Sextus Empiricus: Physics 367
argument from the organization of the surrounding cosmos. Now they
say that the substance of things [i.e., matter], being in itself immobile
and shapeless, requires some cause by which it is moved and shaped.
And therefore just as when we see a well-shaped work of bronze we long
to know the craftsman, since it is itself constituted of immobile matter,
so, seeing the material of the universe moving and endowed with form
and organization, we might reasonably inquire into the cause that moves
it and shapes it variously. 76. It is not plausible to suppose this to be
anything other than a power which pervades in the [same] way that our
soul pervades us. So, this power is either self-moving or moved by some
other power. And if it is moved by some other power, it will be impossible
for the other power to be moved unless it is moved by another, which
is absurd. There is, then, some power, self-moving in itself, which would
be divine and everlasting. For either it will move itself everlastingly or
move itself beginning at some particular time. But it will not move itself
beginning at some particular time. For there will not be a cause of its
moving itself at some particular time. Therefore, the power that moves
matter and leads it in orderly fashion to generations and changes is
everlasting. So, this is god.
- Further, that which generates rational and prudent beings is itself
certainly rational and prudent. Indeed, the above-mentioned power is of
the nature to produce men, and so it will be rational and prudent, and
this is just what a divine nature is. Therefore, gods exist .... - And Cleanthes argued as follows. If one nature is better than another,
there is some nature that is best. If one soul is better than another, there is
some soul that is best. And if one animal is better than another, there is
some animal that is best. For such [comparisons] are not of a nature to
fall into an infinite regress. So, just as nature could not be infinitely
increased in greatness, so too neither could soul or animal. 89. But one
kind of animal is better than another, as for example, the horse is better
than the tortoise and the bull is better than the ass, and the lion better
than the bull. And man, in his bodily and psychic disposition, excels and
is the best of all the terrestrial animals. Therefore, there is some animal
that is best and most excellent. - Yet man cannot be the absolutely best animal, considering just the
fact that he conducts his whole life in vice-and if not exactly his whole
life, then the greatest part of it, for if he ever does get ahead in virtue,
he does so late and in the evening of his life. His life is subject to fate
and is weak and in need of countless things to assist him in living, such
as food, shelter, and other kinds of care for the body, which importune
him and exact daily tribute like a cruel tyrant; and if we don't render
the body homage by washing, anointing, clothing, and feeding it, it