Medieval scholars like Averroes and Aquinas grappled with the concept of motion in a void, particularly in the context of gravity and the nature of matter. Averroes, influenced by Aristotle, argued that all motion required a medium, positing that the form in inanimate objects moved the resisting medium, which then moved the matter. This view implied that motion in a void was impossible, as there would be no medium to resist the motion.
Aquinas, however, rejected Averroes' arguments, asserting that a body could move in a void with its natural velocity, given the absence of resistance. He emphasized that the form was merely the active principle of motion, not the mover itself. This perspective suggested that gravity could be understood as a natural force inherent in matter, rather than requiring a medium for its operation.
These views had significant implications for understanding gravity and matter. They contributed to the development of the idea that gravity is a fundamental property of matter, not dependent on a medium, and laid the groundwork for later scientific advancements in mechanics and physics.