Such a small sentence, such a huge statement. Several aspects of this
definition are interesting. First, Spinoza makes it a definition. He
could have simply worked it out as a proposition derived from the
developments of Book I by a statement that it is all God, God is reality
and God is perfect and therefore reality is perfect. But he didn't. He
sets it as a definition because he wishes to work from the angle of the
human mind and perspectival illusions (such as what is perfect for my
interests is perfect for the universe) in Book II. Second, the
implications are huge. Essentially the universe is "an open book test."
The answers are simply in front of us, not in our self-derived notions
of perfection or excellence. Third, he is using the verb intelligo or
"understand" rather the "conceive" or "perceive." It appears that this
verb of understanding is to assist in defining terms.
Per realitatem et perfectionem idem intelligo.
Translated as,
By reality and perfection I understand as the same thing.
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