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