(20) It is now, therefore, time to pass on to
those matters, which appertain to the duration of the mind, without
relation to the body.
Prop. [XXI] The mind can only imagine anything,
or remember what is past, while the
body endures.
Proof.- (21:1) The mind does not express the actual existence of its
body, nor does it imagine the modifications of the body as actual,
except while the body endures (II:[viii] Coroll.); and, consequently
(II:[xxvi] ), it does not imagine any body as actually existing,
except while its own body endures. (2) Thus it cannot imagine anything
(for definition of Imagination, see II:[xvii] Note), or remember things
past, except while the body endures (see definition of Memory,
II:[xviii] Note). Q.E.D.
Prop. [XXII] Nevertheless in God there is necessarily
an idea, which expresses the essence of
this or that human body under the form of
eternity.
Proof.- (22:1) God is the cause, not only of the existence of this or
that human body, but also of its essence (I:[xxv] ). (2) This essence,
therefore, must necessarily be conceived through the very essence of
God (I:[A.iv] ), and be thus conceived by a certain eternal necessity
(I:[xvi] ); and this conception. must necessarily exist in God (II:[iii] ).
Q.E.D.
Prop. [XXIII] The human mind cannot be absolutely
destroyed with the body, but there
remains of it something which is eternal.
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