Proximity and causal presence

Use in the book

The argument from celestial influences turns on the proximity of a substantial agent. An influence far removed from its celestial living source cannot independently generate a living substance: it must serve a proximate living substance as its instrument. Simply moving one body alongside another is not enough, Ficino argues, because what enters is an accidental effect while the body's substance remains outside. He therefore requires an incorporeal living agent capable of inward presence. Spatial approach and causal presence are distinguishable.

Later the same vocabulary protects both divine transcendence and the soul's intimacy with its sphere. God is common to everything and cannot be the exclusively proper mover of one body. Angelic mind, too, cannot be a sphere's immediately indwelling life. Soul supplies the familiar mover; higher causes supply order and stability. Consequently, “God does not move heaven immediately” does not mean God has no causal role. It denies that the first cause occupies the same explanatory position as the soul's conjoined motive power.

Places to read

1. IV.1.3–523a proximate substantial producer is distinguished from a remote influence and from bodily contact
2. IV.1.29–32234soul mediates between separated mind and body
3. IV.1.54 and IV.1.59–6423456intimate movers are required without assigning God to one sphere as its proper governor
4. IV.1.66–672the immediate motive power is present throughout heaven without bodily extension

Translation in this edition

“Intimately joined,” “proper,” and “immediately” are functionally precise translations. Their familiar English connotations should not erase the difference between spatial distance, hierarchical nearness, and causal mediation.

familiarissimus

familiarissimus. Printed forms: familiarissima; familiarissimos.

Most intimately conjoined or specifically appropriate. The spheres require movers closely related to them; this cannot make God the exclusive mover of one sphere. References: IV.1.54, IV.1.59. See Proximity and causal presence.

intus / intro / intimus

intus / intro / intimus. Printed forms: intima; intro; intus.

Within, inward, or most inward. The substantial agent must be inwardly present, and celestial motion is inferred to arise from intimate life. References: IV.1.5, IV.1.84. See Proximity and causal presence.

praesentia / admovere

praesentia / admovere. Printed forms: admovetur; praesentia.

Presence; bringing one thing near another. Perfect action requires the agent's presence, while bodily adjacency leaves the body's substance outside its recipient. References: IV.1.5. See Proximity and causal presence.

proximus

proximus. Printed forms: proximae; proxime.

Nearest or immediately related. The required producer is a proximate substance, while angel's activity makes immediate adherence to matter problematic. References: IV.1.3, IV.1.30. See Proximity and causal presence.

semotus motor

semotus motor. Printed forms: semotus motor.

A remote or separated mover. Even a higher separated mover must supply a conjoined motive power before the body actually moves. References: IV.1.66. See Proximity and causal presence.

tangere / attingere

tangere / attingere. Printed forms: attingeret; Attingit; attingit; attingunt; tangent; tangi; tangit.

To touch or reach, with the mode determined by bodily or spiritual subject. Incorporeal contact is through power rather than quantitative dimensions; mental reaching is not bodily travel. References: II.6.1, II.6.17, II.6.23. See Touch and penetration.

To touch or reach, physically or through mediating power. Contact between sphere surfaces, alleged daemon tangibility, craft's surface action, and mind's bodily reach are different constructions. References: IV.1.13, IV.1.31, IV.1.39, IV.2.25. See Proximity and causal presence.