185. Each and all phenomena that occur in the spiritual world and in the natural world are composed of discrete degrees and at the same time of continuous degrees, or of degrees of height and degrees of breadth. That dimension which consists of discrete degrees we call height, and that which consists of continuous degrees we call breadth. The orientation of these relatively to the sight of the eye does not alter their being so named. Without a concept of these degrees, one can know nothing of the difference between the three heavens, nor of the difference between the love and wisdom of the angels in them, nor of the difference between the warmth and light that they possess, nor of the difference between the atmospheres which surround and envelop them. [2] Furthermore, without a concept of these degrees, one can know nothing of the difference between the interior faculties in people which are those of the mind, thus nothing of their state in regard to reformation and regeneration; nor of the difference between the exterior faculties in both angels and people which are those of the body; and nothing at all of the difference between something spiritual and something natural, and consequently nothing of their correspondence. Indeed, without a concept of these degrees, one can know nothing of any difference between the life of people and that of animals, nor of the differences between higher animals and lower ones; nor of the differences between forms of the plant kingdom, and between the material substances of the mineral kingdom. [3] It can be seen from this that people who are unaware of these degrees cannot with any judgment discern causes. They see only effects, and judge of causes on the basis of these, which is generally accomplished by a process of continuous induction from the effects. And yet causes do not produce effects through a continuous connection with them, but through a discrete one. For a cause is one thing and the effect another. The difference is like that between something prior and something subsequent, or between a formative force and the thing formed.