The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of Proclus on the first book of Euclid's elements (Vol. 1 of 2) : $b To which are added, A history of the restoration of Platonic theology, by the latter Platonists: And a translation from the Greek of Proclus's Theological elementsProclus
Philosophy
The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of Proclus on the first book of Euclid's elements (Vol. 1 of 2) : $b To which are added, A history of the restoration of Platonic theology, by the latter Platonists: And a translation from the Greek of Proclus's Theological elements
Proclus
Euclid. Elements; Platonists
appear to me to evince that unity and number subsist in opinion: I mean
monadic number[131]. On which account, every number, as the pentad and
the heptad, is one in every soul, and not many; and they are destitute
of figure and adventitious form. But a point openly presents itself in
the phantasy, subsists, as it were, in place, and is material according
to intelligible matter. Unity, therefore, has no position, so far as it
is immaterial, and free from all interval and place: but a point has
position, so far as it appears seated in the bosom of the phantasy,
and has a material subsistence. But unity is still more simple than a
point, on account of the community of principles. Since a point exceeds
unity according to position; but appositions in incorporeals produce
diminutions of those natures, by which the appositions are received.
DEFINITION II.
A Line is a Length without Breadth.
A Line obtains the second place in the Definitions, as it is by far
the first and most simple interval, which the geometrician calls a
length, adding also without breadth; since a line, in respect of a
superficies, ranks as a principle. For he defines a point, as it is the
principle of all magnitudes, by negation alone; but a line, as well by
affirmation as by negation. Hence it is a length, and by this exceeds
the impartibility of a point; but it is without breadth, because it
is separated from other dimensions. For, indeed, every thing which
is void of breadth, is also destitute of bulk, but the contrary is
not true, that every thing void of bulk is also destitute of breadth.
Since, therefore, he has removed breadth from a line, he has also
removed at the same time bulk. On which account he does not add, that
a line also has no thickness, because this property is consequent
to the notion of being without breadth. But it is defined by others
in various ways: for some call it the flux of a point, but others a
magnitude contained by one interval. And this definition, indeed; is
perfect, and sufficiently explains the essence of a line; but that
which calls it the flux of a point, appears to manifest its nature from
its producing cause; and does not express every line, but alone that
which is immaterial. For this is produced by a point, which though
impartible itself, is the cause of being to partible natures. But the
flux of a point, shews its progression and prolific power, approaching
to every interval, receiving no detriment, perpetually abiding the
same, and affording essence to all partible magnitudes. However, these
observations are known, and manifest to every one. But we shall recall
into our memory, discourses more Pythagorical, which determine a point
as analogous to unity, a line to the duad, a superficies to the triad,
and body to the tetrad. [[132]Yet when we compare those which receive
interval together, we shall find a line monadic; but a superficies
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
The philosophical and mathematical commentaries of Proclus on the first book of Euclid's elements (Vol. 1 of 2) : $b To which are added, A history of the restoration of Platonic theology, by the latter Platonists: And a translation from the Greek of Proclus's Theological elements — John Shaqi
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