2p13sc.md (2241B)
1 We thus comprehend, not only that the human mind is united to the body, but also 2 the nature of the union between mind and body. However, no one will be able to 3 grasp this adequately or distinctly, unless he first has adequate knowledge of 4 the nature of our body. The propositions we have advanced hitherto have been 5 entirely general, applying not more to men than to other individual things, all 6 of which, though in different degrees, are animated.[3] For of everything there 7 is necessarily an idea in God, of which God is the cause, in the same way as 8 there is an idea of the human body; thus whatever we have asserted of the idea 9 of the human body must necessarily also be asserted of the idea of everything 10 else. Still, on the other hand, we cannot deny that ideas, like objects, differ 11 one from the other, one being more excellent than another and containing more 12 reality, just as the object of one idea is more excellent than the object of 13 another idea, and contains more reality. 14 15 [3] "Animata" 16 17 Wherefore, in order to determine, wherein the human mind differs from other 18 things, and wherein it surpasses them, it is necessary for us to know the nature 19 of its object, that is, of the human body. What this nature is, I am not able 20 here to explain, nor is it necessary for the proof of what I advance, that I 21 should do so. I will only say generally, that in proportion as any given body is 22 more fitted than others for doing many actions or receiving many impressions at 23 once, so also is the mind, of which it is the object, more fitted than others 24 for forming many simultaneous perceptions; and the more the actions of the body 25 depend on itself alone, and the fewer other bodies concur with it in action, the 26 more fitted is the mind of which it is the object for distinct comprehension. We 27 may thus recognize the superiority of one mind over others, and may further see 28 the cause, why we have only a very confused knowledge of our body, and also many 29 kindred questions, which I will, in the following propositions, deduce from what 30 has been advanced. Wherefore I have thought it worth while to explain and prove 31 more strictly my present statements. In order to do so, I must premise a few 32 propositions concerning the nature of bodies. 33 34