Contraries as Principles All philosophers identify their principles with the contraries. They differ, however, from one another in that some assume contraries which are more knowable in the order of explanation, i.e. universal, others those more familiar to sense, i.e., particular. ‘The great and the small’, for example, belong to the former class, ‘the dense and the rare’ to the latter. In any one genus there is only one contrariety, […]
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Dance: When Aristotle Meets Tolstoy
What is Dance Aristotle gives this definition of motion in Physics: Motion is the fulfilment of what exists potentially, in so far as it exists potentially, namely, of what is alterable qua alterable, of what is movable qua movable,…Motion is in the movable, by the action of that which has the power of causing motion; and the actuality of that which has the power of causing motion is not other […]
Read more“On the Sublime” By Longinus
Sublimity is the image of greatness of soul. The effect of elevated language upon an audience is not persuasion but transport. Skill in invention, and due order and arrangement of matter, emerging as the hard-won result not of one thing nor of two, but of the whole texture of the composition, whereas Sublimity flashing forth at the right moment scatters everything before it like a thunderbolt, and at once displays […]
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“Physics and Philosophy” by Werner Heisenberg
[Posted to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Heisenberg’s death.] Form and Potentiality in Nature Modern physics takes a definite stand against the materialism of Democritus and Epicurus, and for Plato and the Pythagoreans. The elementary particles are certainly not eternal and indestructible units of matter. They can actually be transformed into each other. All particles are of the same substance: energy. The resemblance of the modern views to those of […]
Read more“Life of St. Benedict” by St. Gregory the Great
Brother and Sister His twin sister Scholastica, who was consecrated to God from her very childhood, used to come once a year to see him; unto whom the man of God was wont to go with his brethren to a house not far from the gate, within the possession of the Monastery. On one occasion, his sister, entreated him saying: “I beseech you, leave me not this night, that we […]
Read more“The Code of Hammurabi” by Hammurabi
The Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest surviving codes of law, was enacted by the sixth king of Babylon, Hammurabi. Like the Mosaic Law, a large portion of the code deals with property rights and family relations. The prominent feature of the code, however, is its emphasis on individual responsibility, imposing heavy penalties on neglect and sloth, from which even the judges and governors are not exempt. Here are […]
Read moreOne is Enough
As the author of an obscure blog, I sometimes become discouraged by the lack of engagements and dialogues. I learn more by engaging in discussions and debates on the subjects that fascinate me, than by reading and writing about them. For this reason, I envy the most those bloggers who attract a dozen comments following each and every one of their posts. At times like these, I find inspiration in […]
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