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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Philosophical Instructions Lesson Fifty-Six: Properties of Motion The Constituent Factors of Motion Noting that which has already been discussed regarding motion, it becomes clear that the occurrence of motion hinges on three things which may be called the constituents of motion: The unity of the source of abstraction of motion. Contrary to other types of change, motion is abstracted from a single existent.

Hence, every motion is a single entity in which no actual parts are to be found. The fluidity and extension of motion in the expanse of time. Since that which is gradual does not occur without a correspondence to time, motion is not abstracted from instantaneous things and fixed existents, which are outside the realm of time, and it is not attributed to them. Infinite divisibility. Just as every extension is infinitely divisible, so too is motion.

Each potential part of motion is the changing predecessor ( mutaghayyir ) in relation to the potential part which follows it, and the part which follows, with respect to the part which precedes it, is its changed successor ( mutaghayyirun ilayh ). The Features of Motion In addition to the three things mentioned above, which are grasped through meditation on the essence of motion, and which are necessary for all motions, there are other things which may be called the features of motion.

Noting the differences among them, specific kinds of motion may be considered, the most important of which are the following: 1. The channel of motion. It is possible for an existent to have numerous aspects of capacity for change. For example, it is possible for an apple to fall from a tree with a spatial or translative motion, and likewise it is possible for it to rotate or to gradually change color.

However, each of these motions has its own specific ‘channel’ ( bastar ) which distinguishes it from other motions. For example, the channel for the motion of the apple toward the ground is space, and this motion is spatial or one of displacement, or motion in the category of where ( ‘ayn ). The channel for the gradual change in its hue is color, and this is considered to be a change in the category of quality.

The channel for its rotation is position, and it is taken to be a change in the category of position. 2. The course of motion. It is possible for something to move in various ways through a single channel.