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1 8 CONCERNING BEING AND ESSENCE 

it. But it is true to say that man as man does not have to be 
in this singular or in that or in the soul. Therefore it is clear 
that the nature of man absolutely considered abstracts from any 
sort of existence, yet in such wise that it does not exclude any 
of them. And this nature so considered is what is predicated 
of all individuals. Still it cannot be said that the ratio of uni- 
versal applies to nature thus considered, because unity and com- 
munity belong to the principle of the universal, whereas to 
human nature neither of these (two) applies according to its 
absolute consideration. For if community belonged to the con- 
cept of man, then in whatsoever humanity were found com- 
munity would be found. And this is false because in Socrates 
there is not found any community, but whatever is in him is 
individuated. Similarly, also, it cannot be said that the ratio 
of genus or of species belongs to human nature according to 
the existence which it has in individuals, because human na- 
ture is not found in individuals according to its unity so that 
it is a one appropriate to all, which the ratio of the universal 
demands. It follows, therefore, that the ratio of species applies 
to human nature according to that existence (esse) which it 
has in the intellect. For human nature itself has an existence 
in the intellect abstracted from all individuations, and there- 
fore it has a uniform ratio to all individuals which are outside 
the soul, according as it is equally the likeness (similitude)} 
of all and leads to the understanding of all inasmuch as they 
are men. And because it has such a relation to all individuals, 
the intellect discovers the ratio of species and attributes it to it 
(human nature). Whence the Commentator observes in the 
first book of the De Anima 10 that intellect is what actuates 
(agit) universality in things. Avicenna also says this in his 
Metaphysics. Whence, althougn this intellectual nature has 

19 Averroes, In DC An., I, com. 8, f. 4. 

20 Avicenna, Met., V, i, f., 87 b E, 87 a C- b D.