66. There are three ascending degrees in the natural world, and three ascending degrees in the spiritual world. All animals are recipients of life. Higher animals are recipients of life in all three degrees of the natural world; lower ones are recipients of life in two degrees of that world; and the lowest ones are recipients in one of its degrees. In contrast, only the human being is a recipient of life not only in the three degrees of the natural world, but also in the three degrees of the spiritual world. It is because of this that a person can be elevated to a plane above nature, unlike any animal. He can think analytically and rationally about civil and moral matters that exist within nature, and he can think analytically and rationally as well about spiritual and celestial matters which exist above nature. Indeed, he can be elevated into a state of wisdom even so far as to see God. However, we must postpone discussion of the six degrees through which the uses of all things that have been created ascend in succession even to God the Creator and take them up in their proper place. From the brief consideration here it can be seen that all things that have been created ascend to a highest being, who alone is life, and that the uses of all things-and therefore the forms of the uses-are themselves recipients of life.