1 z no way

 important2 he affirms t ! adamant9e    
sp9dle 9 ! ,republic is altoge!r my?ical
 or poetical1 &  t ,plato conceives !   
axis z n be+ mat]ial4 ,on ?is po9t  ,i  
diss5t f ,m4 ,boeckh4 ,! my?ical        
illu/rations 9 ! t5?  book ( ! ,republic
 appe> to me q unsuitable to ! !ory  (  
an imag9>y1 /ation>y1 & immat]ial axis4 
,"h ,i mu* m  agree ) ,gruppe 7p4 #ae1  
#bf-bi71 :o recognises ! solid  mat]ial 
axis z an ess5tial feature ( ! cosmical 
!ory 9  ! ,republic2 & recognises also !
 m>k$ diff]5ce betwe5  t !ory & :at we  
read 9 ! ,phdon4 ,yet1 ?\gh ,gruppe is  
aw>e ( ?is important diff]5ce betwe5 !  
,republic & !  ,phdon1 he /ill wi%es to 
illu/rate ! ,timu by ! latt] &  n by !  
=m]4 ,he affirms t ! e>? 9 ! ,timu is   
conceiv$ z unatta*$1 & freely susp5d$1 !
 same z 9 !  ,phdon2 b t 9 ! ,timu x is 
conceiv$1 besides1 z  revolv+ on its own
 axis1 :i* we d n f9d 9 ! ,phdon 7p4    
#bh1 #bi74 ,"h ,i ?9k ,gruppe is mi/ak54
 ,9 con/ru+ ! words  ( ,timu1 ,greek3   
ei7lome_/nn 7i7llome_/nn7 p]i ton dia   

pantos po_/lon tetame_/non1 z designat+ 
! unatta*$ e>?  revolv+ r\nd its own    
axis1 he does viol5ce n less to !  text 
( ,plato ?an to ! expository comm5t (   
,ari/otle4 ,nei!r  9 ! "o nor ! o!r is  
any?+ said ab\t an axis ( !  e>?2 9 bo?1
 ! cosmical axis is expressly designat$2
  &1 if ,gruppe is "r 9 8 int]pretation 
( ,greek3  ei7lome_/nn1 we mu/ take     
,plato z affirm+1 n t ! e>?  is fa/5$   
r\nd ! cosmical axis1 b t x revolves1   
?\gh  unatta*$1 ar\nd t axis1 :i* is a  
proposition bo?  difficult to und]/&1 & 
lead+ to none ( ^? a/ronomical          
consequ5ces ) :i* ,gruppe w\ld connect  
x4 ,aga91 :5  ,gruppe says t ,greek3    
ei7lome_/nn p]i does n mean  pack$ or   
fa/5$ r\nd1 b t x does mean  revolv+    
r\nd1 he has bo? ! analogies ( ! ^w &  !
 o!r comm5tators aga9/ him4 ,! ma9 pro(1
 if n !  only pro(1 :i* he br+s1 is t   
,ari/otle s con/ru$ x4  ,^u ?is po9t ,i 
jo9 issue ) him4 ,i ma9ta9 t ,ari/otle  
does n und]/& ,greek3 ei7lome_/nn or    
,greek3  i7llome_/nn p]i z naturally    

mean+ revolv+ r\nd1  & t he does und]/& 
! phrase z mean+ fa/5$  r\nd4 ,:5 we f9d
 him1 9 ! second passage ( ! treatise   
,de ,coelo1 n satisfi$ ) ! v]b ,greek3  
i7_/lle/hai  alone1 b add+ to x ! second
 v]b ,greek3 kai  k9ei/hai1 we may be   
sure t he did n consid] ,greek3         
i7_/lle/hai z naturally & prop]ly d5ot+ 
to revolve  or move r\nd4    ,agree+ z  
,i d ) ,gruppe 9 8 view1 t !            
int]pretation  put by ,ari/otle is ! be/
 evid5ce :i* we c foll[ 9  det]m9+ !    
mean+ ( ?is passage 9 ! ,timu1 ,i cont5d
  t ! au?ority ( ,ari/otle contradicts  
in/ead ( ju/ify+  ! conclusion at :i* he
 arrives4 ,ari/otle und]/&s ,greek3     
i7llome_/nn z mean+ pack$ or fa/5$ r\nd2
 he does  n und]/& x z mean+1 :5 tak5 by
 itself1 revolv+  r\nd4    ,! two mean+s
 "h indicat$ are und\bt$ly di/9ct &     
indep5d5t4 ,b !y are n = t reason       
contradictory &  incompatible4 ,x has   
be5 ! mi/ake ( critics to conceive !m  z
 ?us incompatible2 s t if "o ( ! two 7  
admitt$1 !  o!r mu/ be reject$4 ,i h    

endeav\r$ to %[ t ?is is  n univ]sally  
true1 & t !re are c]ta9 circum/ances 9  
:i* ! two mean+s n only may come toge!r1
 b mu/ come  toge!r4 ,su* is ! case :5  
we rev]t to ,plato's conception (  !    
cosmical axis z a solid revolv+ cyl9d]4 
,t :i* is  pack$ or fa/5$ ar\nd ! cyl9d]
 mu/ revolve ar\nd x1 &  along ) x4     
,bo? ,m4 ,boeckh & ,gruppe assume !     
incompatibility ( ! two  mean+s2 & we   
f9d ! same assumption 9 ,plut>*'s       
criticisms  on ! ,timu 7,plut>*4 ,qu/4  
,platon4 p4 #ajjf ,c71 :]e he  discusses
 :at ,plato means by ,greek3 o7_/rgana  
*ro_/n\2 & 9  :at s5se ! e>? z well z ! 
moon c be reckon$ z  ,greek3 o7_/rganon 
*ro_/n\ 7,timu1 p4 #da ,e1 #db ,d74     
,plut>*  inquires h[ x is possible t !  
e>?1 if /ation>y & at  re/1 c be        
*>act]is$ z among ! in/rum5ts ( "t2 &   
he expla9s x by say+ t ?is is true 9 !  
same s5se z we  call a gnomon or        
sun-dial an in/rum5t ( "t1 because1 ?\gh
  itself nev] moves1 x m>ks ! successive
 movem5ts ( !  %ad[4 ,?is explanation   

might be admissible = ! phrase  ,greek3 
o7_/rganon *ro_/n\2 b ,i _c ?9k t !     
immobility ( ! e>? c be made compatible 
) ! attribute  :i* ,plato be/[s ^u x (  
be+ ,greek3 phu_/lax kai  dmi\rgos      
nuktos te kai 7me_/ras4    ,!           
difficulty1 h[ev]1 vani%es :5 we und]/& 
! function  ascrib$ by ,plato to ! e>? z
 ,i h endeav\r$ to elucidate  x4 ,! e>? 
n only is n at re/1 b _c be at re/1     
precisely because x is pack$ r\nd !     
solid revolv+ cosmical  axis1 & mu/     
revolve along ) x4 ,! function ( ! e>?1 
z ! fir/ & olde/ ( intra-kosmic deities1
 is to uphold &  regulate ! revolutions 
( ?is axis1 ^u :i* dep5d !  revolutions 
( ! sid]eal sph]e or out] %ell ( !      
kosmos4  ,x is by virtue ( ?is regulat+ 
function 7& n by virtue (  its rotation7
 t ! e>? is ! gu>dian & artific] (      
night & day4 ,x is n only an in/rum5t ( 
"t1 b !  mo/ pot5t & comm&+ among all   
in/rum5ts ( "t4    ,:at has j be5 /at$  
is1 9 my belief1 ! !ory ( !  ,platonic  
,timu1 signifi$ 9 ! words ( t dialogue1 

&  embodi$ 9 ! comm5t ( ,ari/otle4 ,!   
comm5tators1 subsequ5t  to ,ari/otle1 s 
f> z we "k !m1 und]/ood ! !ory 9 a  s5se
 diff]5t f :at ,plato int5d$4 ,i ?9k we 
may see h[  ?is misconception arose4 ,x 
arose f ! great developm5t &            
elaboration ( a/ronomical !ory dur+ !   
two or ?ree  g5]ations imm$iately       
succe$+ ,plato4 ,mu* 0 add$ by  ,eudoxus
 & o!rs1 9 _! !ory ( conc5tric sph]es3 m
  /ill by o!rs ( :om we read 9 ,cic]o   
7,academ4 ,,ii4 #ci47  ,hicetas         
,syracusius1 ut ait ,!ophra/us1 coelum1 
solem1 lunam1  /ellas1 sup]a d5ique     
omnia1 />e c5set1 neque praet] t]ram    
rem ullam 9 mundo mov]i3 quae cum circum
 axem se summ  cel]itate conv]tat et    
torqueat1 eadem effici omnia1 quae si   
/ante t]r coelum mov]etur4 ,atque hoc   
etiam ,platonem 9 ,timaeo  dic]e quidam 
arbitrantur1 s$ paullo obscurius4 ,!    
same  doctr9e is said to h be5 held by  
,h]akleides ( ,pontus1 !  contempor>y ( 
,ari/otle1 & by o!rs along ) him4       
7,simplikius ad ,ari/ot4 ,physic4 p4    

#fd--;,de ,coelo1 p4 #acb--,plut>*4     
,plac4 ,phil4 ,,iii4 #ac47 ,! doctr9e ( 
! rotation ( ! ,e>?  "h appe>s along )  
ano!r doctr9e--! immobility ( !  sid]eal
 sph]e & ( ! cele/ial bodies4 ,! two are
 pres5t$  toge!r1 z correlative portions
 ( "o & ! same a/ronomical  !ory4 ,!re  
are no cele/ial revolutions1 & !re=e !re
 is  no solid cele/ial axis4 ,moreov]1  
ev5 ,ari/>*us ( ,samos 7:o  atta9$ to a 
!ory sub/antially ! same z ! ,cop]nican1
  ) ! d\ble movem5t ( ! ,e>?1 rotation  
r\nd its own  axis1 & translation r\nd !
 sun z a c5tre7 comes )9 less  ?an a    
c5tury aft] ,plato's dea?4    ,?\gh !   
quidam allud$ to by ,cic]o look$ ^u !   
obscure s5t5ce 9 ,plato's ,timaeus z a  
dim indication ( !  !ory ( ,hicetas1 yet
 ! two agree only 9 ! supposition ( a   
rotation ( ! e>?1 & diff] ess5tially 9 !
 p]vad+  cosmical conceptions4 ,hicetas 
/ates di/9ctly t :i* 8  !ory d5ies1 z   
well z t :i* x affirms4 ,! negation (  !
 cele/ial rotations1 is 9 8 !ory a po9t 
( capital &  coord9ate importance1 on   

:i* he contradicts bo? ,plato &         
,ari/otle z well z ! app>5t evid5ce (   
s5se4 ,i _c  suppose t ?is !ory c h be5 
proclaim$ or kn[n to  ,ari/otle :5 8    
works 7 compos$3 = ! cele/ial           
revolutions are ! key/one ( 8 sy/em1 &  
he c\ld h>dly  h ab/a9$ f combat+ a     
doctr9e :i* d5i$ !m  altoge!r4 ,9 ! h&s 
( ,hicetas 7p]haps 9 ^? (  ,h]akleides1 
if we may believe :at is said ab\t him7 
a/ronomy  appe>s treat$ z a sci5ce by   
itself1 ) a view to provide  su*        
hypo!ses z may save ! ph5om5a 7,greek3  
s_/ze9 ta  pha9o_/m5a1 ,simpl4 ad       
,ari/ot4 ,de ,coelo1 p4 #dih1 ,s*ol4    
,br&is74 ,x becomes deta*$ f ^?         
religi\s1 e?ical1  poetical1            
teleological1 ari?metical decrees or    
fancies1 9 :i*  we see x imm]s$ 9 !     
,platonic ,timaeus1 & ev5 7?\gh  some:at
 less7 9 ! ,ari/otelian ,treatise ,de   
,coelo4 ,h5ce !  mean+ ( ,plato1        
obscurely ann\nc$ f ! beg9n+1 ceas$  to 
be und]/ood3 ! solid revolv+ axis ( !   
,kosmos1 assum$  )\t be+ expressly      

affirm$ 9 8 ,timaeus1 dropp$ out (      
sight3 ! doctr9e ( ! rotation ( ! e>? 0 
pres5t$ 9  a new po9t ( view1 z a       
sub/itute = ! cele/ial  revolutions4 ,b 
no prop] note 0 tak5 ( ?is transition4  
,!  doctr9e ( ,plato 0 assum$ to be !   
same z t ( ,hicetas4    ,:5 we read     
,plut>*'s criticism 7,qu/4 ,plat4 p4    
#ajjf ,c7 ^u  ! ^w ,greek3 i7llome_/nn1 
we see t he puts to himself !  "q       
?us--,does ,plato 9 ! ,timu conceive !  
e>? z  kept toge!r & /ation>y--or z     
turn+ r\nd & revolv+1  agreeably to !   
subsequ5t !ory ( ,ari/>*us & ,seleukus8 
,"h we f9d t ,plut>* conceives !        
alt]native ?us--,ei!r  ! e>? does n     
revolve at all1 or x revolves z         
,ari/>*us  und]/ood x4 ,"o or o!r ( ^!  
two positions mu/ h be5  laid d[n by    
,plato 9 ! ,timu4--,s we read 9 ,plut>*4
 ,b !  fact is1 t ,plato meant nei!r !  
"o nor ! o!r4 ,!  rotation ( ! e>? r\nd 
! solid cosmical axis1 :i* he  affirms 9
 ! ,timu--is a ph5om5on utt]ly diff]5t f
  ! rotation ( ! e>? z a free body r\nd 

! imag9>y l9e  call$ its own axis1 :i* 0
 ! doctr9e ( ,ari/>*us4    ,:5          
expositors 9 ,plut>*'s day1 & s9ce 8    
day1 enquir$  :e!r or n ! ,platonic     
,timu affirm$ ! rotation ( !  e>?1 !y   
meant to designate ! rotation ( ! e>? 9 
!  s5se ( ,ari/>*us1 & 9 ! s5se 9 :i*   
mod]n a/ronomy  und]/&s t capital fact4 
,n[ speak+ ! language ( mod]n  a/ronomy1
 ,i ?9k x c]ta9 t ! rotation ( ! e>? is 
n to be f\nd affirm$ 9 ! ,platonic      
,timu2 & ,i  agree ) ,m4 ,boeckh :5 he  
says 7,unt]su*4 p4 #gg71 ,grant+  t     
,ari/otle ascrib$ to ,plato ! doctr9e ( 
! rotation (  ! e>?1 he at lea/ did n   
ascribe to him ! doctr9e z  ,gruppe     
assumes1 & z n[ und]/ood4 ,z betwe5     
,gruppe--:o  holds t ! ,platonic ,timu  
affirms ! rotation ( ! e>?1  & t        
,ari/otle ascribes x to him1 9 our s5se 
( !  words--& ,m4 ,boeckh1 :o d5ies     
?is--,i /& ) ! latt] =  ! negative4 ,b  
:5 ,m4 ,boeckh assumes t ! only         
alt]native  doctr9e is ! immobility ( ! 
e>?1 & tries to %[ t  ?is doctr9e is    

proclaim$ 9 ! ,platonic ,timu--nay1 t no
  opposite doctr9e c be proclaim$1      
because ! disc\rse  expressly ann\nces !
 rotation ( ! sid]eal heav5 9  tw5ty-f\r
 h\rs--,i am compell$ to diss5t f him z 
to !  conclusion1 & to d5y ! cog5cy ( 8 
pro(4 ,m4 ,boeckh has  h>dly ask$       
himself ! "q1 :e!r !re 0 n "s  o!r s5se 
9 :i* ,plato might h affirm$ x 9 !      
,timu4 ,i  h endeav\r$ to %[ t !re 0    
ano!r s5se2 t !re  are good analogies 9 
,plato to ju/ify ! belief t he int5d$   
to affirm ! doctr9e 9 t o!r s5se2 & t ! 
comm5ts  ( ,ari/otle--:ile ?or\ghly     
p]t95t1 if we ?us und]/&  ! passage 9 ! 
,timu--become ei!r irrelevant1 di%one/1 
or  absurd1 if we con/rue ! passage z   
signify+ ei!r :at is  ma9ta9$ by ,m4    
,boeckh or :at is ma9ta9$ by ,gruppe4   
,! em95t critics1 ^: op9ions ,i "h      
controv]t1 h be5  app>5tly misl$ by !   
sup]ior a/ronomical acquirem5ts ( !     
pres5t age1 & h too ha/ily made !       
intellectual exig5cies  ( _! own m9ds a 
/&>d = all o!r m9ds1 9 diff]5t  ages z  

well z 9 diff]5t /ates ( cultivation4 ,!
 "q  be=e u is1 n :at doctr9es are      
sci5tifically true or  sci5tifically    
compatible ) ea* o!r1 b :at doctr9es 7  
affirm$ or impli$ by ,plato4 ,9         
int]pret+ him1 we are requir$  to keep  
our m9ds indep5d5t ( subsequ5t          
a/ronomical  !ories4 ,we mu/ look1 fir/ 
& *iefly1 to :at is said by  ,plato     
himself2 next1 if t be obscure1 to !    
con/ruction &  comm5ts ( 8 contempor>ies
 s f> z !y are be=e u4 ,9 no  case is   
?is m ess5tial ?an 9 ! doctr9e ( !      
rotation  ( ! e>?1 :i* 9 ! mod]n m9d has
 ris5 to its prop]  rank 9 sci5tific    
importance1 & has become connect$ )     
collat]al consequ5ces & associations    
=eign to ! ideas (  ! anci5t            
,py?agoreans1 or ,plato1 or ,ari/otle4  
,unless we  dis5gage ourselves f ^! m   
rec5t associations1 we _c  prop]ly      
und]/& ! doctr9e z x /&s 9 ! ,platonic  
,timu4    ,?is doctr9e1 z ,i h endeav\r$
 to expla9 x1 leads to an  in/ructive   
contra/ betwe5 ! cosmical !ories (      

,plato 79  ! ,timu7 & ,ari/otle4        
,plato conceives ! kosmos z "o animat$ &
 intellig5t be+  or god1 compos$ ( body 
& s\l4 ,its body is mov$ & gov]n$  by   
its s\l1 :i* is fix$ or root$ 9 ! c5tre1
 b /ret*es  to ! circumf]5ce on all     
sides1 z well z all r\nd !  ext]ior4 ,x 
has a p]petual movem5t ( circul>        
rotation 9 !  same un*ang$ place1 :i* is
 ! sort ( movem5t mo/ wor?y (  a        
rational & intellig5t be+4 ,!           
revolutions ( ! ext]ior  or sid]eal     
sph]e 7,circle ( ! ,same7 dep5d on & are
  det]m9$ by ! revolutions ( ! solid    
cyl9d] or axis1 :i*  trav]ses ! kosmos 9
 its :ole diamet]4 ,besides ^!1 !re  are
 v>i\s int]ior sph]es or circles        
7,circles ( !  ,diff]5t71 :i* rotate by 
di/9ct & v>iable impulses 9 a  direction
 opposite to ! sid]eal sph]e4 ,?is latt]
 is s mu*  m p[]ful ?an !y1 t x c>ries  
!m all r\nd ) x2  yet !y make good1 to a
 c]ta9 ext5t1 _! own special  opposite  
movem5t1 :i* causes _! positions to be  
ev]  *ang+1 & ! :ole sy/em to be        

complicat$4 ,b ! gr&  capital1 uni=m1   
ov]p[]+1 movem5t ( ! kosmos1 consi/s  9 
! revolution ( ! solid axis1 :i*        
det]m9es t ( !  ext]ior sid]eal sph]e4  
,! impulse or /imulus to ?is movem5t    
comes f ! cosmical s\l1 :i* has its root
 9 ! c5tre4  ,j at ?is po9t is situat$ !
 e>?1 ! olde/ & mo/  v5]able (          
intra-kosmic deities1 pack$ r\nd ! c5tre
 ( !  axis1 & hav+ = its function to    
gu>d & regulate ^?  revolutions ( !     
axis1 & ?r\gh !m ^? ( ! out]  sph]e1 on 
:i* ! succession ( day & night dep5ds--z
 well  z to nurse mank9d4    ,9 all ?is 
we see t ! rul+ pr9ciple & =ce ( !      
kosmos 7,greek3 to 7gemonikon t\        
ko_/sm\7 is made to  dwell 9 & emanate f
 its c5tre4    ,:5 we come to ,ari/otle1
 we f9d t ! rul+ pr9ciple or  =ce ( !   
kosmos is plac$1 n 9 its c5tre1 b 9 its 
circumf]5ce4 ,he recognises no solid    
revolv+ axis trav]s+  ! :ole diamet] ( !
 kosmos ,! int]ior ( ! kosmos is        
occupi$ by ! f\r elem5ts--e>?1 wat]1    
air1 fire--nei!r (  :i* c revolve except

 by viol5ce or "u ! pressure (          
extrane\s =ce4 ,to ea* ( !m rectil9e>   
motion is  natural2 e>? moves naturally 
t[>ds ! c5tre--fire  moves naturally    
t[>ds ! circumf]5ce1 away f ! c5tre4  ,b
 ! p]iph]al sub/ance ( ! kosmos is      
radically di/9ct  f ! f\r elem5ts3      
rotatory motion 9 a circle is  natural  
to x1 & is ! only v>iety ( motion       
natural to  x4 ,t x is mov$ at all1 x   
owes to a primum mov5s  immobile impell+
 x3 b ! two are coet]nal1 & !  motion   
has nei!r beg9n+ nor end4 ,t :5 mov$1   
its motion  is rotatory & n rectil9e>1 x
 owes to its own nature4 ,x  rotates    
p]petually1 ?r\gh its own nature &      
inh]5t virtue1  n by con/ra9+ pressure  
communicat$ f a c5tre or f a  s\l4 ,if  
con/ra9t 7 requir$--if !re 7 any contr>y
  t5d5cy to be ov]come--! revolv+       
p]iph]y w\ld become  fatigu$1 & w\ld    
require p]iods ( repose2 b1 s9ce 9      
revolv+ x only obeys its own peculi>    
nature1 x p]si/s =  ev] )\t kn[+        
fatigue4 ,?is p]iph]al or fif? ess5ce1  

p]petually revolv+1 is ! div9e1 v5]able1
 & comm&+  portion ( ! kosmos1 m gr& &  
hon\rable ?an ! int]ior  p>ts or !      
c5tre4 ,ari/otle lays ?is d[n 7,de      
,coelo1 ii4 #ac1  p4 #bic1 b4 #aj7 9    
express anti!sis to ! ,py?agoreans1 :o  
7l ,plato7 consid]$ ! c5tre z ! po9t (  
gr&eur &  comm&1 plac+ fire 9 ! c5tre = 
t reason4 ,! e>? has  no positive       
cosmical function 9 ,ari/otle2 x        
occupies ! c5tre  because all its p>ts h
 a natural movem5t t[>ds ! c5tre3  & x  
is unmov$ because !re mu/ be some?+ 9 ! 
c5tre :i* is always /ation>y1 z a       
contr>y or anti!sis to  ! fif? ess5ce or
 p]iph]al sub/ance ( ! kosmos1 :i* is  9
 p]petual rotation by its own immutable 
nature4    ,i d n "h g f>!r into !      
exposition ( ^! anci5t  cosmical !ories4
 ,i h adv]t$ to ,ari/otle's doctr9e only
 s  f> z 0 necess>y to elucidate1 by    
contra/1 t :i* ,i  believe to be ! mean+
 ( ! ,platonic ,timu ab\t !  rotation ( 
! e>?4      ,,london3 ,,pr9t$ ,,by ,w4  
,,cl[es ,,& ,,sons1 ,,/am=d ,,/reet1    

,,& ,,*>+ ,,cross4                      
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999
99999999  ,transcrib]'s ,note    ,! text
 is bas$ on v]sions made available by ! 
,int]net ,ar*ive4    ,= ! ,greek        
transcriptions ! foll[+ conv5tions h be5
 us$3  7 is = smoo? brea?+2 7 = h>d2  = 
dia]esis2 _/ = acute  acc5t2  = grave2  
= circumflex2  = iota subscript4  * is  
us$ = *i1 ph = phi1 ps = psi1 ? = !ta2  
= eta &  = omega2 u is us$ = upsilon 9  
all cases4    ,corrections to ! text1   
indicat$ ) 9999    ,text                
,correction  ,ti_/ma_/i                 
,ti_/maio  *ore_/ia                     
*orei_/a  ou7_/ranon                    
ou7ranon  tetam5on                      
tetame_/non  e7ndeiknutai               
e7ndei_/knutai  =ge                     
=ce  ,tima_/i                           
,timai_/  gegraptai                     
ge_/graptai  e7ilei/hai                 
ei7lei/hai  e7_/pi                      

e7pi  a7uts                      au7ts