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CHAPTER 2 437A19–438A5 437a19 At present some inquire about the organs of the body in which these are actualized with reference to the elements of bodies. But not being able to adapt them to four, since there are five, they are concerned about the fifth. 437a22 But all of them have sight be made of fire, because they do not know the cause of a certain affection: when the eye is squeezed and moved, fire seems to shine. This happens in darkness, or when the eyelids are lowered, which also makes it dark. 437a26 But this presents another difficulty. For if something visible cannot escape the notice of one who is sensing and seeing, it will be necessary that the eye always be seeing fire. Why then does it not happen when it is at rest? 437a30 Now the cause of this—both for the objection and for the view that sight is made of fire—is to be understood as follows. Smooth things naturally shine in darkness, but they do not produce light; and the so-called black part and center of the eye is smooth. And what appears, appears to an eye that is moved because what happens is that what is one becomes as though it were two, and the speed of the movement makes it seem that what sees and what is seen are different . Hence it does not happen unless quickly. 437b5 This happens in darkness, for a smooth thing in darkness naturally shines, as do certain heads of fish, and the ink of the cuttle-fish. And when the eye is gently moved, it does not happen that what sees and what is seen seem simultaneously to be one and two. But in the other case, the eye itself sees itself, as it does in refraction. 437b10 If it were fire, as Empedocles says, and as is written in the Timaeus,1 and seeing took place by a light going out, the way it does from a lamp, why does sight not also see in darkness? 437b14 To say that in going out it is “extinguished” in darkness is completely foolish. 437b15 For what is “extinction” of light? What is hot and dry is extinguished by either moisture or cold, as can be seen in the case of the embers of a fire, and flame. But neither appears to be the case with light. 31 437b19 If it were the case, but the light escapes our notice because of “weakness ,” it would have to be extinguished by day, and in water, and it would be more darkened where there is ice, for flame and burning bodies are affected in this way. But no such thing happens in this case. 437b23 Empedocles seems to think, as was said before, that seeing takes place by light going out. For he says: As when someone contemplating going out on a winter night Prepares a lamp, he kindles a light of burning fire In such a way as to block the force of all winds, For he deflects the breath of blowing winds. But the light breaks out: however farther it expands It illuminates with rays subdued by a covering— Likewise ancient light guarded in membranes—fine linens— Pours out around in a circle through the pupil, Which will reveal a depth of water flowing around. But the light comes out, however farther it expands. Sometimes, then, he says that seeing is like this, but sometimes that it takes place by emanations from what is seen. Commentary 437a19 After The Philosopher has summarized what is necessary for the present consideration of sensitive powers themselves, now he proceeds to his principal proposal in this book by applying the consideration of sense-powers to what is bodily. First with respect to sense-organs. Second with respect to sensible objects, where he says Concerning sensible objects (Chapter 5, 439a6). On the first point he does two things. He assigns sense-organs to elements , first disproving arguments of others; second determining what might more probably be the case, where he says If, then, what happens in these cases (Chapter 4, 438b16). On the first point he does two things. First he touches in general on the way in which the Ancients assigned sense-organs to elements. Second he focuses specifically on the organ of sight, about which many were mistaken, where he says But all of them have sight be made of fire (437a22). Accordingly he first says that previous philosophers...

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