Note 47 — Chapter XII · APPLIED MORAL SCIENCE.
Oswald J. (Oswald Joseph) Reichel translation
At other times, social relations were explained by the theory of final causes.47 Whilst everything else exists for the sake of what is endowed with reason, individual beings endowed with reason exist for the sake of each other. Their social connection is therefore a direct natural command.48 Towards animals we never stand in a position to exercise justice, nor yet towards ourselves.49 Justice can only be exercised towards other men and towards God.50 On the combination of individuals and their mutual support rests all their power over nature. A single man by himself would be the most helpless of creatures.51