Simplicius: On Aristotle On the Heavens 2.1-9

In On the Heavens Aristotle discusses his theory that the stars are carried round us on a transparent sphere. This text provides a translation of Simplicius' commentary on Aristotle's work.

In "On the Heavens" Aristotle discusses his theory that the stars are carried round us on a transparent sphere. This text provides a translation of Simplicius' commentary on Aristotle's work.Aristotle believed that the outermost stars are carried round us on a transparent sphere. There are directions in the universe and a preferred direction of rotation. The sun moon and planets are carried on different revolving spheres. The spheres and celestial bodies are composed of an everlasting fifth element, which has none of the ordinary contrary properties like heat and cold which could destroy it, but only the facility for uniform rotation. But this creates problems as to how the heavenly bodies create light, and, in the case of the sun, heat. The value of Simplicius' commentary on On the Heavens 2,1-9 lies both in its preservation of the lost comments of Alexander and in Simplicius' controversy with him. The two of them discuss not only the problem mentioned, but also whether soul and nature move the spheres as two distinct forces or as one. Alexander appears to have simplified Aristotle's system of 55 spheres down to seven, and some hints may be gleaned as to whether, simplifying further, he thinks there are seven ultimate movers, or only one.