Book 12
1
The subject of Mind involves certain difficulties. Mind is held to be of all phenomena the most supernatural; but the question of how we must regard it if it is to be of this nature involves certain difficulties. If Mind thinks nothing, where is its dignity? It is in just the same state as a man who is asleep. If it thinks, but something else determines its thinking, then since that which is its essence is not thinking but potentiality,i.e., if its thinking is determined by something else, Mind is only a potentiality, and not (as described in Aristot. Met. 12.7.1-9) the highest actuality. it cannot be the best reality; because it derives its excellence from the act of thinking.
2
Again, whether its essence is thought or thinking, what does it think? It must think either itself or something else; and if something else, then it must think either the same thing always, or different things at different times. Then does it make any difference, or not, whether it thinks that which is good or thinks at random?
