(Gen9:8) And inasmuch as the essence of mind consists in the fact
(II:[xi] , II:[xiii] ), that it affirms the actual existence of its own
body, and inasmuch as we understand by perfection the very essence
of a thing, it follows that the mind passes to greater or less
perfection, when it happens to affirm concerning its own body, or
any part thereof, something involving more or less reality than
before.
(Gen:9) When, therefore, I said above that the power of the mind is
increased or diminished, I merely meant that the mind had formed of
its own body, or of some part thereof, an idea involving more or less
of reality, than it had already affirmed concerning its own body.
(Gen:10) For the excellence of ideas, and the actual power of thinking
are measured by the excellence of the object. (11) Lastly, I have
added by the presence of which the mind is determined to think of one
thing rather than another, so that, besides the nature of pleasure
and pain, which the first part of the definition explains, I might
also express the nature of desire.
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End of "The Ethics - Part III"
"Joseph B. Yesselman"
October 20, 1997
The Ethics - Part IV
Of Human Bondage,
or the Strength of the Emotions
Circulated - 1673
Posthumously Published - 1677
Baruch Spinoza
1632 - 1677
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JBY Notes:
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