Proof.- (28:1) This proposition is self-evident. (2) For whatsoever we
understand clearly and distinct we understand either through itself, or
through that which is conceived through itself; that is, ideas which are
clear and distinct in us, or which are referred to the third kind of
knowledge (II:[xl] Note ii.) cannot follow from ideas that are fragmentary,
and confused, and are referred to knowledge of the first kind, but must
follow from adequate ideas, or ideas of the second and third kind of
knowledge; therefore (III:[De.i] ), the desire of knowing things by the
third kind of knowledge cannot arise from the first, but from the second
kind. Q.E.D.
Prop. [XXIX] Whatsoever the mind understands under
the form of eternity, it does not
understand by virtue of conceiving the
present actual existence of the body,
but by virtue of conceiving the essence
of the body under the form of eternity.
Proof.- (29:1) In so far as the mind conceives the present existence of
its body, it to that extent conceives duration which can be determined
by time, and to that extent only, has it the power of conceiving things
in relation to time ([xxi] , II:[xxvi] ). (2) But eternity cannot be
explained in terms of duration (I:[D.viii] and explanation).
(29:3) Therefore to this extent the mind has not the power of
conceiving things under the form of eternity, but it possesses such
power, because it is of the nature of reason to conceive things under
the form of eternity (II:[xliv] Coroll.
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