2854. The ability to contemplate and be moved by purposes distinguishes the human being from brute animals
I spoke with spirits, saying that it is purposes in human beings that guide them and which they strive to achieve; and that it is the contemplation of purposes that distinguishes the human being from the brutes. The brute animal is ignorant of the ends, due to the nature of its soul. But a human being should know the ends, and strive for them, contemplate them, and be moved by them. Therefore, since the final and prime purpose of human beings is life eternal, and since it is their nature to be able to contemplate purposes, therefore unless they contemplate the true purpose, or their eternal state, and thus the Lord, they are not human beings. 1748, 17 Aug. 1
Footnotes:
1. Possibly for "19 Aug."
2854. THAT THE INTUITION OF ENDS AND PERCEPTIVE AFFECTION DISTINGUISHES MAN FORM THE BRUTES.
I spoke with spirits [to this effect] that ends in man are what lead him, and what man aims at, to obtain; also that the intuition of ends is what distinguishes man from the brutes. A brute animal is ignorant of ends, because his soul is of such a nature. But man ought to know ends and aspire to them, view them, and be affected by them. Since therefore the first and last end of man, is eternal life, and he is of such a nature that he can view ends, wherefore unless man views the true end, or his eternal state, and so the Lord, he is not a man. - 1748, August 17.
2854. Quod finium intuitio et affectio perceptiva distinguat hominem a brutis
Loquutus sum cum spiritibus, quod fines in homine sint qui eum ducant, et quos homo affectat, ut obtineat, tum quod finium intuitio sit quae hominem distinguit a brutis; brutum animal ignorat fines, quia anima ejus talis est; homo autem scire debet fines, et eos affectare, eos intueri, et iis affici; cum itaque finis hominis 1
ultimus et primus, est vita aeterna, et talis est, ut intueri fines possit, ideo 2
nisi homo intuetur verum finem, seu statum suum aeternum, et sic Dominum, non est homo. 1748, 17 3
Aug.
Footnotes:
1. The Manuscript has hominus
2. The Manuscript has ...quare
3. sic Manuscript fortasse pro 19