 One possible response would appeal to the close relationship between finite modes and the power of God. Finite modes have only other finite modes for causes, but being caused by other finite modes is a way of being determined by God’s power, since finite modes just are limited expressions of God’s power (Ip36d). The success of this response depends on the relationship between God and God’s modes for Spinoza, an interpretive point that is heavily disputed. This reply would not work, for instance, if the fundamental connection between substance and modes is purely causal.