Q.E.D.
Prop. [VIII] An emotion is stronger in proportion to
the number of simultaneous concurrent
causes whereby it is aroused.
Proof.- (8:1) Many simultaneous causes are more powerful than a few
(III:[vii] ): therefore (IV:[v] ), in proportion to the increased
number of simultaneous causes whereby it is aroused, an emotion
becomes stronger. Q.E.D.
Note.- (8:2) This proposition is also evident from [A.ii.]
Prop. [IX] An emotion, which is attributable to many
and diverse causes which the mind regards
as simultaneous with the emotion itself,
is less hurtful, and we are less subject
thereto and less affected towards each of
its causes, than if it were a different and
equally powerful emotion attributable to
fewer causes or to a single cause.
Proof-. (9:1) An emotion is only bad or hurtful, in so far as it hinders
the mind from being able to think (IV:[xxvi] , IV:[xxvii] ); therefore,
an emotion, whereby the mind is determined to the contemplation of several
things at once, is less hurtful than another equally powerful emotion,
which so engrosses the mind in the single contemplation of a few objects
or of one, that it is unable to think of anything else; this was our first
point. (2) Again, as the mind's essence, in other words, its power
(III:[vii] ), consists solely in thought (II:[xi] ), the mind is less
passive in respect to an emotion, which causes it to think of several
things at once, than in regard to an equally strong emotion, which keeps
it engrossed in the contemplation of a few or of a single object: this
was our second point.
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