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Complete Works, Volume Three (1658) - Page 6 - Source Library

Complete Works, Volume Three

Pierre Gassendi · 1658

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EXERCISE II.

That the Aristotelians have undeservedly surrendered their freedom of Philosophizing.


Art. 1. A lazy distrust has completely seized the Aristotelians.	page 111
2. Because of this, they have looked up to Aristotle himself so much.	ibid. original: "ibid." An abbreviation for "ibidem," meaning "in the same place."
3. That they themselves have become entirely surrendered captives.	ibid.
4. And some even follow certain of his primary followers.	112
5. As if a Philosopher ought not to walk by his own power.	ibid.
6. Just as Aristotle did among other leading thinkers, yet these men do not follow him in this regard.	ibid.
7. To be sure, the freedom of the Mind, which Philosophy promises, is a precious and sweet thing.	113
8. Which noble spirits so commend and cherish.	ibid.
9. While these men believe everything because of one Aristotle.	114
10. Refusing to know anything other than what he himself perceived.	ibid.
11. They are unwilling to shake off the yoke of Aristotelian tyranny.	ibid.
12. And thus they cut themselves off from the hope of the best discoveries.	115
13. While they trust and attribute more to others, and less to themselves than is proper.	ibid.

EXERCISE III.

That there are no reasons why the Sect of Aristotle should be seen as preferable.


Art. 1. Religion itself does not persuade us to prefer Aristotle.	116
2. Not the integrity of his character.	ibid.
3. Not the excellence of his talent.	ibid.
4. No matter how much he is commended by the Peripatetics. The Peripatetics were the members of the school founded by Aristotle; the name comes from the covered walkways, or "peripatos," where they walked while discussing philosophy.	117
5. And though you may have always heard him commended by the learned.	ibid.
6. Indeed, even though he is praised by those other than the Peripatetics.	ibid.
7. Yet those others also mostly commended others more.	118
8. Furthermore, the bias of Philip or Alexander does not persuade us. Refers to King Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great, who was tutored by Aristotle.	ibid.
9. Likewise, the consensus and approval of those practicing Philosophy does not.	118
10. For even if he now has many illustrious followers.	119
11. It was not so long ago, and certainly not before the Commentator. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, "The Commentator" almost always referred to the Islamic philosopher Averroes (Ibn Rushd), whose commentaries on Aristotle were foundational to Western study.	ibid.
12. Who was very far removed from the mind


of Aristotle.	ibid.
13. Therefore, even if many things seem to suggest we should listen to Aristotle.	120
14. Yet the more ancient Fathers who condemn Aristotle ought rather to be heard. Refers to early Christian theologians who often viewed pagan Greek philosophy with suspicion.	ibid.
15. Since among the more recent Doctors there is no shortage of those who occasionally reject him.	ibid.

EXERCISE IV.

That there is a very great uncertainty regarding the books and the doctrine of Aristotle.


Art. 1. It is uncertain whether a book of Aristotle's exists, based on the doubt of the Aristotelians themselves concerning those works which are held.	121
2. It is confirmed both because they do not correspond especially to Laërtius, and because they could have been substituted in the Alexandrian Library. Diogenes Laërtius was an ancient biographer of philosophers. The Alexandrian Library was the most famous library of the ancient world.	ibid.
3. Likewise, there were many men named Aristotle and many Aristotelians whose works could have been attributed to the one Stagirite. "The Stagirite" is a common nickname for Aristotle, referring to his birthplace, Stagira.	ibid.
4. Even if they survive, it is uncertain what in them belongs to Aristotle because of various injuries from both time and editors.	122
5. Likewise because of the faults of those copying and translating them, from which innumerable blemishes arise.	ibid.
6. Even if all the works were his, there is still uncertainty because of his truncated and ambiguous style.	ibid.
7. For this reason he is rightly called a Demon; yet, undeservedly, he is least read where he has spoken clearly. original: "Dæmon." In this context, it likely refers to a "daimon" or divine spirit of genius, though it may also play on the difficulty of his "dark" or obscure writing style.	123
8. Even if that were nothing, there is still uncertainty when another philosopher speaks through Aristotle.	ibid.
9. Indeed, uncertainty is often betrayed by Aristotle himself.	124
10. Let these things be passed over; yet uncertainty remains from the perpetual disagreements among Aristotelians.	ibid.
11. To such an extent that an impartial student cannot discern where to place his trust safely.	ibid.
12. Even if all these issues ceased, a very great uncertainty still remains from the innumerable defects to be demonstrated regarding the Text.	125
13. Although not all have been observed; nor should they be imputed so much to Aristotle as to the Aristotelians themselves.	ibid.

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