The Collected Works of Benedictus de Spinoza E-Book

Benedictus de Spinoza

• Herausgeber: PergamonMedia
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Serie: Highlights of World Literature
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 1667

Beschreibung

This comprehensive eBook presents the complete works or all the significant works - the Œuvre - of this famous and brilliant writer in one ebook - easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate: • Ethica. English • Theologico-Political Treatise • On the Improvement of the Understanding • The Philosophy of Spinoza • Ethics • Theologico-Political Treatise

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

The Ethics

(Ethica Ordine Geometrico Demonstrata)

Translated from the Latin by R. H. M. Elwes

PART I. CONCERNING GOD.

DEFINITIONS.

AXIOMS.

PROPOSITIONS.

APPENDIX:

PART II.

ON THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF THE MIND

PREFACE

DEFINITIONS

AXIOMS

PROPOSITIONS

POSTULATES

PART III.

ON THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF THE EMOTIONS

DEFINITIONS

POSTULATES

DEFINITIONS OF THE EMOTIONS

GENERAL DEFINITION OF THE EMOTIONS

PART IV:

Of Human Bondage, or the Strength of the Emotions

PREFACE

DEFINITIONS.

AXIOM.

PROPOSITIONS.

APPENDIX.

PART V:

Of the Power of the Understanding, or of Human Freedom

PREFACE

AXIOMS.

PROPOSITIONS.

A Theologico-Political Treatise

PREFACE.

CHAPTER I. - Of Prophecy

CHAPTER II. - OF PROPHETS.

CHAPTER III. OF THE VOCATION OF THE HEBREWS, AND WHETHER THE GIFT OF PROPHECY WAS PECULIAR TO THEM.

CHAPTER IV. - OF THE DIVINE LAW.

CHAPTER V. - OF THE CEREMONIAL LAW.

AUTHOR'S ENDNOTES TO THE THEOLOGICO-POLITICAL TREATISE

A Theologico-Political Treatise - Part 2 - Chapters VI to X

CHAPTER VI. - OF MIRACLES.

CHAPTER VII. - OF THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE

CHAPTER VIII. - OF THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH AND THE OTHER HISTORICAL BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

CHAPTER IX - OTHER QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE SAME BOOKS: NAMELY, WHETHER THEY WERE COMPLETELY FINISHED BY EZRA, AND, FURTHER, WHETHER THE MARGINAL NOTES WHICH ARE FOUND IN THE HEBREW TEXTS WERE VARIOUS READINGS.

CHAPTER X. - AN EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ACCORDING TO THE PRECEDING METHOD.

AUTHOR'S ENDNOTES TO THE THEOLOGICO-POLITICAL TREATISE

A Theologico-Political Treatise Part III - Chapters XI to XV

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

CHAPTER XI - An Inquiry whether the Apostles wrote their Epistles as Apostles and Prophets, or merely as Teachers, and an Explanation of what is meant by Apostle.

CHAPTER XII - Of the true Original of the Divine Law, and wherefore Scripture is called Sacred, and the Word of God. How that, in so far as it contains the Word of God, it has come down to us uncorrupted.

CHAPTER XIII - It is shown, that Scripture teaches only very Simple Doctrines, such as suffice for right conduct.

CHAPTER XIV - Definitions of Faith, the True Faith, and the Foundations of Faith, which is once for all separated from Philosophy.

CHAPTER XV - Theology is shown not to be subservient to Reason, nor Reason to Theology: a Definition of the reason which enables us to accept the Authority of the Bible.

CHAPTER XI - AN INQUIRY WHETHER THE APOSTLES WROTE THEIR EPISTLES AS APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, OR MERELY AS TEACHERS; AND AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS MEANT BY AN APOSTLE.

CHAPTER XII - OF THE TRUE ORIGINAL OF THE DIVINE LAW, AND WHEREFORE SCRIPTURE IS CALLED SACRED, AND THE WORD OF GOD. HOW THAT, IN S0 FAR AS IT CONTAINS THE WORD OF GOD, IT HAS COME DOWN TO US UNCORRUPTED.

CHAPTER XIII - IT IS SHOWN THAT SCRIPTURE TEACHES ONLY VERY SIMPLE DOCTRINES, SUCH AS SUFFICE FOR RIGHT CONDUCT.

CHAPTER XIV - DEFINITIONS OF FAITH, THE FAITH, AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH, WHICH IS ONCE FOR ALL SEPARATED FROM PHILOSOPHY.

CHAPTER XV - THEOLOGY IS SHOWN NOT TO BE SUBSERVIENT TO REASON, NOR REASON TO THEOLOGY: A DEFINITION OF THE REASON WHICH ENABLES US TO ACCEPT THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE.

AUTHOR'S ENDNOTES TO THE THEOLOGICO-POLITICAL TREATISE

CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XV.

A Theologico-Political Treatise - Part IV of IV - Chapters XVI to XX

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Search strings are shown thus [16:x]. Search forward and back with the same string.

[16:0] CHAPTER XVI - OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF A STATE; OF THE NATURAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS; AND OF THE RIGHTS OF THE SOVEREIGN POWER.

[17:0] CHAPTER XVII - IT IS SHOWN THAT NO ONE CAN, OR NEED, TRANSFER ALL HIS RIGHTS TO THE SOVEREIGN POWER. OF THE HEBREW REPUBLIC, AS IT WAS DURING THE LIFETIME OF MOSES, AND AFTER HIS DEATH, TILL THE FOUNDATION OF THE MONARCHY; AND OF ITS EXCELLENCE. LASTLY, OF THE CAUSES WHY THE THEOCRATIC REPUBLIC FELL, AND WHY IT COULD HARDLY HAVE CONTINUED WITHOUT DISSENSION.

[18:0] CHAPTER XVIII - FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE HEBREWS, AND THEIR HISTORY, CERTAIN POLITICAL DOCTRINES ARE DEDUCED.

[19:0] CHAPTER XIX - IT IS SHOWN THAT THE RIGHT OVER MATTERS SPIRITUAL LIES WHOLLY WITH THE SOVEREIGN, AND THAT THE OUTWARD FORMS OF RELIGION SHOULD BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLIC PEACE, IF WE WOULD OBEY GOD ARIGHT.

[20:0] CHAPTER XX - THAT IN A FREE STATE EVERY MAN MAY THINK WHAT HE LIKES, AND SAY WHAT HE THINKS.

On the Improvement of the Understanding

THE PHILOSOPHY

OF

SPINOZA

edited by JOSEPH RATNER

PREFACE

CONTENTS

THE LIFE OF SPINOZA

INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPINOZA

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

FIRST PART

ON GOD

CHAPTER I

OF SUPERSTITION[1]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER II

OF THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE[2]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER III

OF PROPHETS AND PROPHECY[4]

I

II

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER IV

OF THE VOCATION OF THE HEBREWS[6]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER V

OF THE DIVINE LAW[7]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER VI

OF THE CEREMONIAL LAW[8]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER VII

OF MIRACLES[10]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER VIII

OF THE DIVINE NATURE

Definitions

Axioms

The Essence of God

The Corporeality of God

The Properties of God

I

II

III

The Necessity of All Things

General Conclusions

FOOTNOTES:

SECOND PART

ON MAN

CHAPTER IX

THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF THE HUMAN MIND

Introductory

Definitions

Axioms

The Mind of God

The Order and Dependence of Ideas in God

The Origin of the Human Mind

The Nature of the Human Mind

The Complexity of the Human Mind

Imagination

Association of Ideas and Memory

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER X

THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE

Of Truth

Of Falsity

The Origin and Nature of Confused Ideas

The Origin and Nature of Adequate Ideas

The Three Kinds of Knowledge

Reason and Imagination

Sub Specie Æternitatis

The Limits of Human Knowledge

I

II

III

The Mind's Knowledge of God

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XI

DETERMINISM AND MORALS

The Mind Is Necessarily Determined

Faculty Psychology Fallacious

False Doctrines about Error Exposed

Freedom of the Will

The Independence of Mind and Body

The Moral Values of Determinism

I

II

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XII

THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF THE EMOTIONS

Introductory

Definitions

Postulates

The Two States of Mind: Active and Passive

The Basic Endeavor of All Things

The Three Primary Emotions

I

Desire

II

Joy and Sorrow

Definitions of the Principal Emotions

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XIII

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE EMOTIONS

The Association of the Emotions

The Imitation and Reciprocation of the Emotions

I

II

The "Herd Instinct"

The Varieties of Emotion

The Inconstancy of the Emotions

The Power of Love Over Hate

FOOTNOTES:

THIRD PART

ON MAN'S WELL-BEING

CHAPTER XIV

OF HUMAN BONDAGE

Introductory

Definitions

Axiom

Man's Place in Nature

The Nature of Good and Evil

The Control of the Emotions

How the Strength of the Emotions Varies

I

II

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XV

THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE MORAL LIFE

Introductory

The Essence of Virtue

I

II

The Highest Virtue of Reason

THE MORAL VALUE OF THE EMOTIONS

I

General Principles

II

Value of Joy and Sorrow

III

The Good Emotions

IV

The Evil Emotions

V

Necessary Evils

(i)

(ii)

VI

Diseased Emotions

VII

Reasonable Emotions

The Life of Virtue

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII

XIII

XIV

XV

XVI

XVII

XVIII

XIX

XX

XXI

XXII

XXIII

XXIV

XXV

XXVI

XXVII

XXVIII

XXIX

XXX

XXXI

XXXII

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XVI

OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF A STATE[32]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XVII

OF SUPREME AUTHORITIES

I

Of the Right of Supreme Authorities[36]

II

Of the Functions of Supreme Authorities[38]

III

Of the Best State of a Dominion[39]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XVIII

FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND SPEECH[41]

FOOTNOTES:

CHAPTER XIX

OF HUMAN FREEDOM

Introductory

Axioms

The Strength of the Emotions

The Power of the Intellect Over the Emotions

I

General Principles

II

The Natural Basis of Rational Control

III

The Function of the Intellectual Order

IV

Summary

CHAPTER XX

OF HUMAN BLESSEDNESS AND THE ETERNITY OF THE MIND

Human Blessedness: The Intellectual Love of God

I

II

III

IV

V

The Eternity of the Mind

I

II

III

Conclusion

FOOTNOTES:

The Ethics

(Ethica Ordine Geometrico Demonstrata)

Benedict de Spinoza

Translated from the Latin by R. H. M. Elwes

PART I. CONCERNING GOD.

DEFINITIONS.

I. By that which is self—caused, I mean that of which the essence involves existence, or that of which the nature is only conceivable as existent.

II. A thing is called finite after its kind, when it can be limited by another thing of the same nature; for instance, a body is called finite because we always conceive another greater body. So, also, a thought is limited by another thought, but a body is not limited by thought, nor a thought by body.

III. By substance, I mean that which is in itself, and is conceived through itself: in other words, that of which a conception can be formed independently of any other conception.

IV. By attribute, I mean that which the intellect perceives as constituting the essence of substance.

V. By mode, I mean the modifications[1] of substance, or that which exists in, and is conceived through, something other than itself.

[1] "Affectiones"

VI. By God, I mean a being absolutely infinite—that is, a substance consisting in infinite attributes, of which each expresses eternal and infinite essentiality.

Explanation—I say absolutely infinite, not infinite after its kind: for, of a thing infinite only after its kind, infinite attributes may be denied; but that which is absolutely infinite, contains in its essence whatever expresses reality, and involves no negation.

VII. That thing is called free, which exists solely by the necessity of its own nature, and of which the action is determined by itself alone. On the other hand, that thing is necessary, or rather constrained, which is determined by something external to itself to a fixed and definite method of existence or action.

VIII. By eternity, I mean existence itself, in so far as it is conceived necessarily to follow solely from the definition of that which is eternal.

Explanation—Existence of this kind is conceived as an eternal truth, like the essence of a thing, and, therefore, cannot be explained by means of continuance or time, though continuance may be conceived without a beginning or end.

AXIOMS.

I. Everything which exists, exists either in itself or in something else.

II. That which cannot be conceived through anything else must be conceived through itself.

III. From a given definite cause an effect necessarily follows; and, on the other hand, if no definite cause be granted, it is impossible that an effect can follow.

IV. The knowledge of an effect depends on and involves the knowledge of a cause.

V. Things which have nothing in common cannot be understood, the one by means of the other; the conception of one does not involve the conception of the other.

VI. A true idea must correspond with its ideate or object.

VII. If a thing can be conceived as non—existing, its essence does not involve existence.

PROPOSITIONS.

PROP. I. Substance is by nature prior to its modifications.