P11: The first thing that constitutes the actual being of a human Mind is nothing but the idea of a singular thing which actually exists.

Dem.: The essence of man (by P10 C) is constituted by certain modes of God/Nature’s attributes, viz. (by A2) by modes of thinking, of all of which (by A3) the idea is prior in nature, and when it is given, the other modes (to which the idea is prior in nature) must be in the same individual (by A3). And therefore an idea is the first thing that constitutes the being of a human Mind. But not the idea of a thing which does not exist. For then (by P8 C) the idea itself could not be said to exist. Therefore, it will be the idea of a thing which actually exists. But not of an infinite thing. For an infinite thing (by IP21 and IP22) must always exist necessarily. But (by A1) it is absurd {that this idea should be of a necessarily existing object}. Therefore, the first thing that constitutes the actual being of a human Mind is the idea of a singular thing which actually exists, q.e.d.

Cor.: From this it follows that the human Mind is a part of the infinite intellect of God/Nature. Therefore, when we say that the human Mind perceives this or that, we are saying nothing but that God/Nature, not insofar as he is infinite, but insofar as he is explained through the nature of {II/95} the human Mind, or insofar as he constitutes the essence of the human Mind, has this or that idea; and when we say that God/Nature has this or that idea, not only insofar as he constitutes the nature of the human Mind, but insofar as he also has the idea of another thing together with the human Mind, then we say that the human Mind perceives the thing only partially, or inadequately.

Schol.: Here, no doubt, my readers will come to a halt, and think of many things which will give them pause. For this reason I ask them to continue on with me slowly, step by step, and to make no judgment on these matters until they have read through them all.