Q.E.D.
Corollary.- (7:4) An emotion, in so far as it is referred to the mind,
can only be controlled or destroyed through an idea of a modification
of the body contrary to, and stronger than, that which we are undergoing.
(7:5) For the emotion which we undergo can only be checked or destroyed
by an emotion contrary to, and stronger than, itself, in other words,
(by III:[GENERAL DEFINITION OF THE EMOTIONS] ) only by an idea of a
modification of the body contrary to, and stronger than, the modification
which we undergo.
Prop. [VIII] The knowledge of good and evil is nothing else but
the emotions of pleasure or pain, in so far as we
are conscious thereof.
Proof.- (8:1) We call a thing good or evil, when it is of service or
the reverse in preserving our being ([D.i] & [D.ii] ), that is (III:[vii] ),
when it increases or diminishes, helps or hinders, our power of activity.
(2) Thus, in so far as we perceive that a thing affects us with pleasure
or pain, we call it good or evil; wherefore the knowledge of good and evil
is nothing else but the idea of the pleasure or pain, which necessarily
follows from that pleasurable or painful emotion (II:[xxii] ).
(8:3) But this idea is united to the emotion in the same way as mind
is united to body (II:[xxi] ); that is, there is no real distinction
between this idea and the emotion or idea of the modification of the
body, save in conception only.
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