the ethics(part ii)-第5章
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continue its motion; and the angle made by the line of motion in
the recoil and the plane of the body at rest; whereon the moving
body has impinged; will be equal to the angle formed by the line
of motion of incidence and the same plane。
So far we have been speaking only of the most simple bodies;
which are only distinguished one from the other by motion and
rest; quickness and slowness。 We now pass on to compound
bodies。
DefinitionWhen any given bodies of the same or different
magnitude are compelled by other bodies to remain in contact; or
if they be moved at the same or different rates of speed; so
that their mutual movements should preserve among themselves a
certain fixed relation; we say that such bodies are 'in union;'
and that together they compose one body or individual; which is
distinguished from other bodies by the fact of this union。
…Axiom IIIIn proportion as the parts of an individual; or
a compound body; are in contact over a greater or less
superficies; they will with greater or less difficulty admit of
being moved from their position; consequently the individual
will; with greater or less difficulty; be brought to assume
another form。 Those bodies; whose parts are in contact over
large superficies; are called 'hard;' those; whose parts are in
contact over small superficies; are called 'soft;' those; whose
parts are in motion among one another; are called 'fluid。'
Lemma IV。 If from a body or individual; compounded of several
bodies; certain bodies be separated; and if; at the same time;
an equal number of other bodies of the same nature take their
place; the individual will preserve its nature as before; without
any change in its actuality (forma)。
》》》》》ProofBodies (Lemma i。) are not distinguished in respect of
substance: that which constitutes the actuality (formam) of an
individual consists (by the last Def。) in a union of bodies; but
this union; although there is a continual change of bodies; will
(by our hypothesis) be maintained; the individual; therefore;
will retain its nature as before; both in respect of substance
and in respect of mode。 Q。E。D。
Lemma V。 If the parts composing an individual become greater or
less; but in such proportion; that they all preserve the same
mutual relations of motion and rest; the individual will still
preserve its original nature; and its actuality will not be
changed。
》》》》》ProofThe same as for the last Lemma。
Lemma VI。 If certain bodies composing an individual be compelled
to change the motion; which they have in one direction; for
motion in another direction; but in such a manner; that they be
able to continue their motions and their mutual communication in
the same relations as before; the individual will retain its own
nature without any change of its actuality。
》》》》》ProofThis proposition is self…evident; for the individual
is supposed to retain all that; which; in its definition; we
spoke of as its actual being。
Lemma VII。 Furthermore; the individual thus composed preserves
its nature; whether it be; as a whole; in motion or at rest;
whether it be moved in this or that direction; so long as each
part retains its motion; and preserves its communication with
other parts as before。
》》》》》ProofThis proposition is evident from the definition of an
individual prefixed to Lemma iv。
*****NoteWe thus see; how a composite individual may be
affected in many different ways; and preserve its nature
notwithstanding。 Thus far we have conceived an individual as
composed of bodies only distinguished one from the other in
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。)