Friday, July 12, 2019

"We must esteem them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject"

"And since in choosing or rejecting opinions of this kind a person should not be influenced either by a liking or dislike [(amore vel odio)] for the one introducing the opinion, but rather by the certainty of truth, [Aristotle] therefore says that we must respect both parties [(oportet amare utrosque)], namely, those whose opinion we follow, and those whose opinion we reject. For both have diligently sought the truth and have aided us in this matter. Yet we must 'be persuaded by the more certain,' i.e., we must follow the opinion of those who have attained the truth with greater certitude."

"Sed, quia in eligendis opinionibus vel repudiandis, non debet duci homo amore vel odio introducentis opinionem, sed magis ex certitudine veritatis, ideo dicit quod oportet amare utrosque, scilicet eos quorum opinionem sequimur, et eos quorum opinionem repudiamus. Utrique enim studuerunt ad inquirendam veritatem, et nos in hoc adiuverunt. Sed tamen oportet nos persuaderi a certioribus, idest sequi opinionem eorum, qui certius ad veritatem pervenerunt."

     St. Thomas Aquinas, Sententia super Metaphysicam 12.9.14 (2566), trans. John P. Rowan.  Rowan, at least, transmits and translates Aristotle (1073β 15) himself as follows:
As to the number of these motions [of the heavenly bodies], in order that we may have some definite number in mind for the purpose of understanding this point, let us now state what some of the mathematicians say; but for the rest, this we must investigate partly for ourselves and partly accept the opinion of other investigators. And if anyone in treating this subject should be found to form a different opinion from the one stated here, we must respect both views but accept the more certain [(φιλεῖν μὲν ἀμφοτέρους, πείθεσθαι δὲ τοῖς ἀκριβεστέροις)].
Tredennick, on p. 157 of the second volume of the Loeb edition, reads
and if those who apply themselves to these matters come to some conclusion which clashes with what we have just stated, we must appreciate both views, but follow the more accurate.
     Aquinas is sometimes translated as follows:
We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.
But the 2nd (2012) edition of the Oxford Latin dictionary (of course more classical than high medieval) does offer both "To have regard for, . . . esteem" and "To be obliged or grateful to" (among others) for amo; and LSJ, "regard with affection", "treat affectionately or kindly, esp. welcome, entertain a guest" for φῐλέω.
     Do note, however, also the context.

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