The nature of motion -- Causes, forces, and resistance -- The concept of the function in fourteenth-century physics -- The significance of the theory of impetus for Scholastic natural philosophy -- Galileo and the Scholastic theory of impetus -- The theory of the elements and the problem of their participation in compounds -- The achievements of late Scholastic natural philosophy.

Avicenna’s theory of compounds had virtually no effect on scholastic philosophy. It is always mentioned, indeed, but only to be rejected. At most, one finds that certain thinkers take up this or that particular thought of his; or that, regarding the issue of compounds, the fundamental Averroistic or Thomistic position exhibits a certain Avicennistic tinge. This is particularly the case when it comes to Albertus Magnus, who wants to follow the thoroughly Aristotelian-Averroistic conception, while being convinced that the doctrines of (...) Averroes and Avicenna are fundamentally the same. His judgment agrees above all with that of Averroes. Since one and the same matter cannot receive many substantial forms, one cannot say that the elements in the compound are contained such that the substantial forms are wholly preserved. On the other hand, however, since the properties of the elements are found in the compound body, neither can one say that their substantial forms are in no way preserved. “And for that reason Aristotle said that the intensities of those substantial forms are reduced, and thus that in part they are preserved and in part they are changed: and so all arrive at an intermediate.”. (shrink)

The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics predicts the formation of distinct parallel worlds as a result, of a quantum mechanical measurement. Communication among these parallel worlds would experimentally rule out alternatives to this interpretation. A possible procedure for “interworld” exchange of information and energy, using only state of the art quantum optical equipement, is described. A single ion is isolated from its environment in an ion trap. Then a quantum mechanical measurement with two discrete outcomes is performed on another system, (...) resulting in the formation of two parallel worlds. Depending on the outcome of this measurement the ion is excited from only one of the parallel worlds before the ion decoheres through its interaction with the environment. A detection of this excitation in the other parallel world is direct evidence for the many-worlds interpretation. This method could have important practical applications in physics and beyond. (shrink)

Taking as a point of departure Sudbrack's affirmation regarding the task proposed by Hildegard of Bingen - that is to say, valuing the ambit of perception in the way that Kant valued the realm of reason in his critique ofpure reason - the present work presents a study of the relation between reason and love in Scivias. The rigorous analytic study of the concept «rationalitas» - to discover its relationship with love - shows itself, effectively, in «sensus rationalitatis», so that (...) it is the senses that mediate the problem of reason and love, and explain it according to the Incarnation and the mystery of the Trinity. Hence the exceptional trinitarian and pneumatological depth in Hildegard's Scivias effectively provides a new response to the problem of reason and love in the light of the formula «symphonia rationalitiatis». (shrink)

El presente artículo investiga el misterio del «ser» en el Comentario de Alberto Magno a la Teología Mística y las Epistulas de Dionisio Areopagita, a través de una lectura circular del Corpus Dionysianum, comentado en torno a 1250 por Alberto en su totalidad a diferencia de Tomás de Aquino. Dicho comentario pone de manifiesto la estructura propia de toda la obra albertina, su forma mentis y su método. Como tal, este estudio se suma al interés renovado por la obra albertina (...) en la línea de la «ciencia mística». This article investigates the mystery of «being» in the Comment Albertus Magnus the Mystical Theology and Epistulas of Dionysius, through a circular Dionysianum Corpus reading, said around 1250 by Alberto in its entirety a difference Aquinas. This comment reveals the structure of the entire albertina work, its forma mentis and method. As such, this study adds to renewed work in the Albertine line of the «mystical science» interest. (shrink)