Page:Philosophical Review Volume 3.djvu/180

164 can in creatures be found only in many and divers modes. For this reason, indeed, are things diverse, that they have diverse forms, from which they derive their species, and thus from their end is derived the reason of diversity of form in creatures.

"Now, from diversity of form arises the reason of order in things. For since a form is that according to which a thing has existence, and everything accordingly as it has being approaches to the likeness of God, who is His own simple being, a form is necessarily nothing else than a divine likeness communicated to creatures; whence Aristotle, speaking of form (Phys. I, text. comm. 81), says that it is 'something divine and appetible.' . . . Now a likeness viewed in respect to one simple entity can be diversified only inasmuch as it approaches more or less to its type. . . . Whence it is manifest that diversity of entities demands not that all be equal, but that there be among them order and gradation.

"From diversity of form . . . follows difference of operation; . . . and because by its natural operation everything reaches its end, the particular ends of creatures are necessarily various, though there is a last end common to all. . . . From diversity of form there follows likewise a various habitude of matter to composites. . . . Certain forms require simple matter, and some composite matter; and according to difference of form must there be a difference in the composition of the parts, suited to the species of the form and to its operation.

"From diversity of habitude to matter follows diversity of agents and subjects of action. . . . From diversity of forms and matters and agents follows diversity of properties and accidents," whether as caused by the substance itself or by some extrinsic agent.

With reason, then, may we dwell on the argument from design, more particularly since the almost exclusive attention of men to the physical sciences, while withdrawing them from metaphysical and, be it said, most useful arguments, has, nevertheless, made them marvelously familiar with the wonders of both the macrocosm and the microcosm. Even David