From the book
Marsilio Ficino’s Platonic Theology, Volume I
Marsilio Ficino · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordGradus is a degree or rank; minimus the least; naturalis qualifies the degree belonging to natural form.
- In the Platonic TheologyI.3.14 refers natural form to a least natural degree within an argument that each kind rests on something comparatively indivisible.
- In this editionThe English “least natural degree” closely follows gradum minimum naturalem.
- A place to readNatural form’s least degree is placed beside instant, geometric point, and numerical unity as a basis for the ascent to indivisible substance
Meaning
Gradus is a degree or rank; minimus the least; naturalis qualifies the degree belonging to natural form. The phrase names a comparatively indivisible point of reference within a kind, not a material atom or an independently explained physical minimum.
Use in the book
I.3.14 refers natural form to a least natural degree within an argument that each kind rests on something comparatively indivisible. The parallel examples are motion and time referred to an instant, geometrical dimensions to a point, and numbers to unity. This brief expression supports the further inference to indivisible substance. The supplied passage does not give a separate theory of natural minima or identify this degree with a material atom; a lexicon should not supply those additional claims.
Further passage references. I.3.14
Places to read
- I.3.14Natural form’s least degree is placed beside instant, geometric point, and numerical unity as a basis for the ascent to indivisible substance
Translation in this edition
The English “least natural degree” closely follows gradum minimum naturalem. The only cited occurrence is brief and analogical. It does not supply the independent theory of minima that a reader might import from later or external natural philosophy.
gradus minimus naturalis
gradus minimus naturalis. Printed forms: gradum minimum naturalem.
The least natural degree. Ficino lists it as the limiting principle for natural form; the passage does not provide a numerical threshold or modern unit of measurement. References: I.3.14. See Least natural degree.