A. Mac he D sibi lity of Meenas’ 
- & _ There is an apparent a to the existence of a least dis- 
ce, or least magnitude, turnin upon an ingenious fallacy re- 
yecting motion, which may.as well be resolved at this point. 
Jt appears from experiment that bodies move with unequal 
«g elocity, that is, traverse equal spaces in unequal times ; time 
) eing measured by some common standard. Now, ‘let. wo bodies 
traverse a given distance, greater than the least 
velocity, 1 that is, in unequal times; on the hypoth : 
uous motion,’ other things being equal, since their velocities differ, » 
they must traverse some one east space or least distat nce 
being measured by some standard common to both. But. 
Sreck the’ least distance is to make the least motion, or the leas 
change of place, which, in the nature of things, can ‘be; conse-— 
quently, the bodies supposed make a least motion ora east change: 
of place, which in the nature of things, can e in unequal times. 
And if the bodies supposed make a least motion in unequal 
times, then bodies of unequal velocity in akin some one. least 
motion or least change of» * ce while their velocity remaqys 
the nce of 
particular case, without supposing a contradiction - 
out supposing that a body moving with a given velocity 
necessary in the nature of things to the existence of them 
‘and then to suppose, . the same body, moving with ¢ 
velocity, can make the same least motion in a time less than th 
one necessary in the satiae of things to, the existence of 1 
motion, which is absurd. Yet this is the fallacy at the basis is 
the yarious and celebrated sophisms used by the ancients agains : 
-theipossibility of motion. It generally comes:in the shane of a 
interrogation, thus 
of place. What has the body moving with the less velo 
consequently geduining sy ypore time as necessa vet dr to th 
rs , done mre rm 
at. ow far has 
tions necessary to the “Ben ce seal 
requisite time is, sby ssuppos | 
ine we it is to ask wif,  a.conttadction be tru 
, what 
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