Running head: C16 10/20 SPINOZA 1

Part two preposition six

Spinozas proposition six explains that if anything that an intellect perceives to be

independent of another, and is of substance, has to be altered with, an infinite being having

infinite characteristics has to be part of it. Moreover, intellect has to consider it to be substantial

on it, more than on any other that is intellectually considered as substantial. As such, what

defines an independent substance must be consisting of a majority of many infinite

characteristics as compared to other beings.

Part two preposition seven

In part two preposition seven, Spinoza explains that whatever the mind conceives can be

manifested in actions. Therefore, what we imagine as existing is defined by our ability to observe

its effects. As such, even if a being with infinite and eternal attributes cannot be visualized, we

can attest to its existence and its thinking through its visible actions. A mode of extension and the

idea of the same are one and the same but expressed differently. For example, a ball existing in

nature and the idea of an actual ball which is also in God is one, and the same thing though

explained through different attributes.