Albertus Magnus Philosophia (1496 Incunable)

The illustrious philosopher and theologian: Lord Albertus Magnus’s concise, distinguished, and highly useful work on Natural Philosophy: begins happily.

On the acceptance of these terms: nature and natural. Chapter I.

Large square historiated initial 'P' containing intricate white-on-black foliate patterns and scrolling acanthus leaves.
Philosophy is divided into three parts. Namely into Logic, Ethics, and Physics; or into the rational, the moral, and the natural. Setting aside the other two, for the present we intend to focus only on physics or natural philosophy. We note beforehand that "nature" is spoken of in many ways. For nature is called "natural intelligence," according to what Aristotle original: "Ag." or "Agst." referring to Aristotle, often called 'The Philosopher' says in the Posterior Analytics: that universals are better known "in nature" than particulars—that is, in the intellective nature or natural intelligence. Nature is also called "matter." Nature is called "form." And more properly, nature is called "form," because it preserves natural things in their being. Nature is also called the "way into nature," such as generation the process of coming into being. Nature is also called the "principle of motion and rest in that in which it exists: primarily, and of itself, and not according to accident."

Hence Avicenna An influential Persian polymath and physician distinguishes a twofold nature: namely, universal and particular. He calls "universal nature" the power diffused throughout the substance of the heavens. "Particular nature," however, is that which is in singular things, or in individuals, such as that which is in this plant, or in this grain; according to which it is said that nature is a "force implanted in things, procreating like from like." Aristotle posits these last four modes in the second book of the Physics.

"Natural" is also spoken of in multiple ways. In one way, something is called "natural" to someone which is in them from their creation; according to which knowing and learning are natural to man, because both are in him from his creation. Something is also called "natural" which happens according to the course of nature; according to which it is said to be natural that a human is made from a human, and a horse from a horse. Hence, according to these three, works and three agents are distinguished: namely, the Work of Nature, the Work of the Artisan, and the Work of Creation. The Work of Nature is that whose acting principle is nature. The Work of the Artisan is that whose acting principle is the will. The Work of Creation is that whose acting principle is the Creator. That which natural science considers is also called "natural."

Since, therefore, the subject of natural philosophy is the "mobile body" matter that is capable of change or movement, our first speculation will be concerning the mobile body simply, or according to itself. The second concerning the heavens. The third concerning the elements. The fourth concerning things composed of elements. The fifth concerning the soul.

On natural principles: and first concerning the mobile body. Chapter II.