back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 12097

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 29. Religion / A. Polytheistic Religion / 2. Greek Polytheism ]

Full Idea

It is clearly necessary that the number of substances eternal in their nature and intrinsically unmovable (and without magnitude) should equal that of the movements of the stars.

Gist of Idea

There are as many eternal unmovable substances as there are movements of the stars

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1073a34)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.377


A Reaction

There are many unmoved movers! This is an important corrective to those who think Aristotle was endorsing one great Unmoved Mover, and thus founding monotheism. He was agreeing with Plato's account in 'The Laws'.

Related Idea

Idea 21265 The heavens must be full of gods, controlling nature either externally or from within [Plato]