Spinoza Ethics Two

1. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 1 Spinoza � Ethics Two Charles Manekin

2. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 2 Topics of Discussion Metaphysics in the Service of Blessedness The Types of Modes Infinite and Finite Modes of Substance The Explanatory Distinctness and Parallelism of Attributes. The Relation of Mind and Body Theory of Knowledge

3. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 3 Metaphysics In the Service of Blessedness Spinoza's goal in part two: to consider those things which follow from infinite and eternal being; Not all of them -- only those that will lead us to knowledge of mind and its blessedness. To understand human happiness (blessedness), one must understand human nature. And to understand human nature, one must understand the principles of nature. Man is not an exception to nature, not a kingdom within nature, but a part of nature.

4. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 4 Reality as a Self-Generating, Rational System Euclid�s Geometry: definitions and axioms generate propositions that follow necessarily and eternally. Eternal properties of eternal objects (essences), e.g., the essence of a triangle. The notion of generation; this is not a static system, but the generation is not temporal (although it does not exclude temporality.) An actually existing triangle has both essence and existence; the essence is eternal, the existence is not, but the triangle�s coming to be is necessitated

5. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 5 From God everything follows of necessity Causes necessitate their effects, and whatever is, is of necessity and eternally. Infinite immediate modes � what derives from God immediately Infinite mediate modes � what derives from God through the mediation of the infinite immediate modes. Finite modes -- what derives from God in a finite way �either finite essence (triangle) or finite existence (this actually existing triangle)

6. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 6 Modes of Extended Substance Immediate Infinite Mode of Extended Substance: Motion and Rest. One interpretation: the universal laws of nature governing the proportion of motion and rest in every finite mode. Mediate Infinite Mode of Extended Substance: the Making/Face of All Being The totality of the extended (but not just visual) universe Finite modes of extended substance: body Each body finds expression not only in its dimensions but in the particular relationship between motion and rest; a body is particularized in the particular balance of motion and rest.

7. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 7 Modes of Thinking Substance Infinite immediate modes of thought; the absolutely infinite intellect of God � the activity of thinking. Infinite mediate modes � the Infinite Idea of God One way of looking at the difference between the two: the laws of rational thought vs. the product, the outcome, the system, generated by those laws. Finite modes � ideas (conceived as propositions).

8. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 8 Correlations and Identity of Finite Modes � Spinoza�s Parallelism IIP7: The order and connection of ideas is the same as the order and connection of things.� Every physical phenomenon has a mental correlate. An idea is one and the same thing as a body � but differently conceived All individual ideas, or thoughts, are links in a chain of cause and effect -- and these parallel the cause and effect of their corresponding bodies. A human mind is what Spinoza would call the Idea of the Body which constitutes this individual. Each mind is a individual union of ideas, finite modes of God, conceived under the attribute of Thought. p11c: the human mind is part of the infinite intellect of God.

9. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 9 Imagination vs. Intellect Whatever occurs (affects) the body will have a correlate in the mind. Whatever external affects our body involves the nature of external and our bodies. Imaginations -- affections of the human body whose ideas present external bodies as present to us. Almost completely dependent upon the accidental and random influences upon the body. All of the ideas we have of our body, which we have attained through sensations, etc. are through this Association of ideas...association of related bodily affectations.

10. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 10 Truth and Adequacy Truth and adequacy. By adequate idea I understand an idea which, insofar as it is considered in itself, without relation to an object, has the all the properties, or intrinsic denominations of a true idea. A true idea must agree with its object. Every adequate idea in us is true. Falsity consists in the privation of knowledge which inadequate, or mutilated and confused, ideas involve. Men err when they say that they act freely; they are conscious of the actions but ignorant of the causes. The sun appears to us to be 200 feet away; because we perceive it as such. There are some things which are common to all bodies -- these are the common notions. these are perceived adequately

11. 9/2/2012 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 11 Kinds of Knowledge Knowledge of the First Kind: Sense knowledge, knowledge from signs, authority. Knowledge of the Second Kind: common notions and adequate ideas of the properties of things � demonstrative knowledge. Knowledge of the Third Kind � intuitive knowledge which proceeds from an adequate knowledge of essence of things.