Aristotle. Mechanica. In Minor Works. Trans. W.S. Hett. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1963.

Introduction

It seems certain that this collection of “mechanical” problems and their solutions is not the work of Aristotle, though it probably is the product of the Peripatetic School. The reader will find most of them interesting, particularly those dealing with the circle and the lever. Though the author is astray in some cases, it is most surprising to find how far the science of Applied Mathematics had advanced by this date.

 

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS

Remarkable things occur in accordance with nature, the cause of which is unknown, and others occur contrary to nature, which are produced by skill for the benefit of mankind. For in many cases nature produces effects against our advantage; for nature always acts consistently and simply, but our advantage changes in many ways. When, then, we have to produce an effect contrary to nature, we are at a loss, because of the difficulty, and require skill. Therefore we call that part of skill which assists such difficulties, a device. For as the poet Antiphon wrote, this is true: “We by skill gain mastery over things in which we are conquered by nature.” Of this kind are those in which the less master the greater, and things possessing little weight move heavy weights, and all similar devices which we term mechanical problems. These are not altogether identical with physical problems, nor are they entirely separate from them, but they have a share in both mathematical and physical speculations, for the method is demonstrated by mathematics, but the practical application belongs to physics.