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Full Idea
The essence of our mind consists solely in knowledge.
Gist of Idea
Knowledge is the essence of the mind
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], V Pr 36 n)
Book Ref
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.265
A Reaction
This is in a context of discussing the human relation to God. See Keith Hossack's 'The Metaphysics of Knowledge' for an exploration of this idea. (@BenedictSpinoza came up with this one)
| 16198 | Knowledge is the essence of the mind [Spinoza] |
| 5034 | Mind is a thinking substance which can know God and eternal truths [Leibniz] |
| 23184 | The mind is a simplifying apparatus [Nietzsche] |
| 7131 | The intellect and senses are a simplifying apparatus [Nietzsche] |
| 22652 | The mind has evolved entirely for practical interests, seen in our reflex actions [James] |
| 21949 | Having thoughts and feelings need engagement in the world [Heidegger, by Wrathall] |
| 3995 | A mind is an organ of representation [Lewis] |
| 2508 | The function of a mind is obvious [Fodor] |
| 2503 | Empirical approaches see mind connections as mirrors/maps of reality [Fodor] |