Fire, spark, lightning and cannon

Use in the book

Fire carries several arguments and cannot be assigned one unchanging symbolic meaning. A spark’s rapid ascent contrasts with a larger flame; fire’s fineness, swift effects and expansive spread exemplify activity associated with reduced bodily bulk. Lightning and cannon fire are invoked as conspicuous demonstrations of fire and air’s force. Later, concentrated heat rather than size explains burning. Yet Ficino then denies that any particular fire is the sufficient first cause of its own kind: it was generated, may outlast its producer, and acts as an instrument of a higher source. Finally, making fire in wool illustrates a distinction between accidental heating and production of a substantial form. The example that first demonstrates quality’s efficacy therefore later demonstrates its insufficiency.

Places to read

1. I.2.2Spark and flame illustrate a claim about lightness and speed
2. I.2.5Fire, lightning and cannon support the claim that reduced density aids activity
3. I.2.11Burning is assigned to intense heat, not great size
4. I.3.7–923Particular fires are effects and dependent instruments
5. I.3.22Accidental heating of wool is distinguished from substantial generation of fire

Translation in this edition

“Cannon” gives the historical weapon in the example without claiming a specification of its mechanism. The unusual printed phrase about air in a vessel in I.2.5 is rendered as air supporting a stone-laden vessel on water; the apparatus explains the two phrases as the vessel’s upper part and the water’s surface. This is the supplied editor’s explanation; it is not a newly reconstructed experiment.

collisio / reflexio / lana

collisio / reflexio / lana. Printed forms: collisione; lana; lanam; reflexio.

Collision, reflection and wool. Cold bodies’ collision and reflected rays or hot iron distinguish heating from the substantial generation of fire in wool. References: I.3.22. See Fire, spark, lightning and cannon.

frigefacio / calefacio / uro

frigefacio / calefacio / uro. Printed forms: calefacit; comburendum; frigefacit; urit.

To cool, heat or burn. The specified verbs show different effects of qualities; fire burns because it is intensely hot, not merely large. References: I.2.11. See Fire, spark, lightning and cannon.

fulgur / bombarda

fulgur / bombarda. Printed forms: bombarda; fulgure.

Lightning and cannon. Their conspicuous force is offered as evidence of the strength of fire and air; the passage does not detail a weapon’s construction. References: I.2.5. See Fire, spark, lightning and cannon.

ignis / tenuis

ignis / tenuis. Printed forms: ignis; tenuis; tenuitate.

Fire, characterized here by fineness or thinness. Fire is presented as approaching spiritual nature and acting strongly; this qualitative efficacy is later shown insufficient as a first cause. References: I.2.5. See Fire, spark, lightning and cannon.

pondus / lapis

pondus / lapis. Printed forms: lapidum; pondere.

Weight and stones. A stone-loaded vessel supported by air illustrates the supposed force of fine bodies; the supplied apparatus explains the vessel’s spatial arrangement. References: I.2.5. See Fire, spark, lightning and cannon.

scintilla / flamma

scintilla / flamma. Printed forms: flammam; Scintilla; scintillam.

A spark and a flame. The smaller spark illustrates faster ascent; a spark’s potentially extensive spread later supports the priority of force over size. References: I.2.2, I.2.5. See Fire, spark, lightning and cannon.

vas / aquae summum

vas / aquae summum. Printed forms: in aquae summo; vas; vasis.

A vessel and the surface of water. The apparatus explains the compressed example as air in a vessel’s upper part supporting it at the water’s surface, even under added weight. References: I.2.5. See Fire, spark, lightning and cannon.