Seeking possessing and distraction · Lexicon

From the book

Marsilio Ficino’s Platonic Theology, Volume I

Marsilio Ficino · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Orientation

At a Glance

The wordQuaerere seeks or searches; possidere possesses or holds.
In the Platonic TheologyIn answering the objection that lowly things are unworthy of divine knowledge, Ficino denies that God must search among external images.
In this edition“Weightier” and “lesser” render gravioribus and leviora as comparative importance, not literal mass.
A place to readPossession and one gaze answer distraction, labor, and displacement objections

Meaning

Quaerere seeks or searches; possidere possesses or holds. Distrahi is to be pulled in different directions or distracted, and diverti to turn aside. These ordinary verbs distinguish successive acquisition of knowledge from a unified possession of it.

Use in the book

In answering the objection that lowly things are unworthy of divine knowledge, Ficino denies that God must search among external images. God sees things in himself through his essence. Because he possesses rather than seeks, knowing many does not entail labor; because he sees higher and lower in the same gaze, considering the lower does not divert attention from the higher.

The claims address a specific assumed cost of divine knowledge. Human attention can be divided and a search can require effort, but Ficino’s conclusion is about the simple first knower. The star-seeing eye then provides a limited analogy for many objects in one act. The distinction should not become a universal disparagement of inquiry: the book itself repeatedly investigates, asks, and argues.

Places to read

II.9.20, II.9.21Possession and one gaze answer distraction, labor, and displacement objections

Translation in this edition

“Weightier” and “lesser” render gravioribus and leviora as comparative importance, not literal mass. “Does not seek but possesses” concerns the mode of divine cognition, not possession of physical goods.

distrahere / divertere / possidere

distrahere / divertere / possidere. Printed forms: distrahitur; divertitur; possidet.

To distract, turn aside, or possess. Divine knowledge involves neither searching nor shifting attention from important objects to minor ones. References: II.9.20. See Seeking possessing and distraction.

Epicureus / Epicurus / Averroes

Epicureus / Epicurus / Averroes. Printed forms: Averroi; Averrois; Epicureus; Epicuro.

The anticipated Epicurean opponent and named Epicurus and Averroes of the later polemic. Ficino attributes burdensome-action and lowly-knowledge objections to these opponents; the lexicon reports his presentation. References: II.8.1, II.9.20, II.9.21. See Seeking possessing and distraction.

fides adhibita

fides adhibita. Printed forms: fidem adhibeat.

To give credence or trust an assertion. The prohibition introduces Ficino’s rejection of the claim that lowly objects are unworthy of divine cognition. References: II.9.20. See Seeking possessing and distraction.

gravior / levior

gravior / levior. Printed forms: gravioribus; leviora.

Weightier or lesser in importance. The contrast describes relative importance, not mass; the same gaze knows both without displacement. References: II.9.20. See Seeking possessing and distraction.

quaerere / interrogare

quaerere / interrogare. Printed forms: interrogamus; Quaerimus; quaerit.

To ask or investigate; quaerere can also seek something not yet possessed. Ficino’s inquiries test alternatives, whereas divine knowledge is said to possess rather than search. References: II.1.6, II.2.1, II.2.2, II.9.20. See Seeking possessing and distraction.