10/21/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 1 Spinoza – Ethics Four Charles Manekin.

04/20/2304/20/23 Modern Philosophy PHIL320Modern Philosophy PHIL320 11

Spinoza – Ethics FourSpinoza – Ethics Four

Charles ManekinCharles Manekin


Topics of DiscussionTopics of Discussion

The Rejection of Teleology in EthicsThe Rejection of Teleology in Ethics The Status of Good and EvilThe Status of Good and Evil The “Dictates of Reason”The “Dictates of Reason” Knowledge of God is the Mind’s Knowledge of God is the Mind’s

Greatest GoodGreatest Good On Human FreedomOn Human Freedom


The Rejection of Teleology in The Rejection of Teleology in EthicsEthics

All talk of the perfection or imperfection of All talk of the perfection or imperfection of Nature relates to a teleological view.Nature relates to a teleological view.

People started from artificial models and People started from artificial models and proceeded to natural ones.proceeded to natural ones.

When we say that habitation was the final When we say that habitation was the final cause of that house, we really mean that cause of that house, we really mean that habitation is an efficient cause of our habitation is an efficient cause of our appetite.appetite.

So ethics will be related to appetiteSo ethics will be related to appetite


The Rejection of the Objective The Rejection of the Objective Reality of Good and EvilReality of Good and Evil

Good or evil indicate nothing positive in Good or evil indicate nothing positive in things, considered in themselves.things, considered in themselves.• They are notions we form because we compare They are notions we form because we compare

things with each other.things with each other. But we can form an idea of man as a But we can form an idea of man as a

model for us to strive formodel for us to strive for Good is that which we know Good is that which we know certainlycertainly to to

lead us to that modellead us to that model Bad is that which we know Bad is that which we know certainlycertainly to to

lead us away from that model.lead us away from that model.• Here is where a rationalist ethics comes inHere is where a rationalist ethics comes in


On Human BondageOn Human Bondage Why are we so weak when it comes to Why are we so weak when it comes to

acting according to our best interest?acting according to our best interest?• The first 18 propositions of Ethics 4 The first 18 propositions of Ethics 4

argue why we argue why we mustmust be weak be weak Knowledge along cannot dissipate the Knowledge along cannot dissipate the

strength of an emotion. strength of an emotion. The analogy with our perception of the The analogy with our perception of the

sun. Imaginations are not dispelled by the sun. Imaginations are not dispelled by the presence of a true idea.presence of a true idea.

How do you ease the depressions of How do you ease the depressions of somebody who has watched the Terps somebody who has watched the Terps lose?lose?


The Dictates of ReasonThe Dictates of Reason

The foundation of virtue is this very The foundation of virtue is this very striving to preserve one’s being.striving to preserve one’s being.• Happiness consists in man’s being able Happiness consists in man’s being able

to preserve his being. to preserve his being. • Living according to reason maximizes Living according to reason maximizes

one’s happinessone’s happiness There is nothing more preferable or There is nothing more preferable or

useful for us than virtue. useful for us than virtue.


The Community of InterestThe Community of Interest

In another sense, self-sacrifice is possible – In another sense, self-sacrifice is possible – when one talks of the community of when one talks of the community of interest.interest.• Men who are governed my reason want Men who are governed my reason want

nothing for themselves that they do not desire nothing for themselves that they do not desire for other men.for other men.

Hence, they are just and honorable.Hence, they are just and honorable.

• When self-sacrifice is not altruism but the When self-sacrifice is not altruism but the sacrifice of the part for the sake of the whole.sacrifice of the part for the sake of the whole.


When is it preferable to prefer pain When is it preferable to prefer pain over pleasure?over pleasure?

The theory of partial pains and partial The theory of partial pains and partial pleasures (p. 38-43)pleasures (p. 38-43)

it is not sufficient that there be pleasure in it is not sufficient that there be pleasure in any one part of body/mind to the exclusion any one part of body/mind to the exclusion of other parts.of other parts.

There may be pleasures which damage There may be pleasures which damage the body. the body. • pleasure can be excessive and evil.pleasure can be excessive and evil.


On Human FreedomOn Human Freedom

Free action is acting autonomously, Free action is acting autonomously, according to the dictates of one’s own according to the dictates of one’s own nature and not under compulsion from nature and not under compulsion from external forces.external forces.

Remember we act when we are the Remember we act when we are the adequate cause of our actions. adequate cause of our actions.

Free action is not a result of passions or Free action is not a result of passions or emotionsemotions

How Freedom is compatible with rigid How Freedom is compatible with rigid determinism.determinism.

10/21/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 1 Spinoza – Ethics Four Charles Manekin.

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Transcript of 10/21/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 1 Spinoza – Ethics Four Charles Manekin.