“ for as there may be many men, the being of substance is not that which constitutes the actual being of man. ”
Baruch Spinoza, Ethics (1677). copy citation
| Author | Baruch Spinoza |
|---|---|
| Source | Ethics |
| Topic | |
| Date | 1677 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by R. H. M. Elwes |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3800/3800-h/3800-h.htm |
Context
“, and, consequently, man would necessarily exist, which is absurd (II. Ax. i.) . Therefore, &c. Q.E.D.
Note.—This proposition may also be proved from I.v., in which it is shown that there cannot be two substances of the same nature; for as there may be many men, the being of substance is not that which constitutes the actual being of man. Again, the proposition is evident from the other properties of substance—namely, that substance is in its nature infinite, immutable, indivisible, &c., as anyone may see for himself.
Corollary.—Hence it follows, that the essence of man is constituted by certain modifications of the attributes of God.”
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