ject to change. These are called the sciences. The mechanical power is that by which man learns the arts, as that of architecture, agriculture, medicine, or navigation. The intellectual power is that by which man reflects upon the possibility or manner of doing an intended action. The soul, which is a unit, but which has many powers or parts, bears the same relation to the intellect (השכל) as matter does to form.
Chapter II, like Chapter I, is psychological in character.[1] It deals with the powers of the soul, obedient or disobedient to the Law, and the determination of the parts which produce virtues or vices. Violations (עבירות) and observances (מצות) of the Law are found only in two of the parts of the soul, namely, the perceptive and the appetitive. The nutritive and the imaginative have no violations nor observances connected with them, since these powers have neither knowledge nor choice. There is some doubt as regards the rational power, but if it has violations and observances, they are, respectively, beliefs in false or true doctrines.
Virtues are of two kinds, ethical virtues (מעלות המדות) and intellectual virtues (מעלות השכליות). Their opposites are the two kinds of vices. Intellectual virtues are found in the rational part. These virtues are wisdom (חכמה), which is the knowledge of the near and remote causes (סבות) of things based on a previous knowledge of their existence; reason (שכל), which in turn comprises (a) innate, theoretical reason (השכל העיוני והוא הנמצא לנו בטבע); (b) acquired reason (השכל הנקנה); (c) sagacity (זכות התבונה), or intellectual cleverness (טוב ההבנה), or the ability to quickly understand a thing. The vices of this power are the opposites of these virtues. The ethical virtues belong only to the appetitive part, and in this connection the perceptive part is subservient to the appetitive. The virtues of this power are very numerous. They are moderation (זהירות); liberality (נדיבות); probity (יושר); meekness (ענוה); humility (שפלות הרוח); contentedness (הסתפקות); bravery (גבורה), and uprightness (אמונה). The vices of this power consist of
- ↑ On the title of Chapter II, see Hebrew text, p. 14, n. 1.
