Counting and collective intuition · Lexicon

From the book

Marsilio Ficino’s Platonic Theology, Volume I

Marsilio Ficino · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Orientation

At a Glance

The wordEnumerare counts off or lists; gradatim means step by step; summatim can mean collectively or in a gathered view.
In the Platonic TheologyThe final response in II.102 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 distinguishes an infinite multitude of objects from an infinite task performed by successive counting.
In this edition“Collectively by intuition” renders intuendo summatim.
A place to readSelf-comprehension is distinguished from being bounded by another

Meaning

Enumerare counts off or lists; gradatim means step by step; summatim can mean collectively or in a gathered view. Omniformis is containing every form, not shapeless; unicolor and omnicolor make the corresponding contrast of one color and every color.

Use in the book

The final response in II.102 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 distinguishes an infinite multitude of objects from an infinite task performed by successive counting. God does not enumerate them one after another. He sees them through one form in one act, as simple in essence while in a certain respect multiple according to reason. “As finite” is immediately glossed by this distinction; it is not the claim that an infinite collection has suddenly acquired a last member.

The solar analogy makes the point differently: light, called one-colored “so to speak,” might perceive itself as every-colored because it is the source of colors. Similarly, God’s one form is regarded as all-formed through power and a certain respect. Both qualifications matter: the passage distinguishes productive capacity and intelligible relation from an aggregate of separate formal pieces.

Places to read

II.10.8, II.10.9Self-comprehension is distinguished from being bounded by another
II.10.10, II.10.11, II.10.12Collective intuition, all-form, and the one-colored/all-colored analogy close the answer

Translation in this edition

“Collectively by intuition” renders intuendo summatim. Summatim should not imply a vague summary omitting details: the preceding argument repeatedly insists on distinct knowledge. “So to speak” qualifies unicolor in the Latin.

enumerare / gradatim / summatim

enumerare / gradatim / summatim. Printed forms: enumerando; gradatim; summatim.

To count successively, step by step, versus a gathered view. God’s knowledge of innumerable things is explicitly distinguished from completing an endless sequence of counting. References: II.10.10. See Counting and collective intuition.

omniformis / unicolor / omnicolor

omniformis / unicolor / omnicolor. Printed forms: omnicolorem; omniformem; unicolor.

All-formed, one-colored, and every-colored. One divine form has all-form through power and relation, as one-colored light is imagined knowing itself as source of every color. References: II.10.11, II.10.12. See Counting and collective intuition.