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Eunjinny Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Meaning

There are some who, regarding laws in their literal sense in the light of symbols of matters belonging to the intellect, are overpunctilious about the latter, while treating the former with easy-going neglect.

Could you explain this meaning?
what does 'their' indicate? does in the light of symbos of matters indicate "literal sense?" does symbols belong to the intellect? Does 'some' regard laws?
and such...
  

Top answer

It's a great sentence. " "The former" is obviously "laws," which are treated with neglect. " It describes how some people conduct this business of looking at laws in their literal sense.

— Avangi

  • It's a great sentence.
  • " "The former" is obviously "laws," which are treated with neglect.
  • " It describes how some people conduct this business of looking at laws in their literal sense.
  • I suppose you could make an argument that the phrase is adjectival, modifying "literal sense," as you suggest - sort of parenthetically, or in apposition.
  • " I can't decide if he's calling the laws symbols, or if he means we analyze the laws "in the light of" symbols (words) which describe matters belonging to the intellect.
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1 Answers
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It's a great sentence. Unfortunately I miss its main point, because I can't figure what he refers to as "the latter." "The former" is obviously "laws," which are treated with neglect.

It seems in terms of syntax that "the latter" should be "sense," which everything else modifies; but context suggests he's referring to "the intellect."

"Their" refers to "laws." (looking at / c
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