Appendix Three. Galen And Moses

In De usu partium Galen sets the doctrine of Moses against that of Epicurus, showing that they had both fallen into error. Unlike Epicurus, Moses admits that there is an order in nature and a providential plan but-and in this lies the reason for Galen's attack-he maintains the possibility of God's intervening at any time to establish order in nature, and acting in an arbitrary manner foreign to any rule or law. Although Moses' interpretation is preferable to that of Epicurus, it is, in any case, incorrect. The best system is that which does not consider only the demiurge as a source of creation, but adds the material principle.Keywords:Galen; God; Moses