PERIPATETIC

QUESTIONS

The man who published a book in Germany entitled The Alps Cut Down original: "Alpes Cæsæ"; likely a punning or metaphorical title attacking the author's "Peripatetic" heights: in which he strives to demolish what we wrote in the Peripatetic Questions, calling them proud and monstrous dogmas, does not only strike at Cesalpino Andrea Cesalpino (1524–1603), the author of this text and a prominent Italian physician and philosopher, but also at Aristotle The ancient Greek philosopher whose system dominated medieval and Renaissance thought, the prince of the Peripatetics Followers of Aristotle's philosophy, named for the covered walkways (peripatos) where they walked while teaching. On behalf of Aristotle, there will not be lacking, I think, those who will defend his doctrine. As for the fact that he lashes me as if with whips, I do not take it ill. For since I am a man, and might perhaps occasionally slip into some falsehood through imprudence, it is no wonder if I allow myself to be struck for the sake of correction. But I will never allow the truth to be wounded even a little. Now, the truth is wounded if it is separated from unity; and it is restored if it is brought back to unity. For that which exists is also one; but what is false does not exist, and therefore is not one. It is evident, moreover, that this author departs from the truth because he departs from the common consensus of men. For he rejects the Peripatetic discipline, which is approved by the consensus of the greatest number among all the sects of philosophers. But who will believe that his judgment alone is straight, while that of so many others is crooked? For all science depends upon the best-known principles approved by the consensus of all. It is necessary, therefore, that there be one certain measure by which all things are measured, and that it be the straightest possible,