Spinoza writes in his definitions on the attribute -
'By attribute I understand that which the intellect perceives of substance as
constituting its essence'
in so far as the intellect perceives mind it perceives itself -
therefore self-consciousness?
is this the way it goes?
still one could ask - is it my mind I perceive
or the mind -
and really where is the difference?
I perceive my body - I perceive matter -
I perceive my mind - I perceive mind
it is not an either / or proposition
you could say without these ontological categories -
there would be no perception
