"The Ethics" - читать интересную книгу автора (Spinoza Baruch)

is determined by itself alone. On the other hand, that
thing is necessary, or rather constrained, which is
determined by something external to itself to a fixed
and definite method of existence or action.

[D.VIII] By ETERNITY, I mean existence itself, in so far as it
is conceived necessarily to follow solely from the
definition of that which is eternal.
Explanation.-- Existence of this kind is conceived as an eternal
truth, like the essence of a thing, and, therefore, cannot be
explained by means of continuance or time, though continuance may
be conceived without a beginning or end.
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[AXIOMS]

[A.I] Everything which exists, exists either in itself or in
something else.
[A.II] That which cannot be conceived through anything else must be
conceived through itself.
[A.III] From a given definite cause an effect necessarily follows;
and, on the other hand, if no definite cause be granted,
it is impossible that an effect can follow.
[A.IV] The knowledge of an effect depends on and involves the
knowledge of a cause.
[A.V] Things which have nothing in common cannot be understood,
the one by means of the other; the conception of one does not
involve the conception of the other.
[A.VI] A true idea must correspond with its ideate or object.
[A.VII] If a thing can be conceived as non-existing, its essence
does not involve existence.

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[PROPOSITIONS:]

PROP. [I] Substance is by nature prior to its modifications.
Proof.- (1:1) This is clear from [D.iii] and [D.v] .

PROP. [II] Two substances whose attributes are different have
nothing in common.

Proof.- (2:1) Also evident from [D.iii] . For each must exist in itself, and
be conceived through itself; in other words, the conception of one does not
imply the conception of the other.

PROP. [III] Things which have nothing in common cannot be
one the cause of the other.

Proof.- (3:1) If they have nothing in common, it follows that one cannot