" ([D.ii] )
Prop.[XI] The first element, which constitutes the actual
of the human mind, is the idea of some particular
thing actually existing.
Proof.- (11:1) The essence of man (by the Coroll. of [x] ) is constituted
by certain modes of the attributes of God, namely (by [A.ii] ), by
the modes of thinking, of all which (by [A.iii] ) the idea is prior in
nature, and, when the idea is given, the other modes (namely, those of
which the idea is prior in nature) must be in the same individual (by the
same Axiom). (2) Therefore an idea is the first element constituting the
human mind. (3) But not the idea of a non- existent thing, for then
([viii] Coroll.) the idea itself cannot be said to exist; it must
therefore be the idea of something actually existing. (4) But not of an
infinite thing. (5) For an infinite thing (I:[xxi] , I:[xxii] ), must
always necessarily exist; this would (by [A.i] ) involve an absurdity.
(11:6) Therefore the first element, which constitutes the actual being of
the human mind, is the idea of something actually existing. Q.E.D.
Corollary.- (11:7) Hence it follows, that the human mind is part of the
infinite intellect of God; thus when we say, that the human mind perceives
this or that, we make the assertion, that God has this or that idea, not
in so far as he is infinite, but in so far as he is displayed through the
nature of the human mind, or in so far as he constitutes the essence of
the human mind; and when we say that God has this or that idea, not only
in so far as he constitutes the essence of the human mind, but also in so
far as he, simultaneously with the human mind, has the further idea of
another thing, we assert that the human mind perceives a thing in part or
inadequately.
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