Single Idea 20306

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 2. Associationism]

Full Idea

If the mind has once been affected by two affects at once, then afterwards, when it is affected by one of them, it will also be affected by the other.

Gist of Idea

Once we have experienced two feelings together, one will always give rise to the other

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], III Pr14)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. Curley,Edwin [Penguin 1996], p.78


A Reaction

This strikes me as better expressed than Hume's version, which relies on examples. It is more generalised than Hume, since it will cover contiguity and resemblance and causation, all under the heading of the arising affects.