Two different ways of defining nature

1.  The whole of physical reality - as a whole and each piece of individual matter or each individual being

		cosmos - the underlying order
		(opposite - chaos)

2.  The INNER identity of the individual things in the cosmos.

	What is a spider's nature?
	What is the nature of a guided missal?
	What is the nature of a bowling ball?

3. Natural science is about knowing nature (through ideas)

IDEOGENESIS :

	Modes of knowing:
		1. sensorial knowledge
		2.  intellectual knowledge

	                 Nihil in intellectu quod non prius fuerit in sensu

The process of moving from sensorial knowledge to intellectual knowledge begins with being.  There has to be an object to be known.  "Res"

EXTERNAL SENSES
The "five" external senses 
	receive sensorial stimuli from the res

INTERNAL SENSES
	common sense  - percept
	memory - responds to the percept (deja vu) 
	imagination - fills in details
	cognitive (estimative) - is it harmful or helpful or is it just neither - just "there"

              _________________> phantasm

Above the line is sensorial knowledge
======================================End of the passive phase, i.e. the sensorial knowledge acquisition=====================

Transition to the active phase

1.  Agent intellect
		intellectus agens

		Active phase:

		The active intellect enables HUMAN knowledge.

		The agent intellect responds to the phantasm abstracts or strips away the materiality of the res.

		to find the universal nature - the essence of the res and yields the PERCEPT

2.  Possible intellect

		Brings forth the concept / IDEA

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Cautionary Tale #1 We don't want to get into the habit of thinking that the intellect is composed of parts.

The intellect is ONE thing 

The various "parts" (i.e. what might appear to be parts) are POWERS.

Cautionary Tale #2  The IDEA (concept) is NOT the object of our knowledge.

The idea is the MEANS by which the res is linked to the mind.

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DEGREES OF ABSTRACTION

1 First Degree of Abstraction  leaving behind individuals (as individuals) to find what is common to the res.

2.  Second Degree of Abstraction - leaves behind both "individuals" AND   " matter" - materiality.  Here we focus on a very important accident known as  quantity.  

3 third degree of abstrasction leave behind ALL association of matter.