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26 CONCERNING BEING AND ESSENCE 

means of which it subsists in the nature of things. And for 
this reason substances of this sort are said by some to be com- 
posed of that by virtue of which it is (quo esi) and that which 
it is (quod est), or of that which it is and existence, as 
Boethius says. 27 

And since potency and act are posited in intelligences it will 
not be difficult to find a multitude of intelligences, which 
would be impossible if there were no potency in them. Whence 
the Commentator says in the third book of the De Anlrna^ 
that if the nature of the possible intellect were unknown we 
should not be able to discover multiplicity in separate sub- 
stances. Therefore the distinction of these in regard to one 
another is according to their grade (measure) of potency and 
act, so that a superior intelligence which is more proximate to 
the first (being) has more of act and less of potency, and so 
for others. And this is fulfilled in the human soul which holds 
the lowest grade among intellectual substances. Whence its 
possible intellect is disposed towards (se habet ad) intelligible 
forms just as first matter, which holds the lowest grade in 
sensible existence, is disposed towards sensible forms, as the 
Commentator remarks in book three on the De Animal And 
therefore the Philosopher 80 compares it to a tablet upon which 
nothing is written, and for this reason among other intelligible 
substances it has more potency. Accordingly, it is made to be 
so close to material things that the material thing is drawn to 
participate in its existence, so that from soul and body results 
one existence in one composite, although that existence accord- 
ing as it pertains to soul is not dependent upon the body. And 
therefore after that form which is in the soul are discovered 



27 Boethius, DC Hcbd., PL, t. 64, col. 1311 C. 

28 Avcrroes, In De An., Ill, com. 5, f. 118. 
29 Averroes, In DC An., Ill, com. 5, p. 113 
30 Aristotle, De An., Ill, 430 a i.