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Improvement of the Understanding by Benedictus de Spinoza
page 16 of 57 (28%)
the idea of Peter. (6) This is the same as saying that, in order
to know, there is no need to know that we know, much less to
know that we know that we know. (7) This is no more necessary
than to know the nature of a circle before knowing the nature of
a triangle. [n]. (8) But, with these ideas, the contrary is the
case: for, in order to know that I know, I must first know.

[35] (1) Hence it is clear that certainty is nothing else than
the subjective essence of a thing: in other words, the mode in
which we perceive an actual reality is certainty. (2) Further,
it is also evident that, for the certitude of truth, no further
sign is necessary beyond the possession of a true idea: for,
as I have shown, it is not necessary to know that we know that
we know. (3) Hence, again, it is clear that no one can know
the nature of the highest certainty, unless he possesses an
adequate idea, or the subjective essence of a thing:
certainty is identical with such subjective essence.

[36] (1) Thus, as the truth needs no sign - it being to possess
the subjective essence of things, or, in other words, the ideas
of them, in order that all doubts may be removed - it follows
that the true method does not consist in seeking for the signs
of truth after the acquisition of the idea, but that the true
method teaches us the order in which we should seek for truth
itself, [o] or the subjective essences of things, or ideas,
for all these expressions are synonymous.

[37] (1) Again, method must necessarily be concerned with
reasoning or understanding - I mean, method is not identical
with reasoning in the search for causes, still less is it
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