What does the Rambam mean when he says that the planets have souls?
Rambam states in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah, Chapter 3, Section 9 that each of the planets have a soul, knowledge, and intellect.
כל הכוכבים והגלגלים כולן בעלי נפש ודעה והשכל הם והם חיים ועומדים ומכירין את מי שאמר והיה העולם
All of the stars and spheres possess a soul, knowledge, and intellect. They are alive and stand in recognition of the One who spoke and [thus brought] the world into being.
What are we to understand from this? It's a rather strange concept indeed when you get to thinking about it.
hashkafah-philosophy rambam anthropomorphism
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Rambam states in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah, Chapter 3, Section 9 that each of the planets have a soul, knowledge, and intellect.
כל הכוכבים והגלגלים כולן בעלי נפש ודעה והשכל הם והם חיים ועומדים ומכירין את מי שאמר והיה העולם
All of the stars and spheres possess a soul, knowledge, and intellect. They are alive and stand in recognition of the One who spoke and [thus brought] the world into being.
What are we to understand from this? It's a rather strange concept indeed when you get to thinking about it.
hashkafah-philosophy rambam anthropomorphism
I'm not sure what you find confusing
– Double AA♦
yesterday
@DoubleAA Sounds like the Rambam is saying planets have conscientiousness.
– ezra
yesterday
Yes, so what do you find confusing?
– Double AA♦
21 hours ago
1
Came to this question expecting Purim Torah, am leaving having learned something!
– OldBunny2800
18 hours ago
add a comment |
Rambam states in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah, Chapter 3, Section 9 that each of the planets have a soul, knowledge, and intellect.
כל הכוכבים והגלגלים כולן בעלי נפש ודעה והשכל הם והם חיים ועומדים ומכירין את מי שאמר והיה העולם
All of the stars and spheres possess a soul, knowledge, and intellect. They are alive and stand in recognition of the One who spoke and [thus brought] the world into being.
What are we to understand from this? It's a rather strange concept indeed when you get to thinking about it.
hashkafah-philosophy rambam anthropomorphism
Rambam states in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah, Chapter 3, Section 9 that each of the planets have a soul, knowledge, and intellect.
כל הכוכבים והגלגלים כולן בעלי נפש ודעה והשכל הם והם חיים ועומדים ומכירין את מי שאמר והיה העולם
All of the stars and spheres possess a soul, knowledge, and intellect. They are alive and stand in recognition of the One who spoke and [thus brought] the world into being.
What are we to understand from this? It's a rather strange concept indeed when you get to thinking about it.
hashkafah-philosophy rambam anthropomorphism
hashkafah-philosophy rambam anthropomorphism
asked yesterday
ezraezra
11.5k21356
11.5k21356
I'm not sure what you find confusing
– Double AA♦
yesterday
@DoubleAA Sounds like the Rambam is saying planets have conscientiousness.
– ezra
yesterday
Yes, so what do you find confusing?
– Double AA♦
21 hours ago
1
Came to this question expecting Purim Torah, am leaving having learned something!
– OldBunny2800
18 hours ago
add a comment |
I'm not sure what you find confusing
– Double AA♦
yesterday
@DoubleAA Sounds like the Rambam is saying planets have conscientiousness.
– ezra
yesterday
Yes, so what do you find confusing?
– Double AA♦
21 hours ago
1
Came to this question expecting Purim Torah, am leaving having learned something!
– OldBunny2800
18 hours ago
I'm not sure what you find confusing
– Double AA♦
yesterday
I'm not sure what you find confusing
– Double AA♦
yesterday
@DoubleAA Sounds like the Rambam is saying planets have conscientiousness.
– ezra
yesterday
@DoubleAA Sounds like the Rambam is saying planets have conscientiousness.
– ezra
yesterday
Yes, so what do you find confusing?
– Double AA♦
21 hours ago
Yes, so what do you find confusing?
– Double AA♦
21 hours ago
1
1
Came to this question expecting Purim Torah, am leaving having learned something!
– OldBunny2800
18 hours ago
Came to this question expecting Purim Torah, am leaving having learned something!
– OldBunny2800
18 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
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oldest
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Rambam discusses this at length in Book II of Guide for the Perplexed. Particularly chapters 4-5 would be informative on this topic. You can read them online in the Friendlander English translation here. Chapter Four in fact opens by noting that you might find it strange at first:
THE enunciation that the heavenly sphere is endowed with a soul will appear reasonable to all who sufficiently reflect on it; but at first thought they may find it unintelligible or even objectionable; because they wrongly assume that when we ascribe a soul to the heavenly spheres we mean something like the soul of man, or that of an ass, or ox. We merely intend to say that the locomotion of the sphere undoubtedly leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul.
A little later he states:
The circular motion of the sphere is consequently due to the action of some idea which produces this particular kind of motion; but as ideas are only possible in intellectual beings, the heavenly sphere is an intellectual being.
And a little later:
It follows that the heavenly sphere must have a desire for the ideal which it has comprehended, and that ideal, for which it has a desire, is God, exalted be His name! When we say that God moves the spheres, we mean it in the following sense: the spheres have a desire to become similar to the ideal comprehended by them. This ideal, however, is simple in the strictest sense of the word, and not subject to any change or alteration, but constant in producing everything good, whilst the spheres are corporeal: the latter can therefore not be like this ideal in any other way, except in the production of circular motion: for this is the only action of corporeal beings that can be perpetual; it is the most simple motion of a body; there is no change in the essence of the sphere, nor in the beneficial results of its motion.
These quotes should give you a taste of the general idea, but again you may want to read the chapters at length for the full experience.
+1 So basically gravity is a soul. Relatively speaking that's a universally interesting idea.
– user6591
20 hours ago
Does this mean that planets are selfish, their souls grabbing at everything in a close enough vicinity?
– DonielF
16 hours ago
add a comment |
Rambam's reasoning is [seemingly] simple (to elaborate Alex's quote "...leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul."):
Nature is divided into animated and unanimated.
Animated world possesses the lowest form of a soul - the Nefesh (out of נרנח"י). Nefesh is one that allows it to move.
Unlike the Earth and plants that stand still, celestial bodies move. Moreover, they seem to move on their own (nobody pushes them) and they move in circular (nonlinear) trajectories.
Therefore they must possess Nefesh.
Therefore, like all animals, they are self-aware and knowledgeable (see שירת הבריאה).
Because they belong to the upper world beyond the firmament and close to G-d, they know G-d very much.
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Rambam discusses this at length in Book II of Guide for the Perplexed. Particularly chapters 4-5 would be informative on this topic. You can read them online in the Friendlander English translation here. Chapter Four in fact opens by noting that you might find it strange at first:
THE enunciation that the heavenly sphere is endowed with a soul will appear reasonable to all who sufficiently reflect on it; but at first thought they may find it unintelligible or even objectionable; because they wrongly assume that when we ascribe a soul to the heavenly spheres we mean something like the soul of man, or that of an ass, or ox. We merely intend to say that the locomotion of the sphere undoubtedly leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul.
A little later he states:
The circular motion of the sphere is consequently due to the action of some idea which produces this particular kind of motion; but as ideas are only possible in intellectual beings, the heavenly sphere is an intellectual being.
And a little later:
It follows that the heavenly sphere must have a desire for the ideal which it has comprehended, and that ideal, for which it has a desire, is God, exalted be His name! When we say that God moves the spheres, we mean it in the following sense: the spheres have a desire to become similar to the ideal comprehended by them. This ideal, however, is simple in the strictest sense of the word, and not subject to any change or alteration, but constant in producing everything good, whilst the spheres are corporeal: the latter can therefore not be like this ideal in any other way, except in the production of circular motion: for this is the only action of corporeal beings that can be perpetual; it is the most simple motion of a body; there is no change in the essence of the sphere, nor in the beneficial results of its motion.
These quotes should give you a taste of the general idea, but again you may want to read the chapters at length for the full experience.
+1 So basically gravity is a soul. Relatively speaking that's a universally interesting idea.
– user6591
20 hours ago
Does this mean that planets are selfish, their souls grabbing at everything in a close enough vicinity?
– DonielF
16 hours ago
add a comment |
Rambam discusses this at length in Book II of Guide for the Perplexed. Particularly chapters 4-5 would be informative on this topic. You can read them online in the Friendlander English translation here. Chapter Four in fact opens by noting that you might find it strange at first:
THE enunciation that the heavenly sphere is endowed with a soul will appear reasonable to all who sufficiently reflect on it; but at first thought they may find it unintelligible or even objectionable; because they wrongly assume that when we ascribe a soul to the heavenly spheres we mean something like the soul of man, or that of an ass, or ox. We merely intend to say that the locomotion of the sphere undoubtedly leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul.
A little later he states:
The circular motion of the sphere is consequently due to the action of some idea which produces this particular kind of motion; but as ideas are only possible in intellectual beings, the heavenly sphere is an intellectual being.
And a little later:
It follows that the heavenly sphere must have a desire for the ideal which it has comprehended, and that ideal, for which it has a desire, is God, exalted be His name! When we say that God moves the spheres, we mean it in the following sense: the spheres have a desire to become similar to the ideal comprehended by them. This ideal, however, is simple in the strictest sense of the word, and not subject to any change or alteration, but constant in producing everything good, whilst the spheres are corporeal: the latter can therefore not be like this ideal in any other way, except in the production of circular motion: for this is the only action of corporeal beings that can be perpetual; it is the most simple motion of a body; there is no change in the essence of the sphere, nor in the beneficial results of its motion.
These quotes should give you a taste of the general idea, but again you may want to read the chapters at length for the full experience.
+1 So basically gravity is a soul. Relatively speaking that's a universally interesting idea.
– user6591
20 hours ago
Does this mean that planets are selfish, their souls grabbing at everything in a close enough vicinity?
– DonielF
16 hours ago
add a comment |
Rambam discusses this at length in Book II of Guide for the Perplexed. Particularly chapters 4-5 would be informative on this topic. You can read them online in the Friendlander English translation here. Chapter Four in fact opens by noting that you might find it strange at first:
THE enunciation that the heavenly sphere is endowed with a soul will appear reasonable to all who sufficiently reflect on it; but at first thought they may find it unintelligible or even objectionable; because they wrongly assume that when we ascribe a soul to the heavenly spheres we mean something like the soul of man, or that of an ass, or ox. We merely intend to say that the locomotion of the sphere undoubtedly leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul.
A little later he states:
The circular motion of the sphere is consequently due to the action of some idea which produces this particular kind of motion; but as ideas are only possible in intellectual beings, the heavenly sphere is an intellectual being.
And a little later:
It follows that the heavenly sphere must have a desire for the ideal which it has comprehended, and that ideal, for which it has a desire, is God, exalted be His name! When we say that God moves the spheres, we mean it in the following sense: the spheres have a desire to become similar to the ideal comprehended by them. This ideal, however, is simple in the strictest sense of the word, and not subject to any change or alteration, but constant in producing everything good, whilst the spheres are corporeal: the latter can therefore not be like this ideal in any other way, except in the production of circular motion: for this is the only action of corporeal beings that can be perpetual; it is the most simple motion of a body; there is no change in the essence of the sphere, nor in the beneficial results of its motion.
These quotes should give you a taste of the general idea, but again you may want to read the chapters at length for the full experience.
Rambam discusses this at length in Book II of Guide for the Perplexed. Particularly chapters 4-5 would be informative on this topic. You can read them online in the Friendlander English translation here. Chapter Four in fact opens by noting that you might find it strange at first:
THE enunciation that the heavenly sphere is endowed with a soul will appear reasonable to all who sufficiently reflect on it; but at first thought they may find it unintelligible or even objectionable; because they wrongly assume that when we ascribe a soul to the heavenly spheres we mean something like the soul of man, or that of an ass, or ox. We merely intend to say that the locomotion of the sphere undoubtedly leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul.
A little later he states:
The circular motion of the sphere is consequently due to the action of some idea which produces this particular kind of motion; but as ideas are only possible in intellectual beings, the heavenly sphere is an intellectual being.
And a little later:
It follows that the heavenly sphere must have a desire for the ideal which it has comprehended, and that ideal, for which it has a desire, is God, exalted be His name! When we say that God moves the spheres, we mean it in the following sense: the spheres have a desire to become similar to the ideal comprehended by them. This ideal, however, is simple in the strictest sense of the word, and not subject to any change or alteration, but constant in producing everything good, whilst the spheres are corporeal: the latter can therefore not be like this ideal in any other way, except in the production of circular motion: for this is the only action of corporeal beings that can be perpetual; it is the most simple motion of a body; there is no change in the essence of the sphere, nor in the beneficial results of its motion.
These quotes should give you a taste of the general idea, but again you may want to read the chapters at length for the full experience.
answered yesterday
AlexAlex
22.8k155130
22.8k155130
+1 So basically gravity is a soul. Relatively speaking that's a universally interesting idea.
– user6591
20 hours ago
Does this mean that planets are selfish, their souls grabbing at everything in a close enough vicinity?
– DonielF
16 hours ago
add a comment |
+1 So basically gravity is a soul. Relatively speaking that's a universally interesting idea.
– user6591
20 hours ago
Does this mean that planets are selfish, their souls grabbing at everything in a close enough vicinity?
– DonielF
16 hours ago
+1 So basically gravity is a soul. Relatively speaking that's a universally interesting idea.
– user6591
20 hours ago
+1 So basically gravity is a soul. Relatively speaking that's a universally interesting idea.
– user6591
20 hours ago
Does this mean that planets are selfish, their souls grabbing at everything in a close enough vicinity?
– DonielF
16 hours ago
Does this mean that planets are selfish, their souls grabbing at everything in a close enough vicinity?
– DonielF
16 hours ago
add a comment |
Rambam's reasoning is [seemingly] simple (to elaborate Alex's quote "...leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul."):
Nature is divided into animated and unanimated.
Animated world possesses the lowest form of a soul - the Nefesh (out of נרנח"י). Nefesh is one that allows it to move.
Unlike the Earth and plants that stand still, celestial bodies move. Moreover, they seem to move on their own (nobody pushes them) and they move in circular (nonlinear) trajectories.
Therefore they must possess Nefesh.
Therefore, like all animals, they are self-aware and knowledgeable (see שירת הבריאה).
Because they belong to the upper world beyond the firmament and close to G-d, they know G-d very much.
add a comment |
Rambam's reasoning is [seemingly] simple (to elaborate Alex's quote "...leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul."):
Nature is divided into animated and unanimated.
Animated world possesses the lowest form of a soul - the Nefesh (out of נרנח"י). Nefesh is one that allows it to move.
Unlike the Earth and plants that stand still, celestial bodies move. Moreover, they seem to move on their own (nobody pushes them) and they move in circular (nonlinear) trajectories.
Therefore they must possess Nefesh.
Therefore, like all animals, they are self-aware and knowledgeable (see שירת הבריאה).
Because they belong to the upper world beyond the firmament and close to G-d, they know G-d very much.
add a comment |
Rambam's reasoning is [seemingly] simple (to elaborate Alex's quote "...leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul."):
Nature is divided into animated and unanimated.
Animated world possesses the lowest form of a soul - the Nefesh (out of נרנח"י). Nefesh is one that allows it to move.
Unlike the Earth and plants that stand still, celestial bodies move. Moreover, they seem to move on their own (nobody pushes them) and they move in circular (nonlinear) trajectories.
Therefore they must possess Nefesh.
Therefore, like all animals, they are self-aware and knowledgeable (see שירת הבריאה).
Because they belong to the upper world beyond the firmament and close to G-d, they know G-d very much.
Rambam's reasoning is [seemingly] simple (to elaborate Alex's quote "...leads us to assume some inherent principle by which it moves; and this principle is certainly a soul."):
Nature is divided into animated and unanimated.
Animated world possesses the lowest form of a soul - the Nefesh (out of נרנח"י). Nefesh is one that allows it to move.
Unlike the Earth and plants that stand still, celestial bodies move. Moreover, they seem to move on their own (nobody pushes them) and they move in circular (nonlinear) trajectories.
Therefore they must possess Nefesh.
Therefore, like all animals, they are self-aware and knowledgeable (see שירת הבריאה).
Because they belong to the upper world beyond the firmament and close to G-d, they know G-d very much.
answered 15 hours ago
Al BerkoAl Berko
6,2641529
6,2641529
add a comment |
add a comment |
I'm not sure what you find confusing
– Double AA♦
yesterday
@DoubleAA Sounds like the Rambam is saying planets have conscientiousness.
– ezra
yesterday
Yes, so what do you find confusing?
– Double AA♦
21 hours ago
1
Came to this question expecting Purim Torah, am leaving having learned something!
– OldBunny2800
18 hours ago