The Incorporeal Impulsive Virtue of the Earth

Abstract

The impulsive virtue is an incorporeal virtue which is present in the earth and consequently can be excited in any similar body that is durable and firm through the motion of “latio” and “circumlatio” (direct and circular translation), through vibration, or “jactatio” (a hurling motion), or through turbulent movement (in other words, when a body is forcefully projected or propelled in flight or made to spin about vigorously or is pulled or driven away, etc.). When this happens, a mundane virtue of this kind is impressed on it by which it is carried from place to place (or here on the earth, through the air). The more vigorously it is propelled, the more force, and consequently the more speed, it attains and the longer its “latio” lasts, other conditions being the same.