So much having become clear to us, we say that we find, among bodies
generated from the Four Elements,[7] such as moves, not by constraint,
in two kinds of motion between which there is more or less difference:
The one kind inherent in its element by reason of the supremacy over
it of the power of one of its constituents, and thus decreeing its
motion towards the position in space naturally appointed for it, as for
example a man’s moving by the nature of the preponderating[8] heavy
element in his body downwards; nor will this kind of the motions of
bodies be found to take place save in one direction and with a constant
tendency; The second kind of motion going against the decree of its
element, which decree is either rest in the natural position as soon
as it reaches that position, as for example a man’s moving his body
along its natural home which is the Earth’s surface; or else a moving
away from the natural position when already separated from it, like
a flying bird’s motion with its heavy body high up through the sky.
It has thus been made manifest [to the reader] that the two motions
have two accounting causes, and that they are quite different one from
the other: the one is called Natural, and the second called Soul or
Spiritual Faculty. Hence it is quite sound, as to motion, to affirm
the existence of spiritual faculties.
Whereas, in respect of Perception, because that bodies exist with this
in common, viz. that they are bodies, and with this in distinction,
viz. that they are repeatedly perceptive, it is quite manifest by the
first (preceding) process of discrimination that perception will not
ever differ from bodies through difference of their substance, but by
certain powers or faculties borne within those bodies. It therefore
becomes quite clear by this sort of exposition that spiritual faculties
have an existence: and this is what we wished to demonstrate.
FOOTNOTES:
[6] Reality of existence; or its whereabouts. Doctor S. Landauer thinks
that the word ayniyyat in the text must be wrong, because nowhere
throughout this section is the «Whereabout» of the mental powers so
much as hinted at; whereas the burden of the whole chapter is to prove
merely that such powers do exist, i.e., their inniyyat, which is a
word used by Arab Logicians.
[A] A Why and Wherefore moving it. Note the difference between
sabab and `illah. _Transcriber addition:_ sabab (سبب) and `illat
(علّة): Sabab means the general conditions that are conducive to
something occuring, whereas `illat is the reason in cause-and-effect.
Traditionally, `illat is used in logic or medicine, whereas sabab would
be more likely to be heard in common speech.
[B] Ditto.
[7] The four elements: earth, air, fire, water.
[8] Here Ibn Sînâ seems to have had a rather clear premonition of
Newton’s Theory of Gravitation, seven hundred years before the falling
of the famous apple.
SECTION SECOND
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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