1

The Rationalists: SpinozaThe Rationalists: Spinoza

Substance, Nature and GodSubstance, Nature and God

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion: Conclusion: Spinoza’s MetaphysicsSpinoza’s Metaphysics

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana