Yorum Üzerine Şerh: Akıl Ruhu ve Sözün Aletleri

It is clear that it is the rational soul alone for which it is characteristic to use discourse. But how can it be an instrument of a physical power while being based on convention? If it seems strange to anyone because of the rule that everything which is an instrument of a physical power is itself natural, we see that the reasoning and technical power within us is supernatural, since it possesses an essence separate from any body. It is not surprising, therefore, that this soul, while operating through physical powers, necessarily uses their physical instruments, yet also creates for itself artificial instruments for its own activities. Just as for the purpose of preserving the body and defending against enemies, it uses physical instruments, the power of local motion which naturally resides in the hands and feet, but it also uses artificial ones like the sword and spear; likewise, in agriculture, construction, and other productive activities: in the same way, regarding the act of signifying, the soul uses the physical instruments of the vocal and linguistic power, the lungs, tongue, palate, teeth, and lips, but it also uses discourse and its parts.