2019-02-05

5

Now the sum of what I have been able to accomplish on the object is contained in this Treatise. Not that I here essayed to collect all the diverse reasons which might be added as proofs on this subject, for this does not seem to be necessary, unless on matters where no one proof of adequate certainty is to be had; but I treated the first and chief alone in such a manner that I should venture now to propose them as demonstrations of the highest certainty and evidence. And I will also add that they are such as to lead me to think that is no way open to the mind of man by which proofs superior to them can ever be discovered for the importance of the subject, and the glory of God, to which all this relates, constrain me to speak here somewhat more freely of myself than I have been accustomed yo do. Nevertheless, whatever certitude and evidence I may find in these demonstrations, I cannot therefore persuade myself that they are level to the comprehension of all. But just as in geometry there are many of the demonstrations of Archimedes, Pappus , and others, which, though received by all as evident even and certain ( because indeed they manifestly contain nothing which, considered by itself, it is not very easy to understand, and no consequents that are inaccurately related to their antecedents ), are nevertheless understood by a very limited number, because they are somewhat long, and demand the whole attention of the reader: so in the same way, although I consider the demonstrations of which I here make use, to be equal or even superior to the geometrical in certitude and evidence, I am afraid, nevertheless, that they will not be adequately understood by many, as well because they also are somewhat long and involved, as chiefly because they require the mind to be entirely free from prejudice, and able with ease to detach itself from the commerce of the senses. And, to speak the truth, the ability for metaphysical studies is less general than for those of geometry. And, besides, there is still this difference that, as in geometry , all are persuaded that nothing is usually advanced of which there is not a certain demonstration, those but partially versed in it err more frequently in assenting to what is false, from a desire of seeming to understand it, than in denying what is true. In philosophy, on the other hand, where it is believed that all is doubtful, few sincerely give themselves to the search after truth, and by far the greater number seek the reputation of bold thinkers by audaciously impugning such truths as are of the greatest moment.

现在，对于这个主题我能实现的所有东西都包含在这本书里。在此中，我并非收集所有不同的可能可以证明这个论点的理由，因为这样做似乎是没有必要的，何况它们全都是无法准确证明的，我只提出最重要的一些点，因为它们都是最有力最显而易见的证明。而且我会说：没有比它们更加有力的证明了。由于这个问题是如此的重要，而且事关上帝的荣耀，因此我不得不在此说得比平常更加大胆放肆一些了。然而，无论我发觉这些证明多明显多确定，我都无法说服我自己它们已经可以穷尽所有的理解方式。但是就像在几何学中阿基米德、阿波罗尼乌斯、帕普斯等等的人都做出了自己的证明而且皆被当作清晰准确的一样（因为实际上它们本身没有包含任何难以理解的东西，因果关系也准确相关），然而它们只能被理解一部分，因为证明它们的道路是如此的漫长，而且需要读者投入全部身心。同样的，虽然我深信我在此做出的证明已经可以和他们的并驾齐驱，甚至更胜一筹，但我害怕读者们无法完全地理解，因为它同样十分冗长且需要全神贯注，更重要的是它需要读者们的心灵超出所有的偏见，并且能超越感觉的桎梏。同时，老实说，世上擅长几何学的人比擅长形而上学的人要多的多。另外，这其中仍然有一些区别存在，在几何学中，已然证明的必在模糊不定者之先。那些初窥门径的人为显得自己已是内行中人，更多的时候是错在同意错误，而不是否认正确。而在哲学中，所有东西都被视为可怀疑的，故很少有人去追寻真理，反而，现在更多的人通过大胆地指责诋毁那些最伟大的真理来谋求名誉。