Chapter 8

We have to find the explanation of the laws of human activity
in the rational principle and its relationship with lesser agents

1200. From all that has been said, we can conclude that the potencies of the spirit are diversified according to the relationships that the rational principle has with other activities and lesser entities. In the same way, we have to find in the nature of such relationships the laws which the various potencies observe in their activity.

What we call law of nature is the constant mode shown by entia in their operations. If, therefore, we are to prepare the way for an explanation of these laws, it is not sufficient to have found the font of all human operations and all laws in the rational principle. We also need to have dealt previously with the theory of operations of entia in general. In other words, we have to present an accurate concept of operation. The mind, when furnished with such an accurate, well-analysed concept, will be able to understand the necessity of those constant modes which are noticed in the operations or modes to which the name of laws is given. This argument pertains in fact to ontology and cosmology, but so far insufficient work has been done on them for our purposes. We have to deal with them, as we have done on other occasions, by taking from them the teaching we need. We begin, therefore, by explaining the concept of operation, and demonstrating its possibility, which common sense admits without any difficulty or wonder, although the concept has proved such a great obstacle to philosophy.