Prop.[XXX] We can only have a very inadequate
knowledge of the duration of our body.
Proof.- (30:1) The duration of our body does not depend on its essence
([A.i] ), nor on the absolute nature of God ([xxi] ). (2) But (I:[xxviii] )
their turn a it is conditioned to exist and operate by causes, which in
turn are conditioned to exist and operate in a fixed and definite relation
by other causes, these last again being conditioned by others, and so on
to infinity. (3) The duration of our body therefore depends on the common
order of nature, or the constitution of things. (4) Now, however a thing
may be constituted, the adequate knowledge of that thing is in God, in
so far as he has the ideas of all things, and not in so far as he
the idea of the human body only. ([ix] Coroll.). (30:5) Wherefore the
knowledge of the duration of our body is in God very inadequate, in so
far as he is only regarded as constituting the nature of the human mind;
that is ([xi] Coroll.), this knowledge is very inadequate in our mind.
Q.E.D.
Prop.[XXXI] We can only have a very inadequate knowledge of
the duration of particular things external to
ourselves.
Proof.- (31:1) Every particular thing, like the human body, must be
conditioned by another particular thing to exist and operate in a fixed
and definite relation; this other particular thing must likewise be
conditioned by a third, and so on to infinity.
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