Impression and effacement · Lexicon

From the book

Marsilio Ficino’s Platonic Theology, Volume I

Marsilio Ficino · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Orientation

At a Glance

The wordImprimere is to impress or stamp; delere to erase or efface.
In the Platonic TheologyFicino concludes that the first cause acts more powerfully in every effect because its trace, being, is impressed earlier and erased later than the traces of other causes.
In this editionThe translation’s “as though it were impressed more deeply” interprets fortius imprimatur spatially.
A place to readThe order of being and particular determinations supplies the comparison’s basis

Meaning

Imprimere is to impress or stamp; delere to erase or efface. Firmare and stabilire make firm; fundare provides a foundation. The vocabulary converts an ordering of causes into an image of marks resting on a prior mark.

Use in the book

Ficino concludes that the first cause acts more powerfully in every effect because its trace, being, is impressed earlier and erased later than the traces of other causes. He adds quasi, “as though,” when describing the stronger impression. The image makes explanatory priority and persistence intelligible without measuring a physical indentation.

Other causes establish their traces upon the first cause’s trace. In parallel, their works rest in its work and their powers and actions in its power and action. This does not deny subordinate causation: the other traces remain distinct. It explains why they cannot operate independently of the being and efficacy supplied by the first source.

Places to read

II.7.28, II.7.29The order of being and particular determinations supplies the comparison’s basis
II.7.32Impression, erasure, and foundation summarize the priority of first causation

Translation in this edition

The translation’s “as though it were impressed more deeply” interprets fortius imprimatur spatially. Fortius literally marks greater force or strength; “depth” is the comparison’s English expression, not an additional Latin noun.

amittere / delere

amittere / delere. Printed forms: amittitur; deletur.

To lose or efface. Specific determinations are lost before being; the first cause’s trace is erased later than subordinate traces. References: II.7.21, II.7.29, II.7.32. See Impression and effacement.

imprimere / fundare / stabilire

imprimere / fundare / stabilire. Printed forms: fundant; imprimatur; imprimitur; stabiliunt.

To impress, found, or establish firmly. The first cause’s trace supports other traces as its power and action support subordinate efficacy. References: II.7.32. See Impression and effacement.