Discourse on Mechanics.

where we must be mindful of mechanical arts and advantages. And finally, the desire, as it were, innate to humans to always think of something new also seeks what is useful for either profit or amusement, which is subsequently improved by diligence, art, and skill.

There are many types of machines: some have their movement in and of themselves, which were called Automata by the Greeks and can be found described by Heron of Alexandria. Others, however, are not of this quality and receive their movement from inanimate things, such as air, water, fire; or even from living things, such as humans themselves and all kinds of animals.

The Greeks and Latins have given extensive rules and instructions regarding the variable and diverse construction of machines, and have also prescribed how to use and apply them; but the proofs of these rules can only be fetched and explained from mathematical and physical sciences. However, since a great difference is to be found in these arts and sciences themselves, the ancient philosophers and mechanics have distinguished them by certain marks and qualities. Therefore, Pappus, as well as the two Herons, Proclus, Lycius, and others, divide mechanics into Logica logical and Chyrurgica surgical/manual.

Mechanica Logica is that which is founded upon mathematical sciences, such as geometry, arithmetic, astrology, and physiology, and which learns to invent all kinds of machines according to their principles, which, if applied skillfully and intelligently, mathematically prove at the same time that the machine crafted by art and diligence has its complete correctness.

Mechanica Chyrurgica, on the other hand, comprises only those works that depend solely on the manual labor itself, and for this, no learning is required, as perhaps for the former, but only a clever head and attentiveness. An artist can properly pursue his profession and often invent and discover something out of a natural, good aptitude and drive; hence he may also be called a Mechanicus, but Chyrurgicus and not Logicus. For there are various reflective arts that can be grasped without learning and science: such as skillful locksmithing, construction itself, wood carving, painting, stucco, stonemasonry, and sculpture. If one is practiced in these and does not know how to provide proof for why he made this or that in this way and not another, he is called a Mechanicus Chyrurgicus because he has grasped the mechanical arts only insofar as he understands how to apply them rightly and skillfully according to some natural prudence, and thereby proves that he is no bungler.

A Mechanicus Logicus, however, studies philosophy and Mathesin mathematics first before he undertakes certain mechanical works himself; indeed, before he even thinks about what requires both understanding and manual labor, and reflects upon this properly, he first learns and makes himself familiar with those arts and sciences that also consist of mere practice; such as: how to make all kinds of war equipment, how to handle that which has its movement through springs, how to make clocks, and how to install waterworks and other such things. If someone wanted to undertake this, and yet had neither understanding nor any thorough knowledge of these important things, it would not allow him to adopt and maintain the name of a true Mechanicus Logicus.