The Rationalists: Spinoza Substance, Nature and God

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

Outline 1. Introduction: Spinoza, Life and Work 2. The Geometrical Method 3. Basic Metaphysics: Substance, Nature and God 4. Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Spinoza: Life and Works Spinoza: • 1632: born, Amsterdam – Jewish Portuguese Modest • 1656 excommunicated – 1660 expelled: religious views • Secluded life (lenses) • 1677 dies La Hague Work: • Published in his own name: Descartes’ Principles of Philosophy • Everything else: anonymous or posthumous, including the Ethics Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Spinoza : Background and Aims Intellectual Background: Descartes • Takes: Rationalism, new science and rigor of reasoning • Rejects: method, dualism, philosophy of human nature Ethics: • Abstract, geometrical order • Entirely oriented toward ethics of well being and joy  Lay down the true metaphysics to free ourselves from superstition – traditional religion, and lead a life of fulfillment Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Outline 1. Introduction: Spinoza, Life and Works 2. The Geometrical Method 3. Basic Metaphysics: Substance, Nature and God 4. Conclusion Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

What is the geometrical order: • Euclid’s Elements of Geometry • Aristotle’s method of science The Geometrical Order 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 Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Basic Metaphysics: Only one fundamental constituent of the world: God, or Nature. All other beings are modifications of the substance Basic Metaphysics: Substances, Attributes and Modes (1) 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 Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Basic Metaphysics: Substances, Attributes and Modes (2) 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 Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Basic Metaphysics: Substances, Attributes and Modes (3) Substance: Ocean Attribute: Wave Movement Mode: Particular Wave 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 Basic Metaphysics: Deus sive Natura (God, or Nature) 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  What does it mean? Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Everything exists necessarily as a necessary consequence of God’s nature • Mathematical or Logical necessity • God, or Nature: ``Logical” cause of everything Basic Metaphysics: Eternal Necessity of Everything Two modes of existence • Substance and its attributes: Natura naturans – “naturating” nature • Modes and modes of the attributes: Natura naturata – “naturated nature”  Main point: everything that exists exists as necessary modifications of a unique, indivisible, and eternal substance

Basic Metaphysics: God and Freedom 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  Freedom does not conflict with necessity! Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Basic Metaphysics: Nature Has No Ends 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 Figth all the more important that our well being depends on it! Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Conclusion: Spinoza’s Metaphysics I have now explained the nature and properties of God: that he necessarily exists, that he is one alone, that he is and acts solely from the necessity of his own nature, that he is the free cause of all things and how so, that all things are in God and are so dependent on him that they can neither be nor be conceived without him, and lastly, that all things have been predetermined by God, not from his free will or absolute pleasure, but from the absolute nature of God, his infinite power. (Appendix) Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

The Rationalists: Spinoza Substance, Nature and God