In his work The Tractatus
Theologico-Politicus
he provided a strong critique of the militant nature of Holland's ruling House of Orange. He also advocated tolerance of religions. He believed
that religions could live peacefully with each other if they rose above their
petty ideological debates. The problem is that people become narrowly defined
by their ideologies and do not quite understand the similarities between all of
these religions.
Ethica Ordine Geometrico
Demonstrata (Ethics) (1677)
is modeled after Euclid’s Elements. The work entails a deduction of each
ethical proposition that builds off of each other to create a methodology. They
all lead back to a few axioms. The entire work is completed much like a geometric
mathematical formula. He seeks an elemental approach to understanding life and
the nature of existence. The work proposes a number of axioms and then provides
the proofs associated with them in a list type book format.
His main arguments
are that rationality is the highest form of freedom, all human beings live by
the laws of nature, and society should enhance freedom of thought. God and
nature are tied together and very much the same. All reality can be defined by mathematical
principles and methods of deduction. The more we know about our world the more
we know about ourselves. Pure rationality is considered perfection and this
cannot happen unless one is God. More knowledge leads to higher levels of awareness. Of interest in Spinoza’s work is that all concepts and
aspects of life can be deducted down to elemental principles. Furthermore, the
entire universe can be represented by a formula or other method of mathematical
equation.
Certainly if we bounce around in science a little we can find a
formula for a great many things. It makes one wonder that if we were to connect
all formulas together through if and then statements
would we come to untie the world knot. If everything could be predicted by
developing accurate formulas for human nature and then connecting them into the
longest formula the world has ever seen would we know everything? Perhaps no
one’s brain could be so large as to complete this task. I guess that would put
us above nature. Of course you would
still have the problem of an infinite space which means it would be impossible
to know everything because everything is always expanding. You would need to be
faster than that expansion.
If anything I guess we should learn not to make assumptions
without first looking around at the whys
and why nots of any situation. If you
haven’t done this analysis then you are likely limited by a number of poor
assumptions. For a great majority of us to be wrong would be impossible-so we
think. You can find additional explanation in each of the sections of Spinoza’s
work on Ethics.
I: Of God:
The first part of the book discusses the nature of God or Ethics
of God. Of particular interest in this section is the concept that God is
infinite because if God was not he would be limited in power by another being
of similar power. He discusses God and nature as being the same. All laws of
nature are inherent part of God and we are determined by these laws. Each and
everything within the world fits within this nature, is ruled by it, and is
defined by it. That understanding the laws of nature may help a person better
understand God. Humans are not above nature but deeply embedded within it and
therefore limited by their perspective.
Proof 13: A substance
which is absolutely infinite is indivisible.
II: Of the Nature and Origin of the Mind:
The second section is often debated today as heavily as it
was in the past. To Spinoza the mind has an idea of the body and there is no
separation between mind and body. The very nature of thinking is related to
having a concept of one’s body and objects in the world. Perhaps this is a concept
related to self-reflection. If we do not think about ourselves then we are not
conscious that we exist. It is a little like Descarte’s “I think therefore I
am”. Our minds are part of nature and reflections of that nature. How we think
of ideas and concepts, are representations of objects in the world and seem to
be part of larger collective connection of thoughts related to understanding nature/reality.
Intuition is seen as the highest form of knowledge while opinions are full of
fallacies.
Proof 7: The order and
connection of ideas is the same as the order and connection of things.
III: Of the Origin
and Nature of the Effects:
Spinoza in this section basically sets up psychological
theory. As nature is run by laws and rules so too his human
nature and should not be separate from nature. The affects of passion and
actions are part of nature. Morality is about understanding one’s nature and
how it works within the natural environment. He appears to create an argument
for the subjectivity of one’s environment and how this influences passions and in turn behavior. It is those thoughts and how we make meaning that lead to
certain decisions and choices that influence our behaviors.
Proof 1: Our mind does
certain things (acts) and undergoes other things, namely, insofar as it has
adequate ideas, it necessarily does certain things, and insofar as it has
inadequate ideas, it necessarily undergoes other things.
IV: Of Human Bondage,
or the Powers of the Affects:
In this section Spinoza talks more about the bondage of mind
and emotion and the ability to create true freedom for oneself. This freedom
can only come when we are able to act in any way we choose (baring immoral
acts). The environment doesn’t force us to act but we act because we deem it
within ourselves. He discusses the nature of false freedom whereby we are
controlled by our environment and its forces and believe we are acting with a
level of free will. The power to create freedom is difficult as we are most
comfortable thinking only of ourselves and our own needs…which means we are not
free. True freedom and goodness requires us to think of those things made of
joy and positive affectivity because their affects are more powerful than those
which are negative. It is a problem of limited perspective, lack of emotional
intelligence, and the ability to critically think about ourselves or the world.
Proof 18: A desire
which arises from joy is stronger, other things equal, than one which arises
from sadness.
V: Of the power of the Intellect, or on Human
Freedom:
The last chapter is stronger than the first four. Spinoza
appears to make an argument that freedom is built upon knowledge and rational
thought. That a person cannot be free unless they understand themselves,
nature, rational thought, emotions, and even the institutions in which they
exist. He suggests democracy as the highest form of governmental freedom when
and if that democracy supports the protection of people from abuse and allows
for positive societal action. Democracy should support trust, individual
freedoms, balance of civic interests, and rational patterns of behavior.
Proof 6: Insofar as
the mind understands all things as necessary, it has a greater power over the
affects, or is less acted on by them.
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