(no subject)

[timelets]

[92] (1) As for the first point, it is necessary (as we have said) for our purpose that everything should be conceived, either solely through its essence, or through its proximate cause.

(2) If the thing be self-existent, or, as is commonly said, the cause of itself, it must be understood through its essence only; if it be not self-existent, but requires a cause for its existence, it must be understood through its proximate cause.

(3) For, in reality, 
                   the knowledge
                   of an effect 
is nothing else than 
                  the acquisition of 
                  more perfect knowledge
of its cause.”

--- Benedictus de Spinoza. “Improvement of the Understanding.”


// is this the origin of the reasoning behind the "good laws" methods?