Problem Spinoza i mnogo vise

1. 1
The Rationalists: SpinozaThe Rationalists: Spinoza
Substance, Nature and GodSubstance, Nature and God
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana

2. 2
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
1. Introduction: Spinoza, Life and Work
2. The Geometrical Method
3. Basic Metaphysics: Substance, Nature and God
4. Conclusion

3. 3
Spinoza: Life and WorksSpinoza: Life and Works
Spinoza:
- 1632: born, Amsterdam – Jewish Portuguese Modest
- 1656 excommunicated – 1660 expelled: religious views
- Secluded life (lenses)
- 1677 dies La Hague
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
Work:
- Published in his own name: Descartes’ Principles of
Philosophy
- Everything else: anonymous or posthumous, including the
Ethics

4. 4
Spinoza : Background and AimsSpinoza : Background and Aims
Intellectual Background: Descartes
- Takes: Rationalism, new science and rigor of reasoning
- Rejects: method, dualism, philosophy of human nature
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
Ethics:
- Abstract, geometrical order
- Entirely oriented toward ethics of well being and joy

5. 5
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
1. Introduction: Spinoza, Life and Works
2. The Geometrical Method
3. Basic Metaphysics: Substance, Nature and God
4. Conclusion

6. 6
The Geometrical OrderThe Geometrical Order
What is the geometrical order:
- Euclid’s Elements of Geometry
- Aristotle’s method of science
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
Why the geometrical order?
- More difficult : analysis vs synthesis
- Various explanations
Differences between Spinoza and Euclid:
- Scholia
- Definitions
What does guarantee the truth of the definitions?
Common Notions

7. 7
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
1. Introduction: Spinoza, Life and Works
2. The Geometrical Method
3. Basic Metaphysics: Substance, Nature and God
4. Conclusion

8. 8
Basic Metaphysics:Basic Metaphysics:
Substances, Attributes and Modes (1)Substances, Attributes and Modes (1)
Basic Metaphysics:
Only one fundamental constituent of the world: God, or
Nature. All other beings are modifications of the
substance
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
Substance:
=``that which is in itself and is conceived through itself”
 Exists necessarily, causa sui, infinite, unique of their kind
Modes:
= the ways in which the substance can be ``affected” =
modified
 Depends on the substance, caused by something else,
multiple

9. 9
Basic Metaphysics:Basic Metaphysics:
Substances, Attributes and Modes (2)Substances, Attributes and Modes (2)
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
Attributes:
= the ways in which the substance can be comprehended by
an intellect
 Aspects of the substance
 Ex: Thought, extension
Modes of the attributes:
= the ways in which the modes can be comprehended by an
intellect
 Aspects of the modes
 Ex: ideas, bodies

10. 10
Basic Metaphysics:Basic Metaphysics:
Substances, Attributes and Modes (3)Substances, Attributes and Modes (3)
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
Substance:
Ocean
Attribute:
Wave Movement
Mode:
Particular
Wave

11. 11
Basic Metaphysics:Basic Metaphysics:
Deus sive Natura (God, or Nature)Deus sive Natura (God, or Nature)
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
God exists necessarily
- Ontological argument: God = substance
- Modal argument: necessary existence if not impossible
- Cosmological argument: finite beings  infinite being
- Ontological argument (2): God = absolutely perfect
The unique substance
- Argument: possess all possible attributes, and no two
substances share the same attributes (Identity of
Indiscernibles)
- God, or Nature, IS everything and everything is in it

12. 12
Basic Metaphysics:Basic Metaphysics:
Eternal Necessity of EverythingEternal Necessity of Everything
Everything exists necessarily as a necessary consequence of
God’s nature
-Mathematical or Logical necessity
-God, or Nature: ``Logical” cause of everything
Two modes of existence
- Substance and its attributes: Natura naturans –
“naturating” nature
- Modes and modes of the attributes: Natura naturata –
“naturated nature”

13. 13
Basic Metaphysics:Basic Metaphysics:
God and FreedomGod and Freedom
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
God did not “create the world by an act of free will”
Necessary unfolding of its nature: how is this free?
Spinoza on Freedom
- Freedom does not require contingency
- Freedom = absence of external constraints and autonomy:
One does what one does for no other cause than oneself

14. 14
Basic Metaphysics:Basic Metaphysics:
Nature Has No EndsNature Has No Ends
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
Against traditional religion: “Superstition”
Finalist, Anthropomorphic, Human-centered morality, Worship
Why do we reason this way? Analogy with ourselves
Xenophanes: if cows had Gods, these Gods would have horns
Why is it damageable?
Ignorance, Superstition and Unhappiness
Why is it false?
Necessary unfolding, God does not lack anything

15. 15
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
1. Introduction: Spinoza, Life and Works
2. The Geometrical Method
3. Basic Metaphysics: Substance, Nature and God
4. Conclusion

16. 16
Conclusion:Conclusion:
Spinoza’s MetaphysicsSpinoza’s Metaphysics
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana