[Milton-L] angelic knowledge

[Harold Skulsky]

Apropos of "Milton's suggestion that [angels] do indeed have a spiritous
substance," is this merely a suggestion, or rather a direct consequence
of his commitment to (Christian) materialism? If the latter, surely
Milton will be moved by the logic of his own position to assign his
angels forms of (representational) cognition  — including a version of
sense perception —  consistent with being made of matter, and
supremely malleable matter at that. Milton of course is familiar with
Michael Psellus and Aquinas and Ficino and Wolleb and many other
angelological authorities; but aren't we dealing with an ardent
metaphysician whose own project would take precedence of any external
influence? (For "ardent metaphiysician" read: maverick.)