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the ethics(part iii)-第10部分
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understand what are 〃Repentance〃 and 〃Self…complacency。〃
〃Repentance〃 is 〃pain; accompanied by the idea of one's self as
cause;〃 〃Self…complacency〃 is 〃pleasure; accompanied by the
idea of one's self as cause;〃 and these emotions are most intense
because men believe themselves to be free (III。 xlix。)。
LII。 An object which we have formerly seen in conjunction with
others; and which we do not conceive to have any property that
is not common to many; will not be regarded by us for so long;
as an object which we conceive to have some property peculiar
to itself。
》》》》》ProofAs soon as we conceive an object which we have
seen in conjunction with others; we at once remember those
others (II。 xviii。 and note); and thus we pass forthwith from the
contemplation of one object to the contemplation of another
object。 And this is the case with the object; which we conceive
to have no property that is not common to many。 For we
thereupon assume that we are regarding therein nothing; which
we have not before seen in conjunction with other objects。
But when we suppose that we conceive an object something
special; which we have never seen before; we must needs say
that the mind; while regarding that object; has in itself nothing
which it can fall to regarding instead thereof; therefore it is
determined to the contemplation of that object only。 Therefore
an object; &c。 Q。E。D。
*****NoteThis mental modification; or imagination of a
particular thing; in so far as it is alone in the mind; is called
〃Wonder;〃 but if it be excited by an object of fear; it is called
〃Consternation;〃 because wonder at an evil keeps a man so
engrossed in the simple contemplation thereof; that he has no
power to think of anything else whereby he might avoid the
evil。 If; however; the object of wonder be a man's prudence;
industry; or anything of that sort; inasmuch as the said man;
is thereby regarded as far surpassing ourselves; wonder is
called 〃Veneration;〃 otherwise; if a man's anger; envy; &c。;
be what we wonder at; the emotion is called 〃Horror。〃 Again;
if it be the prudence; industry; or what not; of a man we love;
that we wonder at; our love will on this account be the greater
(III。 xii。); and when joined to wonder or veneration is called
〃Devotion。〃 We may in like manner conceive hatred; hope;
confidence; and the other emotions; as associated with wonder;
and we should thus be able to deduce more emotions than
those which have obtained names in ordinary speech。 Whence
it is evident; that the names of the emotions have been applied
in accordance rather with their ordinary manifestations than with
an accurate knowledge of their nature。
To wonder is opposed 〃Contempt;〃 which generally arises
from the fact that; because we see someone wondering at;
loving; or fearing something; or because something; at first sight;
appears to be like things; which we ourselves wonder at; love;
fear; &c。; we are; in consequence (III。 xv。 Cor。 and III。 xxvii。);
determined to wonder at; love; or fear that thing。 But if from the
presence; or more accurate contemplation of the said thing; we
are compelled to deny concerning it all that can be the cause of
wonder; love; fear; &c。; the mind then; by the presence of the
thing; remains determined to think rather of those qualities which
are not in it; than of those which are in it; whereas; on the other
hand; the presence of the object would cause it more particularly
to regard that which is therein。 As devotion springs from wonder
at a thing which we love; so does 〃Derision〃 spring from contempt
of a thing which we hate or fear; and 〃Scorn〃 from contempt of
folly; as veneration from wonder at prudence。 Lastly; we can
conceive the emotions of love; hope; honour; &c。; in association
with contempt; and can thence deduce other emotions; which are
not distinguished one from another by any recognized name。
LIII。 When the mind regards itself and its own power of activity;
it feels pleasure: and that pleasure is greater in proportion to the
distinctness wherewith it conceives itself and its own power of
activity。
》》》》》ProofA man does not know himself except through the
modifications of his body; and the ideas thereof (II。 xix。 and xxiii。)。
When; therefore; the mind is able to contemplate itself; it is thereby
assumed to pass to a greater perfection; or (III。 xi。 note) to feel
pleasure; and the pleasure will be greater in proportion to the
distinctness; wherewith it is able to conceive itself and its own
power of activity。 Q。E。D。
ProofThe endeavour or power of the mind is the actual
essence thereof (III。 vii。); but the essence of the mind obviously
only affirms that which the mind is and can do; not that which it
neither is nor can do; therefore the mind endeavours to conceive
only such things as assert or affirm its power of activity。 Q。E。D。
LV。 When the mind contemplates its own weakness; it feels pain
thereat。
》》》》》ProofThe essence of the mind only affirms that which
the mind is; or can do; in other words; it is the mind's nature to
conceive only such things as assert its power of activity (last
Prop。)。 Thus; when we say that the mind contemplates its own
weakness; we are merely saying that while the mind is attempting
to conceive something which asserts its power of activity; it is
checked in its endeavour in other words (III。 xi。 note); it feels
pain。 Q。E。D。
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