Thursday, July 11, 2019

Indefinite Dyad and Circle

Lucretian Swerve is an example of the Indefinite Dyad, since it consists in a deviation from some determinate motion.  Now, as is clearer in Epicurus' original term Clinamen, from 'incline', the deviation may be only momentary, since the new motion might subsequently revert to determinacy.  So, Swerve is more patently illustrated by continuous deviation, i. e. by a curve, and, hence, ultimately,  by perpetual curvature.  But the figure that illustrates perpetual curvature is the Circle, doubly so, because perpetual motion is infinite.  So, if there is a symbol of the Indefinite Dyad, it is the Circle.

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