Cosmic order

5 passages · search this phrase →

Often appears with: fate, destiny, and necessity · the nature and attributes of God · universal reason · universal aim · the problem of evil and theodicy · sura 57 · sura 55 · sun and moon · stoic physics · self-interest versus intention · seasons and cycles · reason and the intellect

Usually: wonder (3) · argument (2) · detachment (2) · exhortation (2) · commentary or gloss (1) · reflection (1) · verse (1) · confronting death (1) · curiosity (1) · reverence (1)

Quotable

“For as there, when we say of a physician, that he hath prescribed anything, our meaning is, that he hath appointed this for that, as subordinate and conducing to health; so here, whatsoever doth happen unto any, is ordained unto him as a thing subordinate unto the fates.” Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Meditations · insight

“But through this connected frame Runs one universal aim; Towards the Good do all things tend, Many paths, but one the end.” Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy · insight

“Matter is eternal. It is God who gives form to matter, but he is not said to have created matter.” Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius · insight

The Koran (Al-Qur'an) secondary

G. Margoliouth (George) · 610-632 CE (revelations compiled progressively; book published after the prophet’s death)
Book carefully concocted from various sources, and with much extraneous aid, and published as a divine oracle, then it would seem that the author is at once open to the charge of the grossest imposture, and even of impious blasphemy. The evidence rather shews, that in all he did and wrote, Muhammad was actuated by a sincere desire to deliver his countrymen from the grossness of its debasing idolatries-that he was urged on by an intense desire to proclaim that great truth of the Unity of the Godhead which had taken full possession of his own soul-that the end to be attained justified to his mind the means he adopted in the production of his Suras-that he worked himself up into a belief that he had received a divine call-and that he was carried on by the force of circumstances, and by gradually increasing successes, to believe himself the accredited messenger of Heaven. The earnestness of those convictions which at Mecca sustained him under persecution, and which perhaps led him, at any price as it were, and by any means, not even excluding deceit and falsehood, to endeavour to rescue his countrymen from idolatry,-naturally stiffened at Medina into tyranny and unscrupulous violence. At the same time, he was probably, more or less, throughout his whole career, the victim of a certain amount of self-deception. A cataleptic13 subject from his early youth, born-according to the traditions-of a highly nervous and excitable mother, he would be peculiarly liable to morbid and fantastic hallucinations, and alternations of excitement and depression, which would win for him, in the eyes of his ignorant countrymen, the credit of being inspired. It would be easy for him to persuade himself that he was "the seal of the Prophets," > Book," "the Seven Verses of Repetition." The Muhammadans always say "Amen" (19/56)

The passage continues the translator’s repeated commentary, then supplies Qur’an Sura 57 “The Steps/Ascents” and Sura 55 “The Merciful,” stressing divine mercy, cosmic order, fair weighing, and warnings about judgment.

Cause that soul to return? Tell me, if ye speak the truth. But as to him who shall enjoy near access to God, His shall be repose, and pleasure, and a garden of delights. Yea, for him who shall be of the people of the right hand, Shall be the greeting from the people of the right hand-"Peace be to thee." But for him who shall be of those who treat the prophets as deceivers, And of the erring, His entertainment …

Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius primary

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus · composed during the reign and campaigns of Marcus Aurelius; tradition places major composition in the 2nd century CE
Section. I have also added a “1.” before the first “thought” in each > BOOK XII. (9/22)

A philosophical exposition explains Stoic physics as knowledge of universal nature and providence: reason governs eternal matter, the cosmos is ordered, and all change maintains the whole.

a man have any apprehension about the change and dissolution of all the elements [himself]? for it is according to nature; and nothing is evil that is according to nature.” The Physic of Antoninus is the knowledge of the Nature of the Universe, of its government, and of the relation of man’s nature to both. He names the universe (VI. 1), “the universal substance,” and he adds that “reason” governs the universe. He a…

Meditations primary

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus · c. 170–180 CE (books composed during imperial reign)
(40/127)

It teaches that events are “prescribed” by the nature of the universe as medicine for health, framing sickness or loss as part of fate’s harmonious order, and advising acceptance as contributing to the universe’s welfare.

the grounds and fields that belong to the Athenians.' Either we should not pray at all, or thus absolutely and freely; and not every one for himself in particular alone. VIII. As we say commonly, The physician hath prescribed unto this man, riding; unto another, cold baths; unto a third, to go barefoot: so it is alike to say, The nature of the universe hath prescribed unto this man sickness, or blindness, or some lo…

L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits primary

Lucius Annaeus Seneca · c. 59-65 CE (approx.)
BOOK I. The prevalence of ingratitude--How a benefit ought to be bestowed--The three Graces--Benefits are the chief bond of human society--What we owe in return for a benefit received--A benefit consists not of a thing but of the wish to do good--Socrates and > BOOK VI. (14/28)

He argues that even the sun and moon ‘benefit’ because their motions preserve the universe for our sake as part of it, contrasting self-interested use of humans with cosmic governance.

own sakes, still cannot do good to us in order that by our means they may do good to themselves, for what is there which we can bestow upon them? XXI. "I should be sure," replies he, "that the sun and the moon wished to do us good, if they were able to refuse to do so; but they cannot help moving as they do. In short, let them stop and discontinue their work." See now, in how many ways this argument may be refuted.…

The Consolation of Philosophy primary

Boethius · c. 523–525 CE
BOOK I. > BOOK IV. (17/18)

A poem presents the cosmos as governed by one universal aim toward the Good, with order in seasons and stars, and concludes that everything tends to its proper end and source.

heaven's height, Wheels his coursers' rapid flight, Though he sees the starry train Sinking in the western main, He repines not, nor desires In the flood to quench his fires. In true sequence, as decreed, Daily morn and eve succeed; Vesper brings the shades of night, Lucifer the morning light. Love, in alternation due, Still the cycle doth renew, And discordant strife is driven From the s…