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

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The Rationalists: SpinozaThe Rationalists: Spinoza

Substance, Nature and GodSubstance, Nature and God

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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”

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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

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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

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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

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Conclusion: Conclusion: Spinoza’s MetaphysicsSpinoza’s Metaphysics

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana