Certain Rules Of Life : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], CERTAIN RULES OF LIFE [17] (1) Yet, as it is necessary that while we are endeavoring to attain our purpose, and bring the understanding into the right path we should carry on our life, we are compelled first of all to lay...
First Part Of Method. And From False Ideas : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], AND FROM FALSE IDEAS [64] (1) Secondly, it follows that if a complex object be divided by thought into a number of simple component parts, and if each be regarded separately, all confusion will disappear. (2) Thirdly, it...
Second Part Of Method. How To Define Understanding : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], HOW TO DEFINE UNDERSTANDING [107] (1) But, so far as we have not got any rules for finding definitions, and, as we cannot set forth such rules without a previous knowledge of nature, that is without a definiti...
First Part Of Method. Of Memory And Forgetfulness : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], OF MEMORY AND FORGETFULNESS [81] (1) These are the points I promised to discuss in the first part of my treatise on method. (2) However, in order not to omit anything which can conduce to the knowledge of the understanding...
First Part Of Method. Mental Hindrances : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], MENTAL HINDRANCES FROM WORDS--AND FROM THE POPULAR CONFUSION OF READY IMAGINATION WITH DISTINCT UNDERSTANDING [86] (1) Hence, as far as is possible at the outset, we have acquired a knowledge of our understanding, and such...
Of The Instruments Of The Intellect, Or True Ideas : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], OF THE INSTRUMENTS OF THE INTELLECT, OR TRUE IDEAS [33] (1) A true idea, [m], (for we possess a true idea) is something different from its correlate (ideatum); thus a circle is different from the idea of a circle. (2)...
Of The Four Modes Of Perception : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], OF THE FOUR MODES OF PERCEPTION [19] (1) Reflection shows that all modes of perception or knowledge may be reduced to four:--I. (2) Perception arising from hearsay or from some sign which everyone may name as he please. II...
First Part Of Method. Of Doubt : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], OF DOUBT [77] (1) Thus far we have treated of the false idea. We have now to investigate the doubtful idea--that is, to inquire what can cause us to doubt, and how doubt may be removed. (2) I speak of real doubt existing...
Of The Best Mode Of Perception : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], OF THE BEST MODE OF PERCEPTION [25] (1) In order that from these modes of perception the best may be selected, it is well that we should briefly enumerate the means necessary for attaining our end. I. (2) To have an exact...
Second Part Of Method. Its Object, The Acquisiti : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], SECOND PART OF METHOD ITS OBJECT, THE ACQUISITION OF CLEAR AND DISTINCT IDEAS [91] [91e] (1) Now, in order at length to pass on to the second part of this method, I shall first set forth the object aimed at, and next...
Notice To The Reader : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], [NOTICE TO THE READER.] (This notice to the reader was written by the editors of the Opera Postuma in 1677. Taken from Curley, Note 3, at end) *This Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect etc., which we give you here...
Second Part Of Method. Its Means, Good Definitions : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], ITS MEANS, GOOD DEFINITIONS--CONDITIONS OF DEFINITION [94] (1) Thus the true method of discovery is to form thoughts from some given definition. (2) This process will be the more fruitful and easy in proportion as the thing...
First Part Of Method. Distinction Of True : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], FIRST PART OF METHOD DISTINCTION OF TRUE IDEAS FROM FICTITIOUS IDEAS [50] (1) Let us then make a beginning with the first part of the method, which is, as we have said, to distinguish and separate the true idea from other...
Second Part Of Method. Endnotes : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], ENDNOTES Spinoza's Endnotes: Marks as per Curley, see Note 5 above. [a] (1) This might be explained more at large and more clearly: I mean by distinguishing riches according as they are pursued for their own sake...
Title Page : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], On the Improvement of the Understanding Tractatus de Intellectus Emendatione (Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect) by Baruch Spinoza [Benedict de Spinoza] Translated by R. H. M. Elwes
Of The True And Final Good : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], OF THE TRUE AND FINAL GOOD [12] (1) I will here only briefly state what I mean by true good, and also what is the nature of the highest good. (2) In order that this may be rightly understood, we must bear in mind th...
Of The Ordinary Objects Of Men's Desires : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], OF THE ORDINARY OBJECTS OF MEN'S DESIRES (1) I therefore debated whether it would not be possible to arrive at the new principle, or at any rate at a certainty concerning its existence, without changing the conduct and usual...
Answers To Objections : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS [43] (1) It may, perhaps, provoke astonishment that, after having said that the good method is that which teaches us to direct our mind according to the standard of the given true idea, we should prove...
On The Improvement Of The Understanding : * "On the Improvement of Understanding", by Benedict de Spinoza, [1883], ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE UNDERSTANDING (1) After experience had taught me that all the usual surroundings of social life are vain and futile; seeing that none of the objects of my fears contained in themselves anything...