Here, there, and the Antipodes

Use in the book

Ficino asks a reader who wants heaven to stop to fix Saturn's sphere on its axis. One half then stands over our heads and the other over the Antipodes. Because the sphere's parts are alike in nature, he finds no reason one should belong here rather than there; each tends toward the equally fitting position. The subsequent description makes the concave surface of the eighth sphere Saturn's natural place and explains its parts' desire to contact all corresponding parts.

The distinction between the whole sphere's place and its parts' successive contacts is crucial. Circular motion retains the sphere within its proper enclosure while changing which part contacts which. The argument is part of the historical nested-sphere model; it is not a description of modern Saturnian motion. Its logic also differs from a simple observation of motion: the imposed rest is a thought experiment used to display the supposed absence of a privileged resting distribution.

Places to read

1. IV.2.22–232circular motion remains in the same place while differing minimally from stability
2. IV.2.24the stopped sphere and the Antipodes frame the here/there argument
3. IV.2.25surrounding concavity and changing contacts specify natural place

Translation in this edition

The English explains the relevant outer surface of Saturn's sphere in IV.2.25, while retaining the surrounding concave surface. “Here” and “there” are not dispensable filler: they carry the symmetry test.

Antipodes / semicirculus

Antipodes / semicirculus. Printed forms: Antipodum; semicirculus.

Those on the opposite side; a half-circle or relevant half of the sphere. The imagined stopped Saturnian sphere places one half overhead here and one over the Antipodes to test any privileged position. References: IV.2.24. See Here, there, and the Antipodes.

concava superficies

concava superficies. Printed forms: concava superficies; concavum.

A surrounding concave surface. The eighth sphere's inner surface defines the natural place of Saturn's sphere in the nested-sphere model. References: IV.2.25. See Here, there, and the Antipodes.

figere / ponere

figere / ponere. Printed forms: figat; ponere.

To fix in position; to posit or place. Fixing Saturn's heaven introduces a thought experiment, whereas positing principles in nature is an explanatory claim. References: IV.1.12, IV.2.24. See Here, there, and the Antipodes.

hic / illic

hic / illic. Printed forms: hic; ibi; illic.

Here and there as opposed places. Identical fitness for the alternative positions drives the thought experiment; these demonstratives carry a substantive symmetry argument. References: IV.2.24. See Here, there, and the Antipodes.