Cause Principle Unity

A general account of bonding
then to that same degree we hate and reject the other. These two feelings,
or rather, in the last analysis, this one feeling of love (whose substance
includes hate) dominates all things, is lord over all things, and elevates,
arranges, rules and moderates all things. This bond dissolves all the other
bonds. For example, female animals who are restrained by the bond of
Venus do not get along well with other females, and males do not tolerate
rival male suitors. They neglect food and drink and even life itself, not giving
up even when conquered. Rather, the more they are worn out, the more
they press on, fearing neither storms nor the cold. Because of this argument,
Aristippus decided that the highest good is bodily, and especially
sexual, pleasure, but he held before his eyes a rather animalistic view of man
as a result of his own conclusion. But still, it is true that the more skilful
and clever bonding agent, who uses things which the one to be bound or
tied loves and hates, expands his pathway to the bonds of the other feelings.
For indeed, love is the bond of bonds.
17. The time and place of bonds. Even though the best seed is sown, the generation
of new things does not occur always and everywhere. Likewise,
bonds are not effective always and everywhere in capturing an object, but
only at the proper time and with the appropriate disposition of the object.
18. The distinction of bonds. There are no purely natural or purely voluntary
bonds (in the sense in which people commonly distinguish between the
natural and the voluntary). The will acts with the participation of the intellect,
while the intellect is not limited by the will but acts everywhere, except
where nothing exists. We have proven this in other places, and thus it
would be useless to discuss the matter further here. According to our
understanding, there are three different types of bonds: the natural, the
rational and the voluntary (even though all things are based on one natural
foundation). Consequently, to some degree we cannot set boundaries
between one type of bond and another. Thus, the laws of prudence do not
prohibit love, but love beyond reason. And the deceivers of the foolish prescribe
without reason limits to reason, and condemn the laws of nature.
And the most corrupt say that nature is corrupt, because humans are not
raised above nature like heroes but are degraded like beasts as against
nature and are beneath all dignity.
19. The development and stages of a bond. According to the Platonists, the
construction of the bond of Cupid occurs as follows. First, some type of
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