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Full Idea
If magnitude were removed from matter by divine power, it would still have parts distinct from one another, but they would not be positioned either outside one another or inside one another, because position would be removed.
Gist of Idea
Without magnitude a thing would retain its parts, but they would have no location
Source
Jean Buridan (Questions on Aristotle's Physics [1346], I.8 f. 11va), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 14.4
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.295
A Reaction
This shows why Quantity is such an important category for scholastic philosopher.
| 16673 | Quantity just adds union and location to the extension of parts [Olivi] |
| 16672 | Quantity is the quantified parts of a thing, plus location and coordination [Olivi] |
| 16599 | Ockham says matter must be extended, so we don't need Quantity [William of Ockham, by Pasnau] |
| 16681 | Matter gets its quantity from condensation and rarefaction, which is just local motion [William of Ockham] |
| 16678 | Without magnitude a thing would retain its parts, but they would have no location [Buridan] |
| 16743 | We can get at the essential nature of 'quantity' by knowing bulk and extension [Suárez] |
| 16597 | Quantity is the capacity to be divided [Digby] |
| 16674 | The quantity is just the matter, in that it has extended parts and is diffuse [Charleton] |
| 16671 | Scholastic Quantity either gives a body parts, or spreads them out in a unified way [Pasnau] |