Later philosophers such as Lucretius , Averroes , Avicenna and Baruch Spinoza altered or refined these divisions . For example , Averroes and Spinoza have active principles governing the Universe which act on passive elements . Later philosophers such as Lucretius , Averroes , Avicenna and Baruch Spinoza altered or refined these divisions ; for example , Averroes and Spinoza discern natura naturans ( the active principles governing the universe ) from natura naturata , the passive elements upon which the former act .