Meaning

Question

There are some who, regarding laws in their literal sense in the light of symbols of matters belonging to the intellect, are overpunctilious about the latter, while treating the former with easy-going neglect. Could you explain this meaning?what does 'their' indicate? does in the light of symbos of matters indicate "literal sense?"  does symbols belong to the intellect? Does 'some' regard laws? and such...

Avangi · Accepted Answer

It's a great sentence. Unfortunately I miss its main point, because I can't figure what he refers to as "the latter." "The former" is obviously "laws," which are treated with neglect.

It seems in terms of syntax that "the latter" should be "sense," which everything else modifies; but context suggests he's referring to "the intellect."

"Their" refers to "laws." (looking at / considering laws in terms of the exact meanings of their words)

"There are some who" (there are those who / there are people who)

I take "in the light of symbols of matters belonging to the intellect" as all one phrase, adverbial in function, modifying the participle "regarding." It describes how some people conduct this business of looking at laws in their literal sense.
I suppose you could make an argument that the phrase is adjectival, modifying "literal sense," as you suggest - sort of parenthetically, or in apposition. "This is what I mean by in their literal sense."

I can't decide if he's calling the laws symbols, or if he means we analyze the laws "in the light of" symbols (words) which describe matters belonging to the intellect.

How do they look at these laws in their literal sense? In the light!
In the light of what? In the light of symbols!
Symbols of what? Symbols of matters!
What kind of matters? Matters belonging to the intellect.

The whole thing is pretty obscure.

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