attributed to the First what is attributed to no other existent at all and has never been observed in anything else. Its not being observed in anything else does not establish that it is impossible for the First. The same applies to the body’s soul and the body itself.

If it is said: “The outermost sphere, the sun, or whatever body is postulated has a particular magnitude, which could be greater or smaller. Its having that particular possible magnitude therefore requires something to determine it, so it cannot be the First.”

We reply: On what grounds do you reject someone’s saying that this body has the magnitude it must have for the order of the whole, and that its being smaller or larger would be impossible? You yourselves say that the outermost sphere emanates from the first effect with a particular magnitude. All other magnitudes stand in the same relation to the essence of the first effect, yet it determines one particular magnitude upon which the order depends. It thus necessitates the magnitude that actually obtains, and no other is possible. The same applies if the body is assumed to be uncaused. Indeed, even if they were to posit in the effect—then it necessitates the magnitude that actually obtains, and no other is possible. The same applies if the body is assumed to be uncaused. Indeed, even if they were to posit in the first effect, which they regard as the cause of the outermost sphere