the ethics(part ii)-第5节
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respect of motion and rest； speed and slowness； that is； of
bodies of the most simple character。 If； however； we now
conceive another individual composed of several individuals of
diverse natures； we shall find that the number of ways in which
it can be affected； without losing its nature； will be greatly
multiplied。 Each of its parts would consist of several bodies；
and therefore （by Lemma vi。） each part would admit； without
change to its nature； of quicker or slower motion； and would
consequently be able to transmit its motions more quickly or more
slowly to the remaining parts。 If we further conceive a third
kind of individuals composed of individuals of this second kind；
we shall find that they may be affected in a still greater
number of ways without changing their actuality。 We may easily
proceed thus to infinity； and conceive the whole of nature as
one individual； whose parts； that is； all bodies； vary in
infinite ways； without any change in the individual as a whole。
I should feel bound to explain and demonstrate this point at
more length； if I were writing a special treatise on body。 But
I have already said that such is not my object； I have only
touched on the question； because it enables me to prove easily
that which I have in view。
POSTULATES I。 The human body is composed of a number of
individual parts； of diverse nature； each one of which is in
itself extremely complex。
II。 Of the individual parts composing the human body some are
fluid； some soft； some hard。
III。 The individual parts composing the human body； and
consequently the human body itself； are affected in a variety of
ways by external bodies。
IV。 The human body stands in need for its preservation of a
number of other bodies； by which it is continually； so to speak；
regenerated。
V。 When the fluid part of the human body is determined by an
external body to impinge often on another soft part； it changes
the surface of the latter； and； as it were； leaves the
impression thereupon of the external body which impels it。
VI。 The human body can move external bodies； and arrange them in
a variety of ways。
PROPOSITIONS XIV。 The human mind is capable of perceiving a
great number of things； and is so in proportion as its body is
capable of receiving a great number of impressions。
》》》》》ProofThe human body （by Post。 iii。 and vi。） is affected in
very many ways by external bodies； and is capable in very many
ways of affecting external bodies。 But （II。xii。） the human mind
must perceive all that takes place in the human body； the human
mind is； therefore； capable of perceiving a great number of
things； and is so in proportion； &c。 Q。E。D。
XV。 The idea； which constitutes the actual being of the human
mind； is not simple； but compounded of a great number of ideas。
》》》》》ProofThe idea constituting the actual being of the human
mind is the idea of the body （II。 xiii。）； which （Post。 i。） is
composed of a great number of complex individual parts。 But
there is necessarily in God the idea of each individual part
whereof the body is composed （II。 viii。 Cor。）； therefore （II。
vii。）； the idea of the human body is composed of each of these
numerous ideas of its component parts。 Q。E。D。
XVI。 The idea of every mode； in which the human body is
affected by external bodies； must involve the nature of the
human body； and also the nature of the external body。
》》》》》ProofAll the modes； in which any given body is affected；
follow from the nature of the body affected； and also from the
nature of the affecting body （by Ax。 i。； after the Cor。 of Lemma
iii。）； wherefore their idea is also necessarily （by I； Ax。 iv。）
involves the nature of both bodies； therefore； the idea of every
mode； in which the human body is affected by external bodies；
involves the nature of the human body and of the external body。
Q。E。D。
