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

2Outline 1. Introduction: Spinoza, Life and Work 2. The Geometrical Method 3. Basic Metaphysics: Substance, Nature and God 4. Conclusion

3 Spinoza: Life and Works Spinoza: -1632: born, Amsterdam – Jewish Portuguese Modest excommunicated – 1660 expelled: religious views -Secluded life (lenses) 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

4 Spinoza : 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

5Outline 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

6 The 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

7Outline 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

8 Basic Metaphysics: 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

9 Basic Metaphysics: 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

10 Basic Metaphysics: Substances, Attributes and Modes (3) Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana Substance: Ocean Attribute: Wave Movement Mode: Particular Wave

11 Basic Metaphysics: 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

12 Basic Metaphysics: Eternal 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”

13 Basic Metaphysics: God 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

14 Basic Metaphysics: Nature 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

15Outline 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

16Conclusion: Spinoza’s Metaphysics Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana