Ethics, part 2 | Page 8

in God, in so far as he constitutes the
essence of the human mind; that is (by II. xi. Cor.) the knowledge of
the said thing will necessarily be in the mind, in other words the mind
perceives it.
*****Note--This proposition is also evident, and is more clearly to be
understood from II. vii., which see.
XIII. The object of the idea constituting the human mind is the body, in
other words a certain mode of extension which actually exists, and

nothing else.
>>>>>Proof--If indeed the body were not the object of the human mind,
the ideas of the modifications of the body would not be in God (II. ix.
Cor.) in virtue of his constituting our mind, but in virtue of his
constituting the mind of something else; that is (II. xi. Cor.) the ideas of
the modifications of the body would not be in our mind: now (by II. Ax.
iv.) we do possess the idea of the modifications of the body. Therefore
the object of the idea constituting the human mind is the body, and the
body as it actually exists (II. xi.). Further, if there were any other object
of the idea constituting the mind besides body, then, as nothing can
exist from which some effect does not follow (I. xxxvi.) there would
necessarily have to be in our mind an idea, which would be the effect of
that other object (II. xi.); but (I. Ax. v.) there is no such idea.
Wherefore the object of our mind is the body as it exists, and nothing
else. Q.E.D.
*****Note--We thus comprehend, not only that the human mind is
united to the body, but also the nature of the union between mind and
body. However, no one will be able to grasp this adequately or
distinctly, unless he first has adequate knowledge of the nature of our
body. The propositions we have advanced hitherto have been entirely
general, applying not more to men than to other individual things, all of
which, though in different degrees, are animated (animata). For of
everything there is necessarily an idea in God, of which God is the
cause, in the same way as there is an idea of the human body; thus
whatever we have asserted of the idea of the human body must
necessarily also be asserted of the idea of everything else. Still, on the
other hand, we cannot deny that ideas, like objects, differ one from the
other, one being more excellent than another and containing more
reality, just as the object of one idea is more excellent than the object of
another idea, and contains more reality.
Wherefore, in order to determine, wherein the human mind differs from
other things, and wherein it surpasses them, it is necessary for us to
know the nature of its object, that is, of the human body. What this
nature is, I am not able here to explain, nor is it necessary for the proof
of what I advance, that I should do so. I will only say generally, that in
proportion as any given body is more fitted than others for doing many
actions or receiving many impressions at once, so also is the mind, of

which it is the object, more fitted than others for forming many
simultaneous perceptions; and the more the actions of the body depend
on itself alone, and the fewer other bodies concur with it in action, the
more fitted is the mind of which it is the object for distinct
comprehension. We may thus recognize the superiority of one mind
over others, and may further see the cause, why we have only a very
confused knowledge of our body, and also many kindred questions,
which I will, in the following propositions, deduce from what has been
advanced. Wherefore I have thought it worth while to explain and
prove more strictly my present statements. In order to do so, I must
premise a few propositions concerning the nature of bodies.
---Axiom I. All bodies are either in motion or at rest.
---Axiom II. Every body is moved sometimes more slowly, sometimes
more quickly.
Lemma I. Bodies are distinguished from one another in respect of
motion and rest, quickness and slowness, and not in respect of
substance.
>>>>>Proof--The first part of this proposition is, I take it, self-evident.
That bodies are not distinguished in respect of substance, is plain both
from I. v. and I. viii. It is brought out still more clearly from I. xv.,
Note.
Lemma II. All bodies agree in certain respects.
>>>>>Proof--All bodies agree in the fact, that they involve the
conception of one and the same attribute (II., Def. i.). Further, in the
fact that they may be moved less or more quickly, and may be
absolutely in motion or at rest.
Lemma