10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 1 Spinoza – Ethics One Charles Manekin

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 2 Topics of Discussion Brief Comments About Spinoza’s Bio Brief Comments About Spinoza’s Bio The Geometric Method The Geometric Method Substance, Attribute, Mode Substance, Attribute, Mode God or Nature God or Nature The “Properties” of God The “Properties” of God

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 3 Spinoza’s Life Born 1632 in Amsterdam; father imported dried fruits and nuts; member in good standing of Jewish community. Born 1632 in Amsterdam; father imported dried fruits and nuts; member in good standing of Jewish community. Studied with Menasshe ben Israel, Isaac Aboab, Saul Levi Morteira Studied with Menasshe ben Israel, Isaac Aboab, Saul Levi Morteira Went into business with his brother. Went into business with his brother. Began to study Latin and secular subjects. Began to study Latin and secular subjects. Put in Cherem on July 27, 1656, probably for theological doctrines and doubts about the divinity of Scriptures. Put in Cherem on July 27, 1656, probably for theological doctrines and doubts about the divinity of Scriptures.

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 4 Spinoza’s Life In late 1650’s, work on the Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect and the Short Treatise on God, Man, and Well- Being In late 1650’s, work on the Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect and the Short Treatise on God, Man, and Well- Being 1663, Principles of Descarte’s philosophy 1663, Principles of Descarte’s philosophy Writes in 1670, the Theological Political Treatise Writes in 1670, the Theological Political Treatise 1675 – decides first to publish, then not to publish, the Ethics 1675 – decides first to publish, then not to publish, the Ethics Dies in 1677 Dies in 1677

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 5 The Geometric Method Geometrical method may have been adopted primarily with the Cartesians involved. Geometrical method may have been adopted primarily with the Cartesians involved. He starts out with definitions and axioms that in are in themselves familiar to the Cartesians. He starts out with definitions and axioms that in are in themselves familiar to the Cartesians. And proceeds in a geometric fashion, as if to say, “You must accept my conclusions, since they follow from your definitions and premises.” And proceeds in a geometric fashion, as if to say, “You must accept my conclusions, since they follow from your definitions and premises.” Also, this was his pedagogic tool. Also, this was his pedagogic tool.

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 6 Substance “By substance I understand what is in itself, and is conceived through itself, i.e., that whose concept does not require the concept of another thing, from which it is formed.” “By substance I understand what is in itself, and is conceived through itself, i.e., that whose concept does not require the concept of another thing, from which it is formed.” Contrast this with five classic definitions of substance: Contrast this with five classic definitions of substance: The concrete particular: this table, this man, this thing.The concrete particular: this table, this man, this thing. The essence of something: what is the substance of your remarks.The essence of something: what is the substance of your remarks. The center of change. What remains of something when its properties change.The center of change. What remains of something when its properties change. The bearer of properties; what underlies the various properties.The bearer of properties; what underlies the various properties. That which possesses independent existence.That which possesses independent existence.

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 7 Mode By mode I mean the affections of substance; that is, that which is in something else and conceived through something else. By mode I mean the affections of substance; that is, that which is in something else and conceived through something else. What is the distinction between substance and mode? What is the distinction between substance and mode? Substance is ontologically independent of anything else; it is dependent on nothing else for its existence. Substance is ontologically independent of anything else; it is dependent on nothing else for its existence.

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 8 Mode Furthermore, in order to conceive substance, it is not necessary to refer to anything else. Furthermore, in order to conceive substance, it is not necessary to refer to anything else. This is what Spinoza means when he says that substance is conceived through itself. This is what Spinoza means when he says that substance is conceived through itself. A mode, however, is ontologically and epistemologically dependant upon substance; it exists as a modification of substance, and is understood through reference to substance. A mode, however, is ontologically and epistemologically dependant upon substance; it exists as a modification of substance, and is understood through reference to substance.

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL320 9 Attribute By attribute I mean that which (the) intellect perceives of substance as constituting its essence. By attribute I mean that which (the) intellect perceives of substance as constituting its essence. What is the relationship of substance and attribute? What is the relationship of substance and attribute? Substance is rendered intelligible through attribute; otherwise we would know no more about substance than what follows from its definition; we would not know its nature. Substance is rendered intelligible through attribute; otherwise we would know no more about substance than what follows from its definition; we would not know its nature. Two examples are given Two examples are given By 'Israel' I understand the third Patriarch; by Jacob I understand the same. But I also understand why the name was given -- because he seized the brother's heel.By 'Israel' I understand the third Patriarch; by Jacob I understand the same. But I also understand why the name was given -- because he seized the brother's heel. By flat I mean what reflects all rays of light without any change; I understand the same by white, except that it is called white in relation to a man looking at a flat surfaceBy flat I mean what reflects all rays of light without any change; I understand the same by white, except that it is called white in relation to a man looking at a flat surface

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL Substance Monism Were there more than one substance, they could not have a shared attribute. Were there more than one substance, they could not have a shared attribute. Hence, no causal interaction Hence, no causal interaction Were there more than one substance there would have to be a cause of that particular number. Were there more than one substance there would have to be a cause of that particular number. Explanatory rationalism. Explanatory rationalism.

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL Substance exists of necessity It pertains to the nature of substance is self-caused. It pertains to the nature of substance is self-caused. Substance is indivisible. Substance is indivisible. No parts of substanceNo parts of substance God, a substance absolutely infinite, of which one expressing an eteranal and infinite essence, exists of necessity. God, a substance absolutely infinite, of which one expressing an eteranal and infinite essence, exists of necessity.

10/8/2015 Modern Philosophy PHIL Nothing can be conceived without God God as efficient cause of everything. God as efficient cause of everything. God’s actions are both free and necessary. God’s actions are both free and necessary. Determinism (P33) – Things could have been produced by God in no other order than they have been produce. Determinism (P33) – Things could have been produced by God in no other order than they have been produce.