Circular motion Quote by Thomas Aquinas
“If the motion of the earth were circular, it would be violent and contrary to nature, and could not be eternal, since nothing violent is eternal . It follows, therefore, that the earth is not moved with a circular motion.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Summa Theologiae, Part I, Question 13, Article 1
The Earth cannot move in a perfect circle because such motion would be violent, and violence cannot be eternal; therefore Earth’s motion is not circular.
In simple terms: Circular motion is violent and cannot last forever, so Earth isn’t circular.
Key Takeaway
Accept that natural motion isn’t perfectly circular.
Themes
philosophy
physics
metaphysics
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- teaching physics
- philosophical discussion
- theological argument
Key Concepts
Aristotelian physics
natural motion
eternal
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern physics concepts this view?
- Can motion be both natural and non‑circular?
A Different Perspective
Circular motion may be an oversimplification of complex celestial mechanics.
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