The First Principles of Natural Things

...is in it a similar endeavor original: "conatus"—a technical term in physics referring to an internal inclination or effort toward motion. or effort to produce it.

2. That in the first Finite The first discrete substance produced from the "simple" point. resulting from this, there is a spiral motion of the parts. The same principle applies to the other elementary Finites, in all of which a similar rule exists.

3. That from this single cause, there arises in every Finite a progressive motion of the parts, an axial original: "axillary"—rotating on an axis. motion of the whole, and—provided there is no obstacle—a local motion of the whole.

4. That if there is a local motion, an Active Swedenborg’s term for a particle in a state of high-energy, constant motion. arises from it, similar to the agent producing it and differing only in degree and dimension.

Because of this, we admit only three types of entities: Finites, Actives, and those compounded of the two, namely Composites or Elementaries.

With respect to Finites, we assert that one is generated by another, and that all Finites of the resulting class share the greatest possible similarity to one another, differing only in degree and dimensions. Consequently, the fifth Finite is similar to the fourth; the fourth to the third; the third to the second; the second to the first; and the first to its own proper Simple The non-extended, mathematical point that serves as the origin of all things.. Thus, whoever understands the nature of one knows the nature of all.

In the same way, we assert that Actives share the greatest possible similarity to one another; that the fifth, fourth, third, second, and first Actives are all of the same nature, differing only in dimension and degree, just like Finites.

Furthermore, we assert that Elementaries are also similar to one another, since they are composed of the Finite and the Active—the Finites occupying the surface original: "superficies" and the Actives occupying the interior. Therefore, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth Elements are all similar to one another; so that he who knows the nature of one knows the nature of all.

We maintain, moreover, that in every Finite there are three motions: a progressive motion of the parts, an axial motion, and a local motion (provided there is no obstacle). I am not aware that any other natural motions could be assigned to these extremely simple entities. Even if they could, I do not believe there are any others than those I have mentioned; nor do I believe that any other motions could be assigned that are more consistent with nature—assuming one grants these entities have motion, which I think no rational person would deny. We observe again that all these motions proceed from one source original: "fountain-head", or from one and the same cause—namely, from a spiral motion of the...