ABSTRACT
Theideaofoppositesorcontrariesisaveryoldone:hotandcold,moist anddry,dayandnight,summerandwinter,andmanyothers,areconceivedasactivepowersfightingeachother.Oppositesplayanimportant roleinmanyprimitiveviewsoftheworld.Theirconfrontationisstrife,or war.Thisshowsthattheroleplayedbytheopposites,theopposing powers,iscloselyconnectedwiththesocialorpoliticaltheoryofthe naturalworld,orwiththeearlyidentificationofthesocialorderandthe orderofnature,orofnormativelawsandnaturallaws.31
