INTRODUCTION

1

The motive which impels me to present this treatise to you is so reasonable, and when you shall learn its design, I am confident that you also will consider that there is ground so valid four you taking it under your protection, that I can in no way batter recommend it to you than by briefly stating the end which I proposed to myself in it.
　　
　　鉴于鼓舞我向你们提出这本书的原因是如此的自然，而且我相信，在你们理解了这本书的构思之后，你们也会有足够的理由将其置于你们的保护之下，因此，我觉得最好简要地说明对于此书我是如何打算的。

2

I have always been of the opinion that the two questions respecting God and the Soul were the chief of those that ought to be determined by help of Philosophy rather than Theology; for although to us, the faithful, it be sufficient to hold as matters of faith, that the human soul does not perish with the body, and that God exists, it yet assuredly seems impossible ever to persuade infidels of the reality of any religion, or almost even any moral virtue, unless, first of all, those two things be proved to them by natural reason. And since in this life there are frequently greater rewards held out to vice than to virtue, few would prefer the right to the useful, if they were restrained neither by the fear of God nor the expectation of another life; and although it is quite true that the existence of God is to be believed since it is taught in the sacred Scriptures, and that, on the other hand, the sacred Scriptures are to be believed because they came from God ( for since faith is a gift of God, the same Being who bestows grace to enable us to believe other things, can likewise import of it to enable us to believe his own existence ), nevertheless, this cannot be submitted to infidels, who would consider that the reasoning proceeded in a circle.

我一直怀有这样的观点：关于上帝与灵魂是为哲学所决定，而非神学的两个首要问题。因为虽然对于我们而言，信念已使我们对灵魂不随身体而消逝这一点深信不疑，但我们绝不可能说服那些不相信宗教事实甚至任何道德的异教徒，除非我们以自然原因理由来证明它们。而且，鉴于在这个时代坚守暴力与恶行总会比坚守道德获得更多的回报，如果不是因为惧怕上帝或是来世的报偿而对自己的行为有所克制的话，行善的人便会寥寥无几。虽然上帝的存在不容置疑因为《圣经》上讲明了这一点，同时我们又必须相信《圣经》的教诲因为它们来自上帝（信念是上帝的馈赠，他让我们相信别的东西的存在，就同样能使我们相信他自身的存在）。然而，这也不能使那些无神论者们信服，他们会认为这是一个循环论证。

And, indeed, I have observed that you, with all the other theologians, not only affirmed the sufficiency of natural reason for the proof of the existence of God, but also, that it may be inferred from sacred Scripture, that the knowledge of God is much clearer than of many created things, and that it is really so easy of acquisition as to leave those who do not possess it blameworthy. This is manifest from these words of the Book of Wisdom, chap.xiii, where it is said, Howbeit they are not to be excused; for if their understanding was so great that they could discern the world and the creatures, why did they not rather find out the Lord thereof? And in Romans, chap.i., it is said that they are without excuse; and again, in the same place, by these words, That which may be known of God is manifest in them ---- we seem to be admonished that all which can be known of God may be made manifest by reasons obtained from no other of our minds. I have, therefore, thought that it would not be unbecoming in me to inquire how and by what way, without going out of ourselves, God may be more easily and certainly known than the things og the world.

事实上，我已经看出，你们，以及所有的神学家们，不仅肯定知晓上帝的存在是可以用自然理由进行论证的，而且了解，从《圣经》中得来的有关上帝的认识要比人们对世上其他东西的认识清晰得多，而且它是如此地易于得到以至于显得没有得到者反而是应受指责的，正如《智慧篇》第十三章所提到的，他们是不可饶恕的，“如果他们的理解伟大到足以认识世界以及世界上的造物，那为什么他们没有找到主？”而在《达罗马人书》第一章写道：“他们是不可饶恕的......关于上帝的一切不在其他任何地方而在我们心中。”因此，我在此提出：通过怎样的方式，在我们自身之中可以更好地去了解上帝，使得比了解其他的事物更为容易。我想，这不是不合适的吧。

3

And as regards the Soul, although many have judged that its nature could not be easily discovered, and some have even ventured to say that human reason led to the conclusion that contrary opinion could be held through faith alone; nevertheless, since the Lateran Council, held under Leo X. ( in session viii. ), condemns these, and expressly enjoins Christian philosophers to refute their arguments, and establish the truth according to their ability, I have ventured to attempt it in this work.

而关于灵魂，虽然许多人认为它的性质不能被轻易认知，还有人激进地说人类的各种理由说明了它随身体一起消逝，相反的观点只能是因为信仰而被提出。不过，鉴于在利奥波德十世主持的拉特兰宗教会议第八次会议上对他们进行了谴责，并要求基督教哲学家们要对他们的论点加以驳斥，全力以赴去建立事实真相，那我便敢于尝试着在这本书里完成这一工作。