第 3 节
作者:车水马龙01      更新:2024-04-07 11:54      字数:9322
  simultaneous concurrent causes whereby it is aroused。
  Proof。… Many simultaneous causes are more powerful than a few (III:vii。):
  therefore (IV:v。); in proportion to the increased number of simultaneous
  causes whereby it is aroused; an emotion becomes stronger。 Q。E。D。
  Note。… This proposition is also evident from V:Ax。ii。
  Prop。IX。 An emotion; which is attributable to many and diverse
  causes which the mind regards as simultaneous with the emotion
  itself; is less hurtful; and we are less subject thereto and less
  affected towards each of its causes; than if it were a different and
  equally powerful emotion attributable to fewer causes or to a
  single cause。
  Proof…。 An emotion is only bad or hurtful; in so far as it hinders the mind
  from being able to think (IV:xxvi。; IV:xxvii。); therefore; an emotion;
  whereby the mind is determined to the contemplation of several things at
  once; is less hurtful than another equally powerful emotion; which so
  engrosses the mind in the single contemplation of a few objects or of one;
  that it is unable to think of anything else; this was our first point。
  Again; as the mind's essence; in other words; its power (III:vii。); consists
  solely in thought (II:xi。); the mind is less passive in respect to an
  emotion; which causes it to think of several things at once; than in regard
  to an equally strong emotion; which keeps it engrossed in the contemplation
  of a few or of a single object: this was our second point。 Lastly; this
  emotion (III:xlviii。); in so far as it is attributable to several causes; is
  less powerful in regard to each of them。 Q。E。D。
  Prop。X。 So long as we are not assailed by emotions contrary to
  our nature; we have the power of arranging and associating the
  modifications of our body according to the intellectual order。
  Proof。… The emotions; which are contrary to our nature; that is (IV:xxx。);
  which are bad; are bad in so far as they impede the mind from understanding
  (IV:xxvii。)。 So long; therefore; as we are not assailed by emotions contrary
  to our nature; the mind's power; whereby it endeavours to understand things
  (IV:xxvi。); is not impeded; and therefore it is able to form clear and
  distinct ideas and to deduce them one from another (II:xl。Note。ii。 and
  II:xlvii。Note); consequently we have in such cases the power of arranging
  and associating the modifications of the body according to the intellectual
  order。 Q。E。D。
  Note。… By this power of rightly arranging and associating the bodily
  modifications we can guard ourselves from being easily affected by evil
  emotions。 For (V:vii。) a greater force is needed for controlling the
  emotions; when they are arranged and associated according to the
  intellectual order; than when they; are uncertain and unsettled。 The best we
  can do; therefore; so long as we do not possess a perfect knowledge of our
  emotions; is to frame a system of right conduct; or fixed practical
  precepts; to commit it to memory; and to apply it forthwith to the
  particular circumstances which now and again meet us in life; so that our
  imagination may become fully imbued therewith; and that it may be always
  ready to our hand。 For instance; we have laid down among the rules of life
  (IV:xlvi。; & Note); that hatred should be overcome with love or high…
  mindedness; and not required with hatred in return。 Now; that this precept
  of reason may be always ready to our hand in time of need; we should often
  think over and reflect upon the wrongs generally committed by men; and in
  what manner and way they may be best warded off by high…mindedness: we shall
  thus associate the idea of wrong with the idea of this precept; which
  accordingly will always be ready for use when a wrong is done to us
  (II:xviii。)。 If we keep also in readiness the notion of our true
  advantage; and of the good which follows from mutual friendships; and common
  fellowships; further; if we remember that complete acquiescence is the
  result of the right way of life (IV:lii。); and that men; no less than
  everything else; act by the necessity of their nature: in such case I say
  the wrong; or the hatred; which commonly arises therefrom; will engross a
  very small part of our imagination and will be easily overcome; or; if the
  anger which springs from a grievous wrong be not overcome easily; it will
  nevertheless be overcome; though not without a spiritual conflict; far
  sooner than if we had not thus reflected on the subject beforehand。 As is
  indeed evident from V:vi。;V:vii。;V:viii。 We should; in the same way; reflect
  on courage as a means of overcoming fear; the ordinary dangers of life
  should frequently be brought to mind and imagined; together with the means
  whereby through readiness of resource and strength of mind we can avoid and
  overcome them。 But we must note; that in arranging our thoughts and
  conceptions we should always bear in mind that which is good in every
  individual thing (IV:lxiii。Coroll。 and III:lix。); in order that we may
  always be determined to action by an emotion of pleasure。 For instance; if
  a man sees that he is too keen in the pursuit of honour; let him think over
  its right use; the end for which it should be pursued; and the means whereby
  he may attain it。 Let him not think of its misuse; and its emptiness; and
  the fickleness of mankind; and the like; whereof no man thinks except
  through a morbidness of disposition; with thoughts like these do the
  most ambitious most torment themselves; when they despair of gaining the
  distinctions they hanker after; and in thus giving vent to their anger would
  fain appear wise。 Wherefore it is certain that those; who cry out the
  loudest against the misuse of honour and the vanity of the world; are those
  who most greedily covet it。 This is not peculiar to the ambitious; but is
  common to all who are ill…used by fortune; and who are infirm in spirit。
  For a poor man also; who is miserly; will talk incessantly of the misuse of
  wealth and of the vices of the rich; whereby he merely torments himself; and
  shows the world that he is intolerant; not only of his own poverty; but also
  of other people's riches。 So; again; those who have been ill received by a
  woman they love think of nothing but the inconstancy; treachery; and other
  stock faults of the fair sex; all of which they consign to oblivion;
  directly they are again taken into favour by their sweetheart。 Thus he who
  would govern his emotions and appetite solely by the love of freedom
  strives; as far as he can; to gain a knowledge of the virtues and their
  causes; and to fill his spirit with the joy which arises from the true
  knowledge of them: he will in no wise desire to dwell on men's faults; or to
  carp at his fellows; or to revel in a false show of freedom。 Whosoever will
  diligently observe and practise these precepts (which indeed are not
  difficult) will verily; in a short space of time; be able; for the most
  part; to direct his actions according to the commandments of reason。
  Prop。XI。 In proportion as a mental image is referred to more
  objects; so is it more frequent; or more often vivid; and occupies
  the mind more。
  Proof。… In proportion as a mental image or an emotion is referred to more
  objects; so are there more causes whereby it can be aroused and fostered;
  all of which (by hypothesis) the mind contemplates simultaneously in
  association with the given emotion; therefore the emotion is more frequent;
  or is more often in full vigour; and (V:viii。) occupies the mind more。
  Q。E。D。
  Prop。XII。 The mental images of things are more easily
  associated with the images referred to things which we clearly
  and distinctly understand; than with others。
  Proof。… Things; which we clearly and distinctly understand; are either the
  common properties of things or deductions therefrom (see definition of
  Reason; II:。xl。Note ii。); and are consequently (by the last Prop。) more
  often aroused in us。 Wherefore it may more readily happen; that we should
  contemplate other things in conjunction with these than in conjunction with
  something else; and consequently (II:xviii。) that the images of the said
  things should be more often associated with the images of these than with
  the images of something else。 Q。E。D。
  Prop。 XIII。 A mental image is more often vivid; in proportion
  as it is associated with a greater number of other images。
  Proof。… In proportion as an image is associated with a greater number of
  other images; so (II:xviii。) are there more causes whereby it can be
  aroused。 Q。E。D。
  Prop。 XIV。 The mind can bring it about; that all bodily
  modifications or images of things may be referred to the
  idea of God。
  Proof。… There is no modification