4644. CONCERNING PERCEPTION. I spoke with spirits concerning perception; to the effect, that perception is of a twofold character: one kind of which relates to civil and moral concerns, and is the perception of justice and rectitude - the other to celestial and spiritual concerns, and is the perception of good and truth. The former is for man in the world, and exists naturally - the latter is for man in the other life or for his spirit: the latter is interior or superior; the former is exterior or inferior; and the former is the plane of the latter; for good and truth can inflow into justice and rectitude as into their corresponding for. As respects inferior perception, or that which relates to civil and moral concerns, it exists with men, and is the perception of justice and rectitude; and it is called common sense. They who have the perception of justice, can, at once, from a few things which they know, perceive whether a thing is just or not. But they who have the perception of rectitude, are not able to do so in this way, but from the laws, and such things as they have learned. It is evident that the former is more excellent than the latter. These perceptions exist naturally. But, at this day, the perception of celestial good and spiritual truth does not exist. There existed [a perception] of celestial good with those who were of the celestial Church, and it is called the perception of good; it exists also immediately from the Lord. The perception of truth is given with those who have conscience; but it is in accordance with the truth which they have learned, impressed upon themselves, and become acquainted with; this, also, is from the Lord by means of conscience. These are called spiritual; but how great is the difference is manifest. From the perception relating to civil and moral concerns, men are called rational: from the perception of good, celestial, and of truth, spiritual; and [the two last] are eminently rational.