Here, again, we encounter the perplexity consequent on the use of ambiguous phraseology. The term "Law" is employed in an equivocal sense, as denoting, indifferently, property and relation, condition and cause, antecedent and consequence. In such an atmosphere of verbal haze it is impossible to see clearly or think correctly. We must feel our way toward a purer light, and find a less wavering stand-point. The primary and generic conception of law is "_the authoritative expression of Will_." This is the most natural, the most obvious, and the most legitimate conception. The true notion of Will is the synthesis of Reason and Power. Power exerted in the forms of reason is self-consciousness. Reason manifested in the forms of power is self-determination. Self-consciousness and self-determination are the two elements of personality. More explicitly, we may therefore define law as "_the idea of the Reason enforced by Power_." The subjects of legislation are: 1. _The actions of Free Beings._ To ascertain the laws in this case is to answer the question, What _ought_ to be done? 2. _The processes of Thought._ To ascertain the laws in this case is to answer the questions, Why do we judge or affirm this or that? and, What are the grounds and criteria of certitude? 3. _The facts or events of Nature._ To ascertain the laws in this case is to answer the questions, _What_ are the facts in their observed order? _How_ or from what causes do they arise? _Why_ or for what end do they exist? It is under the last division that we encounter the secondary and symbolical senses in which the term law has come to be used by scientific men, which have well-nigh supplanted the primary and only legitimate signification. That which lies nearest to sense--the phenomena of nature--first engages the awakening intellect. If the attention is confined solely to the phenomena of nature, the simple question propounded is, _What_ is the observed order of the facts? At this stage science can be no more than a classification of phenomena according to their relations of co-existence, resemblance, and succession, and law must be defined as "_the uniformity of relations among phenomena_."[251] Here the term is taken _objectively_, and the facts are simply conceived as perceived by the senses.