NOTES ON BARUCH SPINOZA,

Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect

1632-1677

The Goal of the Treatise

In this early work (c. 1656-1661) Spinoza explains the nature of philosophy, how it contributes to our understanding of what is a good life, and what “life plan” is required for achieving a good life.

Three Parts to the Introduction

“Everyman” First-Person Narrative (paragraphs 1-11)

The Highest Good (paragraphs 12-13)

A Life Plan (paragraphs 14-17)

The Perspective of “Everyman”

on the Nature of a Good Life

The unsatisfactoriness associated with such conditional goods as sensual pleasure, money, and honor

A philosophical conversion to a better path

A Philosophical Analysis of a Life Oriented toward the

Highest Good

An Important Distinction: Conditional vs. Unconditional Goods

Formulating a Life Plan

for Achieving the Highest Good

NOTE: Spinoza does not reject conditional goods; they still serve as an instrumental purpose for the attaining the highest good