Page:The Origin of Christian Science.djvu/167

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Psychology.
159

Mrs. Eddy says: “In Science Mind is one;”[1] “The one Mind only is entitled to honor;”[2] “Infinite Mind cannot be limited to a finite form;”[3] “A limitless Mind cannot proceed from physical limitations. Finiteness cannot present the idea or the vastness of infinity;”[4] “All consciousness is Mind, and Mind is God. Hence there is but one Mind; and that one is the Infinite Good.”[5]

Neoplatonism and Christian Science differ in this, that while the former considers the “one” or the “good” as the first being, and mind (nous) as the second in order, the latter identifies them. Notwithstanding this difference Mrs. Eddy's conception of mind is the same as that of the Neoplatonists.

Plotinus makes a prolonged argument to prove that there is only one infinite intellect or mind, pointing out that if we hold that there are more than one, then there may be an infinite number which he thinks is absurd.[6] He says also: “Because every part of intellect is all things, it is on this account infinite.”[7] Proclus says: “One all-perfect intellect is the cause of all intellects.”[8] By “all intellects” he means, it seems, individual minds. Spinoza, following the Neoplatonists here as in almost all important positions, says


  1. S. and H. p. 114.
  2. S. and H. p. 183. cf. p. 204.
  3. S. and H. p. 257.
  4. S. and H. p. 256. cf. pp. 253 and 469.
  5. Retros. and Intros. p. 78.
  6. Cf. 2. 9. 1.
  7. 3. 8. 8.
  8. Prov. 10 (p. 69.)