The Sum of Perfection

...[arguing] upon the natural principles, which belong to the intention of nature; and in that same place, upon the manner of their generation and mixing with one another by the work of nature. Furthermore, we shall subsequently discuss the effects according to the opinion of the ancient philosophers. Fourthly, we shall recount the principles which serve the intention of this our work: in which we are able to imitate nature and the manner of mixing and altering, according to the course of nature with its causes to be brought back to the intention of our work.

Concerning the impediments by which the

craftsman of this work is hindered.

Chapter 1.

THERE ARE therefore two impediments occurring in this work: natural inability, and the lack of necessary expenses, or the preoccupation of labor The author identifies three practical hurdles: lack of innate talent, lack of money for materials, or being too busy with other work to focus on the "Great Work.". We say, however, that natural inability is manifold. Namely, on the part of the craftsman's own organ original: "organi"; in medieval philosophy, this refers to the physical body and the sensory tools (like eyes or hands) through which the soul interacts with the world., and on the part of the soul itself. On the part of the craftsman's organ, it is manifold: specifically because the organ may be weak or entirely corrupted.

Regarding inability from the soul, it is likewise manifold: either because the soul is perverse within the organs—possessing nothing of rectitude or reason in itself because of those organs—such as the soul of an insane person or a fool. Or because it is "fantastic" original: "fantastica"; this refers to an overactive imagination (phantasia) that is not governed by logic, leading the person to jump to wild, unfounded conclusions., unduly prone to receiving contrary forms; and suddenly stretching from one thing known to its opposite, and from one universal to its opposite with apparent likeness.