Page:Theory of Mind of Roger Bacon.djvu/23

 is gained likewise for the effects which it shall produce. Moreover, the Species can be only an effect of the Agent, and not numerically identical with it; for otherwise the presence of the Species in the Patient would remain to be accounted for. And having essentially an incomplete being, it requires no further account when its work is done. Again, as effect univocal with the Agent, it may be conceived as truly representing and carrying on the work of the Agent. And as principal effect it serves well as a medium between the Agent and those effects which are essentially unlike the Agent. In reference to the Agent, therefore, it satisfies any demands of the emission conception. Finally, it must be even numerically identical with the complete Effect, in order thereby to account for the similarity between this Effect and its Agent; and thus it satisfies the demands of the Aristotelian eduction conception.

One has only to name the motives, to see how in their interplay collision is inevitable. To be sure, an attempt at reconciliation ought to be made; and that shall be done. But, in the meantime, much unnecessary puzzling will be saved the reader, if he will bear in mind, that Bacon is not always clear, because he is frequently ambiguous.

4. GENESIS OF THE SPECIES.

We come now to that aspect of his theory wherein lies the greatest difficulty, as Bacon assures us, namely, the genesis of the Species. The critical examination of this, as of the other aspects of the theory, is reserved for later pages. Our business-in-hand is to get clearly before us that which Bacon meant to say with reference to it. And therefore, even though he does not in the end succeed in presenting his meaning clear of all ambiguities and inconsistencies, it is important that the reader should have in the sharpest possible outline the meaning which Bacon intended to give.

We have seen that the species is an effect of the Agent and therefore so far to be treated as other effects. Now the production of all natural effects is by the way of alteration, or eduction from the active potentiality of the Matter of the Patient; and so it must be in the case of the Species. In order that this may appear as necessarily obvious, Bacon first examines the other suggested ways of its genesis.

—These may be, by development out of something external to the Agent and the Patient; or through creation out of nothing; or by emission from the Agent; or by way