Medieval thought on the universe & structure in The Beginning

Just a quick summary of what I’ve been reading recently. In no way does this cover in detail everything. Instead, just several topics in a short summary for those who might be interested. Just a very short and basic introduction.

For those living in the medieval period, the interest in the Universe was not only in its structure or its mechanisms, but fueled by a desire to find a deeper meaning in everything that was contained in the Universe.

STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSE:
Ptolemy’s model of the planets was still the dominate model during the time. With Earth in the middle with seven ‘planets’ orbiting (in order: the moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn)

Beyond Saturn were two bodies: The Stellatum (‘fixed’ stars as they appeared not to change position relative to each other) & the Primum Mobile (what came after the Stellatum, but was unable to be see by the naked eye).

THE SCALE OF NATURE
Some things were characterized by a spontaneous movement called “growth”, seen as the assimilation of matter to the animal or plant body (Reproduction being an example).
Some things has the capacity to respond to stimuli - animals
Some things had the capacity to exercise their will - humans

Degrees of spontaneous change was one dimension in which things were ordered:
NUTRITIVE - SENSITIVE - RATIONAL

Plants - Possessed a “nutritive soul” as the only form of recognized movement was growth.

Animals - Added the power of sensitivity (power to respond to stimuli) and were said to have a “sensitive soul”

Humans - Had the power of abstract reflection and the exercise of the will and had attributed to a “rational soul”

There is more to add about the structure of nature, but for tonight I’ll stop here for I don’t want to go too long.