Studi su Cesare Cremonini: Cosmologia e logica nel tardo aristotelismo padovano (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 93 would have to use the extensive notes made by H. P. Cazac, who died before he could utilize all of the material which he had collected,z For these reasons one might look to Miccolis' book as a new contribution to Sanches studies. One is bound to be disappointed, however, for little new material is brought forth here and even previous studies on Sanches are not fully utilized. Although this study has the format of a book, its length is little more than that of a substantial article (ca. 25,000 words). After a very brief introductory section on the life and works of Sanches, the author treats the Quod nihil scitur and 'Sanches and medicine' in separate sections. There is then a three page conclusion, which hardly rises above what one might find in an Italian manual of the history of philosophy for use in a liceo, and a not very useful appendix, which is nothing more than an analytical index of Sanches' Opera medica (Toulouse, 1636). Some of Sanches' writings are analyzed here and many of the most interesting passages quoted. What is lacking is a systematic study of his sources and influences. It seems as though Sanches is considered in vacuo and little attention is given to the context of his thought. Moreovcr, the book is not equipped with any systematic bibliography of either primary or secondary works and there is no index. In short, this volume has little to recommend it and a detailed, definitive study of Sanches is still a major desideratum. CHARLES B. SCHMITT University of Leeds" Studi su Cesare Cremonini: Cosmologia e logica nel tardo aristotelisrno padovano. By Maria Assunta del Torre. (Padova: Antenore, Universith di Padova, 1968. Pp. 150. L. 2,300) This short work examines the cosmology and logic of Cremonini (1551-1631), professor of Aristotelean philosophy at Padua, who comes at the end of a tradition of commentators, including Alexander of Aphrodisias, Pomponazzi, and Zabarella, who interpret Aristotle's physics and psychology in a naturalistic sense. According to Cremonini's commentaries, Aristotle taught that the human soul is corporeal as informing the body, that the eternal heavens move by their own nature or soul, that God is merely the final, not the efficient or providential cause of natural motion. Since these doctrines are incompatible with Christian faith, Cremonini held that they are false and need to be corrected in the light of religion. He protested that he agreed with St. Thomas' theology, but not with his Christianizing interpretation of Aristotle. The logic of Cremonini seems to be derived chiefly from Zabarella, and to provide little that is original. The author correctly points out that this logic and philosophy of scientific method follow Aristotle strictly, and are not in any way an anticipation of or influence on Galileo, contrary to the interpretation of Cassirer, followed by See R. H. Popkin, The History of Scepticism /rom Erasmus to Descartes, revised ed. (New York. 1968), p. 39 nl. For a list of Cazac's publications on Sanches see Miccolis, p. 9. 94 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY Randall. The notion that induction provides principles for deduction is in any case a commonplace since Aristotle. The author's analyses depend on the Latin texts very closely, and seem sound in the main, but do not add very much to our understanding of Cremonini's philosophy . At times she ascribes an undeserved originality to Cremonini (cf. pp. 118, 129, 131), where he really is only following long-established traditional philosophic doctrines. Since Cremonini's works have been out of print since 1663, the chief value of this study is perhaps to make available again some texts of this last of the Renaissance Aristoteleans. PAUL J. W. MILLER University of Colorado Peace Among the Willows: The Political Philosophy of Francis Bacon. By Howard B. White (The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff, 1968. Pp. x+266. G 33) Recent studies of Francis Bacon have wisely ignored the now exhausted problem of what he contributed to the methodology of science and have concentrated upon his meaning and his actual achievements. Peace Among the Willows addresses itself to both these latter topics in the relatively unexplored area of his political...