Apologetics -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Celsus (Platonic philosopher), active 180; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
3. But since a rational animal not only has within itself these natural
movements, but has moreover, to a greater extent than other animals, the
power of reason, by which it can judge and determine regarding natural
movements, and disapprove and reject some, while approving and adopting
others, so by the judgment of this reason may the movements of men be
governed and directed towards a commendable life. And from this it
follows that, since the nature of this reason which is in man has within
itself the power of distinguishing between good and evil, and while
distinguishing possesses the faculty of selecting what it has approved,
it may justly be deemed worthy of praise in choosing what is good, and
deserving of censure in following that which is base or wicked. This
indeed must by no means escape our notice, that in some dumb animals
there is found a more regular movement[366] than in others, as in
hunting-dogs or war-horses, so that they may appear to some to be moved
by a kind of rational sense. But we must believe this to be the result
not so much of reason as of some natural instinct,[367] largely bestowed
for purposes of that kind. Now, as we had begun to remark, seeing that
such is the nature of a rational animal, some things may happen to us
human beings from without; and these, coming in contact with our sense
of sight, or hearing, or any other of our senses, may incite and arouse
us to good movements, or the contrary; and seeing they come to us from
an external source, it is not within our own power to prevent their
coming. But to determine and approve what use we ought to make of those
things which thus happen, is the duty of no other than of that reason
within us, _i.e._ of our own judgment; by the decision of which reason
we use the incitement, which comes to us from without for that purpose,
which reason approves, our natural movements being determined by its
authority either to good actions or the reverse.
FROM THE GREEK.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account