On the Improvement of Understanding Index On the Improvement of Understanding by Benedict de Spinoza Translated from the Latin by R. H. M. Elwes [1883] Contents Start Reading Title Page Table Of Contents Notice to the Reader On the Improvement of the Understanding Of the Ordinary Objects of Men's Desires Of the True and Final Good Certain Rules of Life Of the Four Modes of Perception Of the Best Mode of Perception Of the Instruments of the Intellect, Or True Ideas Answers to Objections First Part of Method Distinction of True Ideas From Fictitious Ideas And From False Ideas Of Doubt Of Memory and Forgetfulness Mental Hindrances From Words—And From the Popular Confusion of Ready Imagination With Distinct Understanding Second Part of Method Its Object, the Acquisition of Clear and Distinct Ideas Its Means, Good Definitions—Conditions of Definition How To Define Understanding Endnotes