U NI V E R S I T Y

F LO R I D A

C O L LE GE L IBR AR Y
S PI NO Z A S S H O RT T R EAT I SE O N
’

G O D , M A N, 69 H IS
°
WE LL-BE I NG
S PI N O Z A S S HO RT T R E A T IS E
’

ON

G O D , M A N, 89 H I S 9
W E L L BE I
- NG

I N TR O D U C TI O N A ND C O M M E N TA R Y

AND A

LIFE O F SPINO Z A

BY

A . WO L F ,
M A .
, D LI T
. .

NE W Y O R K
'

RUS SELL Sc RUS SE LL I NC

I 96S
 P RE FA C E

T HIS vol u me is p r im ar ily inte nd e d to be a n i ntroducti on to

t h e p h il o so p h y o f S pin oza Th e S hort Treatise th o ugh by
.
,

n o me a n s f r ee f r o m di ffi cul t ie s is w e l l a d a p t ed f or t h e p u r
,

p os e It c o n ta i ns th e e ss e nti al s of S pi n o z a s p h il os op h y in
.
’

a le s s ex a c t i n g f o r m t h a n t h e E thic s w i t h it s r igid ge o m e t r ic

meth od Th e S hort Tr ea tise c a n n ot o f c ou r s e t a k e th e

.
, ,

pl a ce of t h e E thics b u t it p r ep are s t h e w ay f or a muc h

,

e asie r a n d m or e p r ofi ta ble study of it th a n is o th e r w i s e

p oss ible Th e I ntroduc tion a nd th e Commenta ry p r ov ide a l l
.

t h e h elp t h a t t h e r e a de r is likely t o r e q ui r e .

At th e s a me t ime t h e S hort Trea tis e h a s a S peci a l in t er e s t

,

f o r m or e a d va n ced st uden t s o f S pi n oz a a s t h e m os t im
p orta nt a id t o t h e st udy of th e origin a n d devel o p m e nt o f
h is p h il o s op h y . And th ei r need s h ave n ot been ove rl ooked .

E ve r y c a r e h as been t a ke n t o gi v e a fa i th ful ve rs i o n of t h e
Trea tise n o t ice is t a ke n o f a l l v ar i a n t r e a ding s a n d n ot e s
w h ic h a r e likely t o be o f a ny imp or t a nce ; eve n peculi
ar it ie s o f pu n c t u a t i o n a n d t h e l a v i s h u s e o f c a pi t a l le t t er s
a r e f o r t h e m o s t p a rt r ep r o duced h er e f r o m th e Du t c h m a n u

s c r ip t s
. And t h e I ntrodu ction a nd the C ommentary th ough ,

l argely s upe r flu o u s f o r t h e a dva nced s tude n t w ill it is h oped , , ,

a l s o be f o u n d to c on t a in s o me th i n g t h a t m ay be in t e r e s t i n g

a n d h elp f ul e v e n t o him .

Th e Tra nsl a tion w as in th e fi rs t in s ta nce b a s e d o n t h e

, ,

Dut c h t e xt c o n t a i n ed in V a n V l o te n a n d La n d s s ec o n d ’

edi t i on o f S pi n oz a s wor k s S ub s e q ue n tl y h owever I s pen t

’
.
, ,

a very c o n s ide ra ble a m o un t o f t ime an d t r ouble in g o i n g

th r o ug h t h e m a nu s c r ip ts t h em s elve s w i t h t h e r e s ul t t h a t
,

t h e p r e s e n t v e rs i o n m a y I th i n k cl a im t o be m or e c o mple t e
, ,

t h a n a n y o f t h e publi sh ed edi t i o n s o r t ra n s l a t i o n s .

Th e Life of S pinoza w h ic h f or m s th e g r e at e r p a rt o f th e
,

I ntrodu ction is b as ed o n a n i n depe n den t st udy o f a l l t h e

,

a v a il a ble m a t e r i a l Th i s m a t e r i a l h a s bee n c o n s ide r a bly

.

i n cr e a s ed in r ecen t ye ars by th e r e s e a r c h e s of t h e l at e Pr of .

Fr euden th al D r K O M e insma a n d D r W Meye r so t h at

, . . .
, . .
,

t h e o lde r bi o g r a p h ie s o f S pin o a r equi r e c orr ec t i o n in s o me

z

r e s pec t s I h ave a l so u t ili s ed to a gr ea te r ext e n t th a n h as

.

been d o n e h i th e r to a l l t h at is k n o w n of c o n t emp ora r y

vi PRE FA CE
J ew i sh h i s tor y a n d j ew i sh li f e a nd h ave devot ed m ore
,

a t ten t i o n t o M a n a s s eh b e n I sra el t ha n h e h a s s o f a r r eceived

in th i s c o nnec ti on It h a s not been th ought nece ssa ry to

.

give de ta iled r e fe rence s to a u th or i ties beca u s e the e arliest ,

bi ogra p h ies a nd a l l th e ava il able do cumen ts r el at ing t o

S pi n oz a h a ve been edi ted by Pr o f Fr eude n th a l in a s ingle .

vo lume under th e ti tle of Die Le bensgeschichte S pinoza s a nd ,

th e e vide n ce c a n e a s ily be fo und th e r e F o r t h e gene ra l
.

h i s t or y of t h e pe r i o d I c o n s ul t ed M otley B l o k a n d t h e , ,

C a mb r idge M o der n H i s to ry a n d G ra e tz f or t h e h i s tory of ,

t h e Je ws .

I n th e s ec ond p art of th e I ntroduction I c onfined mys el f

t o s uc h a g ene ra l s t at emen t o f t h e h i st or y & c of th e S hort ,
.
,

Treatise a s m a y be f o ll o w ed w i th o u t a ny p r evi o u s kn o w ledge

o f t h e Treatis e i t s el f le aving de ta il s f or th e Commentary
, ,
w h er e t h ey a r e de a l t w i th a s o cc as i on a r i s e s B y t h e a id of .

f a c s imile s t h e r e a de r is en a bled t o judge f or h i ms el f o n

va i ou s m a tter s w h ic h w ould oth er w i s e h ave to be taken o n
r

tr u s t . In t h e p r ep a ra ti on of th i s p ar t a n d o f t h e r em a i n de r
o f t h e v o lume I f o und t h e w r i t i n gs o f Pr o f Fr euden tha l .
,
D r W Meye r a n d C S ig wa rt ve ry h el f ul a n d I a m al s o
. .
, .
p ,

i n deb t ed mor e or le ss t o th e oth e r w r it e rs men ti oned on

pp c xxvuf or in oth e r p arts of t h e v olume
. .

In c o nclu si on I de s i r e t o a ckn ow ledge my obligat i o n s to

,

a l l w h o h a ve h elped me in a n w ay D r B y va n c k ( Lib ra
y . .

r i a n o f t h e R oy a l L ib ra ry Th e H a gue ) a n d M r C h a mbe r s .
,

( Lib ra ri a n o f U n ive rs i t y C o llege Lo ndon ) h a ve e n a bled me

,

t o c o n s ul t t h e M S S w i t h a s li t t le I nc o nvenience a s p oss i b le
. .

Th e R oy a l S ocie ty h a s gi ven me pe r mi ss i o n t o r ep ro duce

t h e f ac s imile o n p lx . Pr o f S Ale xa nde r o f t h e U n ive rs i t y
. . .
,

o f M a n c h e st e r h as r e a d th e I ntrodu ction n p r o of a n d m a de
,
I ,

valu a ble s ugge st i on s I w i s h to th a n k t h em a l l ve ry c or di ally

.
,

a n d I h o pe t h a t t h e u s ef ulne s s o f t h e r e s ul t m ay i n s o me

measur e c ompen sa te f or a l l th e trouble given a n d ta ken I n

t h e p r ep ar at i on of th i s v olume .

A WO LF .

H A R R O W, Novemb er 1 90 9
 C O N T E N TS
P AG E

I N T RO D U C T I O N

I . T H E L I F E O F S PI N O Z A

§ I H I S T OR I CA L AN TECE D E N TS
.

§ z T H E H O M E OF S P INOZA
.

§ 3 THE E D U C A T ION OF SPINOZA

.

§ 4 S P I N OZA S A L I E NA T ION FRO M THE S Y NA G O G UE

’
.

1 6 5 4— 1 6 5 6 xxxu

§ 5 . THE L AS T YE ARS OF S P INOZA S S T A Y IN AN D ’

N E AR A M S T E R D A M 6 5 6 6 6
— 1 -1 0

§ 6 . S P I N OZA S S T A Y IN RI JN S U R G 6 6 6 6 3
’
B — 1 0— 1

§7 . S P INOZA S S T A Y IN OOR U R G 6 O3 G7
’
V B — T — I O

§8 . SP I NOZA S S T A Y IN THE H A G U E 6 7 6 7 7
’ —
1 0— 1

§9 . THE CH ARA C T E R OF S P INOZA

II . H I S T O RY O F T H E S H O R T TR E A TI S E
I THE D I SC O V E R Y OF THE M AN U S C R I PTS
.

§ 2 THE H IS T OR Y OF THE M AN U S C RI PT S
.

§ 3 T HE T w o M AN U S C R I P T S C O MP AR E D
.

§ 4 THE C O MP ON E N T PAR T S OF THE S H OR T T R E A

“

T IS E
.

” '

§ 5 THE O R I G I N AN D CH ARA CTE R O F THE SH O RT “

.

T R E A T IS E ”

§ 6 L I TE RA T U R E O N T HE S H OR T T R E A T IS E “
.

T R A N S LAT I O N O F T H E S H O R T TR E A TI S E ( S ee .

S ep a r a te Ta b l e of C ontents 1 5 9 I O)
91 , .
,

C O M M E NT A R Y
I ND E X
 L I S T O F I L L U S T R A T I O NS

TH E S P I NO A-HUI S A T R I JN S U R G
“
Z B

FACS I M I L E OF S P INOZA S A U T O G RAP H

’

( C onc l usion o f se c o nd l e t te r t o O l d e nb urg )

THE S T AT U E OF S PINOZA A T TH E HAG U E f a c ing xc v n

FA C S I M ILE OF A PO EM S I G N E D M NN KH BY O I OFF cv iii

FA CS I M I LE OF PA G E 4 I N A I

FA CS I M I LE OF PA G E 2 3 IN B cx iii
FA CS I M I LE OF T I T LE -PA G E OF A
FA CS I M I L E OF T I T L E-P A G E OF B
POR T RA I T OF S PINOZA IN x A
As C oD E
b e tw e en
FA CS I M I LE OF M NN xH O I E SES FAC I N G
O FF s V R T HE 1 0 a nd ”

POR T RA I T
F A CS I M I L E OF F I R ST P A G E OF A f ac ing 12

F A CS I M ILE O FI S T P A G E
F R F B O
 I TRO D UCTIO N

I . THE LI F E OF SP I NOZA
II . H I ST O R Y OF T H E S H O RT TRE A TI S E
 S o st e h t e s v or u ns , i D
d es e nk e rl e b e n, W
g a nz d e r i
ah rh e t

i
g e w e h t , u nd d ar n e i b b en e ru h t d ie b i i
E rh a e nh e t se ne r
i
s t l l e n GrOsse D e nn
. z u st e rb en fiir d ie W h h it g t
a r e , sa
”
m an , se i sc h w er— sc h w e re r is t es f ur s ie zu l eb e n .

W WIN D E LB AN D
.
,
Z u m Ge d ac htnis S p in oza s .
 THE LIFE OF S P I NO Z A

§ I . H I ST O R I C AL AN TECE D E N TS
B ARU C H or e edic t S pin oz a w as b or n of Je w i sh p aren ts
B n "
,

o n t h e 2 4th o f N ov ember 1 6 3 2 a t Am s t e r d a m At th at
,
.

t ime t h e Je w s of Am s t e r da m c o n s i st ed a lm ost en t i r ely o f

r e f ugee s or t h e c h ild r en o f r e f ugee s w h o h a d e s c a ped f ro m
, ,

S p a i n a n d Portug al w h e r e t h ey h ad lived as c ryp to-

,
J e ws ,

in c ons ta nt d r ea d O f th e I nqui sit i on .

S p a i n h a d bee n th e h o me o f J e w s l o ng be f o r e t h e in tro
duct i on of C h r isti a n i ty U nde r non-C hri sti a n r ule th ey
.

e nj oyed c o ns idera ble p ow e r a nd p rospe r i ty Wi th th e in .

tro d u c tio n of C h ri s t i a ni ty h ow eve r c a me t h e de s i r e to

, ,

c o nvert t h e Jew s ; a nd a s th e C hu r ch w as not very nice or

s c r upul o u s a b o u t t h e me th o d s empl oyed th e r e c o mmenced ,

a s e r ie s o f i n t e r mi tt en t b ar b ar i t ie s w h ic h st a ined th e a nn a l s

o f mediev a l C h r i s t i a n i ty f or m a ny cen tu r ie s F or tun a tely .

f or t h e Je w s th e s e pe rs ecu t i o n s w e r e nei th e r unive rsa l

n or c o n s ta n t . B ad bl oo d b r oke ou t n ow h e r e n ow th e re , ,

b ut th e r e w e r e u s u ally a l s o h e a l th y s p ot s and h ea l th y ,

members immu n e f ro m th e f ell di s ease Wh ile th e

, .

f a n at ici s m of t h e mob w as o ft en i rr i tat ed by envy t h e ,

f a n at ici s m of p rince s w as as a r u le o ve r c ome by th ei r

,
‘

person al int er e sts F or t h e Je w s of S p ain number ed some

.

O f t h e b r a ve st soldie rs so me o f th e a ble s t Mini s t e rs of S t at e

, ,

a n d a b o ve a l l s o me o f t h e m os t r e s o u r ce f ul fin a nci e rs Th e
“

.
, ,

Kings O f S p a in a n d Portug a l a c c ord ing l y took t he J e ws under

, ,

t h ei r p r ot ec t i on th ough t h ey c o uld n ot a l wa y s p r eve n t ou t

,

bre a ks wh ich involved th e l oss of th ou sa nd s of Jew i sh live s .

Du ring pe ri ods of r e s pit e J ews ou tvied th ei r n e igh b ou rs in

,

B
e ne di t i i mp l y t h L t i
e us s s q i l t f th H b w B
e a ne h
u va e n o e e re a ruc .

xi
 I NTR ODU CT ION
e d evoti o n to li terat u re S cience a nd p h il osoph y Th e y
t h ir , , .

p r o d u ced em inen t p o e t s celeb r a t ed d o c t o rs a n d a str o

,

n o me rs a n d m os t in fluen t i a l p h il o s o p h e r s
,
I n deed t h e .

ten th eleven t h a n d t w el ft h cen t u rie s h a ve c o me t o be t e

, ,

ga rded as th e golden ag e in t h e h i story of the Je ws s ince

t h e di spe rsi o n a n d th a t c h iefly t h r o ugh th e di st inc ti o n
,

a c h ie ved b y t h e J e w s o f S p a in B u t f a n at ici s m nei th e r .

s l umb er ed n o r s lep t And t he clim ax wa s rea c h ed in th e

.

yea r 1 49 2 w h en u nd er t h e b a nef ul influe n ce of Torque

, ,

ma da the J ews wer e expelled f rom S p a in in spi t e o f t h e

, ,
,

g olden p romi s es m a de by Fer di n a n d a n d I sa bella so l o ng

a s t h ey n eeded Je w i s h a id a ga i n s t M o or i s h f o e s B a p t is m .

or b a ni s h men t s uc h w e r e t h e a l t e r n a t ive s O ff e r ed t o t h e
—

Je ws And th os e wh o p r e f e rr ed th e w a nde r er s s taff to t h e

.
'

ba p ti s ma l f ont w er e p roh ibit ed f r o m t aki n g aw ay th ei r gold

o r s ilve r wi th t h em S ome t w o h und r ed th ou s a nd Je w s or
.

mor e p a id th e pen a lty f or t h ei r r el g ou s l oya l t y a nd i i

,

w a nde red f or th fr o m th e ir n a t ive l a nd th e h o me O f t h ei r ,

f a the rs a n d f o r e fath e r s f or cen tu r ie s ; m a n y th o u sa nds o f

th em o nly t o m e e t w i th a n un t imely de at h ow ing t o t h e
har d sh ip s of t h ei r w a nder i n g s S o me fi fty t h ou s a n d h ow .
,

ever ch ose b ap t i s m a nd r ema i ned in S p a in M a ny o f th em

, , .

r em a ined J e w s a t h e a rt fig h t ing t h e Je s ui ts w i th th ei r o w n ,

w e ap o n s un t il a n o pp or t uni t y s h o uld p r e s en t i ts el f of
,

ma king g oo d th eir e s ca pe w ith w h at w or ldly g oods t h ey

p osse ss ed S o me o f th es e cryp to-J ew s ( or M ara n os a s
.
,
’

t h ey we r e c a lled ) a s a l s o m a n y o f t h e o r igin a l exile s O f

,

1 49 2 f ound r ef uge f o r a t ime in Po r t ug a l

,
B u t o nly f or a .
“

s h or t t ime S oon th e h o und s o f t h e I n qui s i ti o n w e r e o n th e

.

s cen t f or th e Je w i s h bl o o d o f t h e Ne w C h r i st i a n s in Po r t uga l ,

a s well a s in S p a in Th e m ost f r iv ol ou s p r e t ex t s er ved

‘

a s s u fficien t e vide n ce C o u n t le ss c o nve r t s o r de s cend a n ts

.
,

Th tym l g y f t h
e e m M o o i o t i B t it
e na m t he a ra n o s u nc e r a n . u se e s o av e

p p l i d t t h N w Ch i t i th d m ibl y ”
bee n a e i th
o e e f d
r sp a ns n e se nse o e a ne , os s

ma n l ove th L or d l e t him
"
in al l u sion t o
. I C or int hia ns , xv i . 22 : I a ny not the ,

be a na the ma marana tha .

xiv I N TRODU CT ION
inqui s i tor Pet er Tite l ma nn w h o r u sh ed thr ough th e c ountry
,

like a t empest a nd s n atc h ed a w ay w h ole f a milies to th ei r

,

destructio n w ith ou t being c alled t o a cc oun t by any one

,
.

For tun at ely f or th e Neth erl a nd s Willi a m of O ra nge S ta dt

, ,

hol der of H oll a nd Zeel a nd a n d U tr ec h t h a d le arn ed fr o m

, ,

King H en ry of F ra n ce th e w h ole ex ten t of Ph ilip s bl oo dy ’

s c h eme s f or t h e ex t i rp a t i o n o f di ss e n t e r s T h oug h a t t h at
.

t ime a C a th olic h im s el f h e r e vo l t ed f r o m s uc h h e ar t le s s
,

in h um a ni ty in th e gui se of r eligi o n a nd de ter mined t o ,

w a t c h a nd w a i t . I n t h e mea n time t h e h oly inqui s itors

,

h ad a mple opp ort uni ty t o s l a ke t h ei r u n h o ly t h i rst .

Wedged in be tween Fra nce a nd G e r ma ny t he Neth e rl a nd s ,

w er e n at u r a lly influe n ced by t h e C a lvini s m o f t h e o n e a nd

t h e Lu th e ra ni s m of t h e o th e r . Unde r th e ci rcumsta nce s ,

t o give unlimi t ed p ow e r t o t h e I nqui s i t i o n me a n t p r a c t i

ca lly to c o ndemn a w h ole pe ople t o de ath Th e pe ople wer e .

f u ri ou s. V a ri ou s lea gue s a nd c onf ede r a cies w er e for med .

Th e p os i t i o n of aff ai rs s eemed f or a t ime s o th r e at ening t h a t

t h e R egen t ,
M argar et o f Pa r m a a w or th y di s ciple of
,

L oy ol a gra n t ed a n A c c ord in 1 5 6 6 in w h ich th e Inquisi ti on

,

w a s a b o li sh ed . B u t t h i s was o n ly d one t o g a i n t ime by

duping th e ra th er ta c tle ss m alc o n t en t s Th e f oll owing ye ar
.
,

1 56
7 th er e a ppear ed o n th e s cene Alva t h e m ost bl oo d th ir s ty
, ,

a n d un s c r upul o u s vill a in even of h is gene ra t i on H e b r ough t .

w i t h him t e n t h o u sa nd ve t e r a n t r o op s t o pu r ge t h e N eth e r
l a nd s of h e r e t ic s And now c ommenced t h e g rim struggle
.

f or exi st ence w h ic h w a s t o l a s t eight y l on g ye ars ( 1 5 6 7

Af t er var i ou s f ortune s a n d mi sfor tune s th e s even n orth e r n
p r o vinc e s m ore o r le s s de s e r t ed by t h e t e n s o u th e r n p ro vince s
, ,

leagued th em selves toge th e r by t h e U ni o n of Utr ech t in ,

1 5 79 t o de f end o ne a n o th e r
, w i th li f e g oo d s a nd bl o o d
, ,

a g a in s t th e f o r ce s o f th e King o f S p a i n a n d t h ey dec r eed

, ,

a t t h e sa me t ime t h a t eve ry ci tizen sh all r em a in f r ee in h is

,

r eligi o n a n d t h at n o ma n s h a ll be m o le s ted o r
, q ue st i o ned
o n t h e s ubj e c t o f divine w ors hip Th e uni ted p r o vince s
”
.

m a nag ed t o h old th ei r o wn under th e le adersh ip of Fath er

 TH E LI F E OF SP INOZA xv
Willia m th e s ilent b u t sleeple ss gu ardi a n of h is c oun try s
,
’

f or tune s .C o mme rce a l s o s oo n r evived f or Du t c h s a il ors ,

we r e m or e t h a n a m a t ch f or t h e S p a ni a rd s w h o m th e ,

E ngli sh a l so h elped t o c r ipple n ota bly by t h e de s tr uct i o n

,

o f t h e g r e at A r m a d a in 1 8 8
5 .

Th e Ne th er l a nd r ev o l t a g a in st S p a in a n d t h e I n qui s i t i o n
w as w e m ay be s u r e f oll ow ed w i th keen in t e r e st by t h e
, ,

S p a ni sh an d Por t ugue s e M ara n os w h o h a d t h ei r r el at ive s

,

a n d a gen t s in a l l t h e E u ro pe a n cen t r e s of c o mme r ce Th e .

dec r ee of tole ra t i o n included in t h e U ni on of U t r ec ht

s eemed t o h o l d o u t s o me p r o mi s e t o th em a n d t h e l ot of

th e Ma ra n os w a s n ot likely t o imp r ove ( indeed t h ei r need s

o n ly bec a me m o r e u rgen t en r t ug a l w as c o nque r ed
) w h P o

by S p a in in 1 5 79 Ab ou t th e ye ar 1 5 9 1 th e r e arrived in
.

Amsterda m a n e w c on s ul fro m th e Ki ng of M orocco Th e .

c on sul s n am e was S amuel Pal l ac h e a nd h e was a Je w He

’

,
.

commenced negoti a ti on s w i th t h e m agistrate s of Middelbu rg ,

in Zeel a nd f or th e s e ttleme n t o f Portugue s e M ara nos t h e r e

,
.

Th e religi o u s t empe r of th e clergy m a de t h e neg ot i a t i o n s

f r ui tl e s s
. B u t th e Por t ugues e M ara n o s w e r e in s uc h stra i ts
t h a t so me o f t h em r e s olved t o s eek r e fuge in H o ll a n d w i th o u t
an
y p r elimin a r y arr a n gemen t s r elying s imply
,
o n t h e n a t u ra l

s ymp a t h y o f th e Du t c h w i t h a l l f ell o w - vict im s of Ph ilip a nd

t h e Inqui s i t i on Acc or dingly in 1 5 93 th e r e ar r ived in Am ster
.
,

d am t h e fi rst b at c h of M ar a n o f ugi t ive s Th ey h a d s a iled

.

f r o m O p ort o a n d h a d h a d a n a dven t u ro u s voy a ge

,
Th ey .

w e r e c ap t ur ed by E n gli s h bucc a nee rs a n d ta ken to Lo nd o n .

Th ey o w ed t h ei r r ele a s e c h ie fly t o th e be wi t c h ing be a u t y o f

o n e of th ei r numbe r t h e f a i r Ma r i a Nunes w h o h ad a n
, ,

a udie n ce o f
Q ueen E liz a be th a n d a c t u ally d rove w i th h e r
,

in an open ca rr i age th rough th e s tree ts of L ond on An .

E ngli s h Duke off e r ed h e r h is h a nd b u t th e be a u t i ful M ar a n o

,

declined t h e h on ou r bei ng det e rmined t o r e t u r n t o th e

,

r eligi o n of h e r a nce st or s S uc h w as t h e S pi r i t o f t h e s e
.

f ugi t ive M ar a n os w h o s e tt led in Am st er da m a n d s ecr e t ly ,

r e t u r ned to J ud a i s m Th e s ec r e t le a ked ou t in 1 5 96
. Th ey .
xvi I N TR ODU CT ION
w er e celeb rating th e D ay of Ato nement a t th e h ou se of th e ,

a b o ve -men t i o ned Pa l l a c h e w h en t h ei r my st e r i o u s g a t h er ing

,

a ro u s ed t h e s u s pici o n of neig h b o u r s Armed men th er eup o n .

a rr i v ed o n t h e s cene a n d a rr e s t ed t h e s u r p r i s ed w or sh ippers
,

w ho w e r e s u s pec ted of bei n g Pa pi s ts B u t w h en it w as ex .

pl a i n ed t hat th ey h ad fled f ro m t h e I n q u i s i t i on t ha t th ey h ad ,

bro ugh t c on s idera ble w ea l th w i th t h em a nd w ould d o t h ei r ,

u tm ost t o p ro mot e t h e c o mmerc i a l p r os perity of A mste rd a m ,

t h ey w e e s e t f r ee a n d le ft in pe a ce
r Tw o ye a rs l at e r in 1 5 9 8 .
, ,

t h ey w e r e a ll o w ed t o a c q ui r e t h ei r fi r st pl a ce of w or s h ip ,

t h ough it w a s n ot t ill 1 6 1 9 th at f o r m a l pe r mi ss i o n w a s given

t o t h e J e w s t o h o ld publi c w o rs h ip n or w e r e th ey r ec ogni s ed ,

a s ci t ize n s t ill 1 6 A t a l l ev en t s t h e fi rs t J e ws s e tt led in

57 .

Am ste r d am in 1 5 93 a n d ot h ers soo n f oll ow ed from S p a in

, ,

Por t ugal Fr a nce a n d el s e w h er e

,
W h a t i n t e r e sts u s h e r e
.

is t h at a m o n g t h e s e e a r ly arr iv a l s w e re Abra h a m Mic h a el

“

d E S p in oza a n d h is so n Mic h a el w h o w as t o be t h e fat h e r

’

o f ou r p h il os op h e r B ene d ic t S pin o z a
, .

§ 2 . T HE H O M E OF SP I NOZA
Th e n a me S pinoz a ( l
i e n var i ou s l y a s E spinos a
a so w r tt ,

d E spinoza D esgbinoz a a n d D e S pinoza) w a s m os t p r oba bly

’

, ,

de r ived fro m E spinosa a t ow n in Le on Th e S pin oz as ,

.

lived orig nal l y in S p a in Du r ing th e per s ecu t i o n s t h er e

I .

s ome o f t h em s eem t o h a ve o u t w a r dly emb r a ced C h r i s

t ia n it y .
( As l a t e a s 1 7 2 1 eig h t de s cend a n t s o f t h ei rs ,

living in or near Gra na d a w er e c o n demned t o l if e-l ong ,

imp r i so nmen t a s Judai s ing h e r e tic s ) S o me fled t o Por tuga l .

,

o th e rs t o Fra nce b u t t h ey m e t a g a in in Am st e r d a m as s o o n
,

a s it bec a m e k n o wn t h a t Je w s w e r e t o le ra t ed t h e r e B en e .

di c t s gra nd fath er is twice de s cr ibed in t he S yn ago gue

’

ar c h ive s a s Abr a h a m E s pin o s a o f N a n t e s f r o m w h ic h it ,

 T HE LI F E OF SP I NOZA xvii
w o uld ppe a r that h e li ved t h e re some t ime O n t h e oth e r
a .

h a nd it s eem s th a t Mic h a el (h is s on a n d t h e f a t h e r o f
, ,

B e n edic t) S Ia yed a t o n e t ime in Figue ra s nea r C o imb ra

—

‘
, ,

a n d t h a t his t h i r d w i f e h a iled fr o m L is b o n A n d a s t r a di .

t i o n un a n im o u s ly de s c r ibe s S pin o z a a s o f Po rt ugue s e

d e s cen t it s eem s r e a s o n a ble t o s upp os e t h at h is f a th e r a n d
,

g ra n d fath e r c a me fr o m S p a i n or P or tugal a nd that t h ei r ,

s ta y in F r a n ce w a s o n ly b r ie f .

Ve r y li ttle is k no w n of S pi n oz a s fa th e r a n d gra ndf at h e r ’

.

Th ey w e r e me r c h a n t s a n d w e r e e viden t ly h eld in h ig h
“

e st eem F or a l r e a dy in 1 6 2 2 w e find Abrah am E s pin o sa

.
, ,

filli n g a n imp orta n t h on or a r y office in t h e Am st e rd a m

J e w i s h c ommu n i ty of w h i c h h e s eem s t o h a ve bee n th e
,

r ec o gni s ed h e a d in 1 6 2 8 H is s o n Mic h a el E s pin osa h eld

.
, ,

o ffi c e eve n m or e f r eque nt ly H e w as War den o f h is .

S y n a g ogue in 1 6 3 3 1 6 3 7—8 1 6 4 2 — 3 a n d a g a i n in 1 6 49 5 0
, , ,
-
,

w h e n h e w a s a l s o o n e o f t h e Wa r de n s o f t h e Am s te r d a m
J e w i sh S ch o ol a nd p r e s ided over t h e c h ar i t y f or gra n t ing
,

l oa n s w i th out i n te r e st If n ot r ich h e wa s p r o b a bly w ell

.
,

t o-d o . I n 1 6 4 1 it is t r ue w e still fin d h im living in th e

, ,

Vl oyenb urgh b u t th i s w as p ro b a bly n ot a t t h a t t ime t h e

,

p oor qu ar ter wh ic h it bec a me s ub s eque n tly S oon a ft er .

w a r d s h o w eve r h e m o ved i n t o t h e H outgragt ( n ow t h e

'

, ,

Waterl oopl ein) a n d th e h ou s e in w h ic h h e lived t h e cl osing

,

ye a rs of h is li f e l ooks s ub s ta n t i a l even n o w It is n u m .

ber ed 4 1 a n d c a n a l s o be ide n tified b y a s ton e ta ble t (pl aced

,

th er e in 1 74 3 ) w h i c h be a s t h e i n s cr ip ti o n r t O p r e c h te “ ’

Tap ij t h u is ( t h e u p r ig h t t a pe st ry h o u s e ) B u t w h at e ver .
,

h is w o r ldly f o rt une may h a ve bee n Mic h a el h a d m or e t h a n ,

h is s h ar e o f d o me s t ic s orr o w H is firs t w i f e died in 1 6 2 7

. .

H is s ec o nd w i f e H a n n a h Deb or ah t h e m ot h e r o f B e n edic t
, , ,

died in 1 6 3 8 He m arr ied a g a in in 1 6 4 1 b u t h is th ir d w if e

.
,

a Li s b o n l a dy a l s o p r edece a s ed h im in 1 6 2 T h ye
, 5 e ar .

befor e in 1 6 5 1 h is d a ught e r Mi ri am died a t th e ag e of 2 2

, , , , ,

a n d b u t a li t t le m o r e t h a n a ye a r a f t e r h e r m a rr i a ge t o
xviii IN TR ODU CT ION
Sa muel de C ass e t e s Mic ha el h a d a l so l ost three oth er ch il
.

d ren a n d only t wo of h is six c h ildren n amely B enedict

, , ,

a n d a d a ug h t e r R ebe k a h ( b or n o f th e fi r st m arr i a ge)

, ,

s u rv ived h im w h e n h e died sh or t ly a f t e r wa r d s in 1 6 4
5 ,
.

Th e c h ild h oo d o f S pi n oz a w a s n o d oub t h a ppy en o ugh .

U nt il h e w a s five h e w ou ld be en t i r ely unde r h is m oth er s

’

c ar e a s w as th e Je w i sh cu stom Th en his s ch ool -lif e w ould

, .

begin w i th its qua in t i n tr oduc tory cerem oni a l Th e ce r e

, .

m on y c on nec t ed w i th th e li ttle b oy s e nt ra n ce in to s ch ool

’

li f e wa s p r ob a bly one of t h e l ast an d h a ppie st o f the p oor

, ,

m o th e r s expe r ie nces It w a s pe rfor med p ar tly in sch oo l

’
.

a n d p a r t ly in t h e S y n a g ogue o f w h ic h h is f a t h e r w a s W a r den
,

a t t h e t ime Acc or ding t o t ra di t i ona l cu s tom t h ree cake s

.
,

o f fine fl o u r a n d h o n ey w er e b a ked f o r t h e b o
y by a y oung
ma iden a n d fr ui t w as pr ov ided in p r of u s i on O ne of his
, .
'

fat h e r s le a rn ed f r iend s w ould c arry h im in h is ar ms

’

to th e S yn a gogue wh e re h e w ould be pl a ced o n th e

,

r e a ding - d ais w h ile th e T e n C omm a ndmen t s w e r e r e a d

f r om t h e S c r o ll o f t h e L a w Th en h e w ould be t aken
.

t o s ch o ol t o recei ve h is fi r st le s so n in H ebr e w S o me .

s imple H eb r e w ve r s e s w o uld be s me a r ed o n a s l at e w i t h

h o ney a n d li t tle B a ruc h w o uld repe at th e H eb r e w le tt e rs

, ,

a n d e a t th e h o ney a n d o t h e r d a in ty t h ings so t h a t t h e ,

w o r d s o f th e Law migh t be s w ee t t o h is lip s And th en .

in to h is m oth er s ar m s ’

U n fo rt un a t ely h is m o th e r died w h e n B aruc h wa s b a r ely

s ix ye ars o l d a n d f or t h e nex t t hr ee ye ar s o r s o h e w as le ft
, , ,

t o t h e c a r e of h is s tep s i s t er R ebekah w h o m a y n ot h a ve
, ,

been m or e t h a n t w elve years o f ag e h e rsel f T o judge by .

s ub s equen t even t s th e r e w as p r o b a bly n ot muc h l o ve l o s t

,

be tween R ebekah an d B a r uc h F or wh en th ei r fath er .

,

died in 1 6 5 4 sh e did h e r u tm ost to p reven t B enedict from

,

r eceivi n g h is s h ar e o f t h e in h er i ta n ce a n d h e w en t t o l a w
, ,

t h o ug h h e l e t h e r keep n e ar ly e ve r y th ing a ft e r h e h ad
w on th e l a ws ui t At h is de ath al so h e r c o nduc t was not
.
 THE LI F E OF SP I NOZA xix

exempl ar y ; sh e h ast ened to th e H a gue to cla im h e r in h e r i t

a n ce b u t m a de o ff a g a in as s oo n a s S h e le a r ned t h a t t h e
,

p rope rty lef t w as h ar dly en ough t o c ove r h is deb ts a n d

f une ra l expen s e s All th i s h ow eve r bel on ged a s ye t t o t h e
.
, ,

f u tu r e. In t h e mea n time o ne m ay w ell imagi n e th e p ath et ic

pic tu r e of t h e ch ild sta nd b y his m o th er s grave a n d li spi n g
Ir
’

t h e m o u r n e r s p raye r in e b r e w w h ic h h e h a d b u t ju st c o m
’
I
,

m e n c e d to le ar n F or n a r ly a w h o le ye ar a f t e rw ard s h e mig h t
. e

be s een tw ice o r t hr ee t imes e a c h d ay in th e neigh b ou ri n g

S yn a g o gue r eci t i n g a l o ud t h a t s a me m o u r ne r s p ra ye r w i th a
’

, ,

myst e ri ou s f eeling of a w e a n d s o lemni ty ye t gl a d w i tha l t o ,

be d oing so me th ing f or his p oor m oth e r E ac h a n nive rsa r y .

of h e r de ath w o uld be c o mmem or a t ed b y a s peci a l lig h t t h a t

w as kep t bu r n i n g a t h o m e f or t w e n t y -f o u r h o u r s in mem or y
of a ligh t t h a t h a d f a iled b ut w as believed to be s t ill s h ed
,

ding its rays in a n oth e r S p h e re An d t h e s olem n d ays o f

.

t h e Je w i sh c a lend a r w e r e o nly m a de m or e s o lem n f or h im

by tender mem or ie s of th e t ouch of a va ni sh ed h and a n d
“
,

th e s ound of a v o ice th a t w as s t ill .

We mu st not h ow eve r exa ggerat e th e sa d s ide of you n g

, ,

S p in oz a s li f e th o ugh it certa inly h a d its s a d s ide Wh en

’
— .

h e wa s in h is ni n th ye ar h e r eceived a s t epm oth er B eing .

b u t a r ecen t M a ra n o r e f ugee fr o m Li s b on s h e ma y n ot
h a ve been e xa c t ly t h e ki n d o f w om a n t o in s pi r e y o ung
S pin oza w i th a ny s peci a lly w ar m att a c h men t t o Jud a i s m .

Like so ma ny M ara n os sh e may h av e be e n h a l f C ath olic in

h e r tra ining f ro m th e nece ss i ty o f o u t war d c o n for mi ty t o
,

Ro m a n C atho lici s m S t ill s h e w a s p rob a bly kind t o t h e

.
,

c h ild r en a nd th e h ome w ould r e sume it s n or m a l to ne Th e

,
.

Je wi sh c a lendar m or e over h a s it s j oyou s Fe st iva l s even its

, , ,

f r iv ol o u s c ar niva l ; a nd a g oo d Je w like Mic h a el E spin os a

w as n ot likely t o neglec t h is r eligi o u s du ty t o be a n d t o
make merry on th e s e occ a si on s Fi rst th er e w as th e .
,

w eekly S abb at h a nd S a bb ath eve ( F r id a y evening ) s o of ten

a n d s o j u st ly celeb ra t ed in ver s e— even by H eine in h is ,
xx IN TR ODU CT ION
P rincess S ab b ath pi ri t in w h ich it w a s celebrated
. Th e s

pe r h a ps be st exp r e s s ed in th e f oll o wing ve rs e s fro m o ne

t h e l a ter S a bb at h h ymn s

Tho u be ut iful a S ab b a t h , t h o u s anc i ed d

t fi a y,

T hat c ha se s t o ur c are s a nd ou r sorr o ws a wa y ,

0 co me wit h g ood fort une, wi t h j oy and wi t h p ea c e

To t he home s o f t hy p ious , t h e i r b l i ss t o i nc reas e

I n h o no u r of th ee a re t he t a b l e s d e ked wh it e
c

F t om t h e e
c l a r c a nde l a b ra sh ne s i m ny l ig h t
a a

A l l me n in t h e fin e st of
g ar sme nt are d e ed r ss ,

A s fa r as his p u eers ac h ha t h g o t him t h e b e t s

For as soon a s the S a bb a t h-ha t is p u t on t he h ad, e

Ne w f e el i ng s eel i ng s e d d
are b orn a n d ol d f ar ea

Y es, sudd enl y v ni h bl k c e nd g i m ow

a s ac ar a r sorr ,

None t oub l e n ni ng t he t hi ng of t -mo ow

r s co c er s o rr .

N w h e ve nl y p owe
e a gi n t e h rs a re ve o ac

O f eve yd y m t t e n w h u hed i l l p ee h
r a a rs o s s a s c

At e t r e s l l h nd t h t h ve t oi l ed wit h mu h p ai n
ar a a s a a c

N w p e nd t anquil l ity eve ywhe e eig n

o e ac a r r r r .
”

Th en th e r e w e r e th e th r ee P ilg rim Festiva l s Pa sn gf , ,

Pen tec os t a n d Ta be r n a cle s a l l o f th em e ss en t i a lly j oy ou s

im m
, ,

n t he fi rst t w o eve n i n g s of Pa s s o ver e s pe

c ia l l y
,
c h ildr e n pl ay a n imp or tan t r ol e O n e c a n e as ily .

im agi n e t h e imp orta n t a ir w i th w h ic h li t tle B ar uch ope n ed

t h e d ome s t ic celeb rat i o n s o n t h e s e o cc a s i o n s by a sking t h e
me a ning o f s uch stra nge di sh e s as bi tte r h e rbs a yell ow ,

l o oking mix tu re of a lm ond s ci n n a mon a nd a pples &c B y , ,

.

way of a n s w e r his f ath er w o uld t h en r el at e t o t h e a s s embled

h o u se h old t h e ol d ye t ever n e w s t or y o f t h e bi tt e r live s
,

wh ic h t h e I sra eli t e s h a d lived in E gyp t of th e br icks a n d ,

m orta r w i th w h ich th ey h a d t o build Pi t h o m a n d Ra ms e s

unde r c ruel tas kma ste rs un t il God delive r ed th em fro m ,

T l t d b y I My
ra n s a e ( I Ab h m
.
J wi h Lif i th M d dl
e rs s ee . ra a s : e s e n e i e

A g e s, p .
xxii I N TR ODU CT ION
Th en th e re wa s th e Feast of Lots (Purim) in c e l e b rat i o n
o f I sra el s e s c a pe f r o m th e evil de s ign s o f H a m a n a s t o ld
’

in th e B ook of E sther As th e lif e of th e Je w w ould b e

.

c ome in tole ra bly solemn if a l l h is pers ecu tors w ere taken

s e r i o u s ly H a m a n w as tr e at ed m or e like a cl ow n th a n a
,

vill a in a nd t h e h al f-h olida y associ at ed w i th h is n ame was

,

celebrat ed a s a kind of c ar nival wh en it w a s deemed wro ng

,

t o be s ta id a n d wh en w i t s w er e r e adily indulged in p ar o dy
,

ing even R abbi s a nd p raye rs a nd h ad a mple licence t o

,

m ake fool s of th em s elve s a nd of o th ers Ab ove a l l it w a s .

t h e o cca s i o n f or pl a y s P urim pl a y s as t h ey w e r e c a lled

, , .

At th a t t ime t h e s e w er e n o t ye t s e t pl a ys b u t in for m al ,

bu ff oo ner ie s li nked t o th e st ory of Ah a s uer u s and H ama n ,

o r by w ay o f v a r iet y t u r ning o n t h e s tory of t h e S a le o f

, ,

J os eph or D avid s encoun t er w i th Goli ath a nd t he like

,
’

, .

O n o ne s uc h o cc a s i o n S pin o za m a y h ave w i t ne ss ed a pl a y
w r i tten by o n e o f h is s eni or s ch ool -f ell ow s M os e s Z ac uto , ,

w h os e L I nferno F igurat o ( wr i tt en in H e b re w ) e xp r e sse d t h e

’
.

w r i t e r s s c or n of th e Inqui s i t i o n Th e h er o of t h e st ory
’
.

w as Ab ra h a m w h o s e st e a dfa st ne ss a g a in s t Nim rod an d

,

lege n dary e sca pe fr o m th e fie r y f u r n a ce w e r e me ant to .

typi f y th e J e w i sh f or tune s in S p a in .

Lastly men t i o n may a l s o be ma de of w hat may ro ugh ly

,

be described a s a kind of C onfirmati o n cer em ony wh e n

S pin oz a c o mple t ed h is th i r t een t h ye a r O n t h a t S a bb ath
.

h e w ould c h a n t a l oud in t h e S yn a g ogue a p or ti on of t h e

uc h a n d p os s ibly a l so t h e p orti on fro m
Law or ,
M ,

t h e Pr o ph e t s a pp oin t ed t o be r e a d o n t h at d ay A ft e r t h e .

s ervice in th e S yn agogue h is f a t h e r w o uld en t e rt a in a l l h is

,

fr iend s at h o me in h o n o u r of t h e o cc as i o n a nd y o ung ,

B ar uch w o uld a cc or ding t o cu sto m m ake a speec h at

, ,

t a ble . Th i s s peec h w o uld o f c o u rs e h ave been c ar e f ully

, ,

p r ep ar ed by h im fo r th e o cc asi on n ot wi th ou t the ass ist

,

a nce o f h is t e a c h e r ; a n d fili a l g ra t i t ude f or th e p ast a nd

l avi sh promi ses for th e futur e would begin and end a m ore
 THE LI F E OF SP I NOZA xxiii
or le ss l e ar n e d di s c ou rs e O ne w ould like t o kn ow wh at
.

h e a c t u a lly did s ay a n d w h a t h e t h o ugh t o f it a l l a f t e r

,

wards !
In t h e me a n wh ile h is t ime mu st h ave been f ully occupied .

H e w a s at s ch oo l f ro m 8 t ill 1 1 e a c h m or ning a n d f ro m 2 ,

t ill 5 in t h e a f t e rn o o n o n w eekd a ys ; a nd s o me o f th e h o u r s
w h en h e w a s n ot a t s c h oo l w e r e o c c upied in s c h oo l p r ep ara
t i o n a nd a l so in t h e s t udy of s ecul ar s ubj ec ts unde r a
,

p r iva t e t e ach e r or t ea ch e rs M ost p ro b a bly h e c on t i nued

.

t o s t udy at t h e J e w i sh s c h o o l o r a c a demy un t il h e w a s
eigh teen so as to give h im a n opp ortuni ty to de vel op that
,

unco mm on a bili ty of w h ich h e sh ow ed unmi s ta kable s i g n s

at t h e a g e o f fi ft een in t h e pe r plexing que st i o n s w h ic h h e

a s ked o f Ra bbi M o r te ir a . At eig h t een it w as h igh t ime t o

t h ink of a me a n s o f liveli h ood H is b ro th e r or h a l f-b r oth e r
.
, ,

I saac died j u st a b ou t th at t ime H is f a th er m ay h av e th ough t

.

o f t a king h im in t o bu s ine s s B ut S pin o z a s t as t e s did n ot lie

'
.

in t h e di rect i o n of bu s ine ss He p r e f e rr ed t o s eek th e me an s

.

o f s upp or t in s o me o ccup a t i o n t h a t w o uld keep him in t o uc h

w i th s cience a n d s c h o l ars h ip Th i s p r o b a bly de t er mined h im

.

t o le a r n th e ar t o f p o li sh ing le n s e s w h ic h w a s t a ken up by
,

m a ny le a rn ed men o f h is ge n e rat i on By th at t ime h e m ay .

a l r e a dy h a ve sh o w n s o me o f h is h e r e t ic a l t e n d e nc I e s a nd ,

t h e s e may h a ve given r i s e t o s ome li tt le f r ic t i o n a t h o me .

Poss ibly t h i s w a s t h e r e aso n w h y h is h a l f -s i ste r R ebekah

a n d h is b ro th e r -in - l aw de C a s s e t e s t r ied s o on a ft e r w a r d s t o
e xclude h im f r o m h is sh ar e o f th e p r o pe rt y w h ic h h is

fath er le ft w h en h e died . S pin oz a h ow ever c o uld s c ar cely

, ,

h a ve been so inc o n s ide r a t e a s t o c a u s e h is f at h e r u n n e c e s

s ar y p a in a n d m os t p r o b a bly h e kep t m ost of h is d o ub t s t o
,

h im s el f a n d r em a ined in his f a th er s h ou s e s o l o ng a s his

’

f ath er lived t h a t is t o sa y t ill M a r c h 1 6 5 4 wh en h e w as

, , ,

in his tw enty-s ec o nd ye ar .
xxiv I N TR ODU CT ION

§ 3 . T HE E DU C A T I ON OF SP INOZA
Th e genera l f e at u r e s of S pin oza s ear ly educa t i o n it is ’

n o t di fficul t t o deline a t e Th e Am st e r d a m J e w i s h c om
.

mu n i ty h a d th ei r o w n boys s c ho o l w h ich w a s f o u n ded ’

a bo ut 1 6 3 8 a n d w h i c h a l l Je w i s h b oy s w o uld a t t e n d as a
,

m att er of c ou rs e Th e gene ra l c urr iculum of th i s s ch ool is

.

kn ow n f ro m c o n t emp o ra ry a cc o un t s We a l so kn ow t h e .

n a me s a nd ch a ra c t ers of s o me of its m ost imp or ta n t

t e a ch e r s in t h e t ime of S pi n oz a Th e r e w e r e s even
.

cl a s se s in th e s ch ool I n th e l ow e st cl ass li tt le boys w er e

.

ta ught t o r e a d t h ei r p ra ye r s in Heb r e w In th e s ec o nd .

cl ass t h ey lea r ned to r e a d a nd ch a n t th e P en tat euch in

Hebre w In th e next cl ass th ey w e r e taugh t t o tra n sl at e
.

p art s of th e P en ta t euch fro m Hebr ew i n to S p a nish ( wh ic h

f or a l o ng t ime c o n t inued t o be th e m o th e r -t o ngue of m a ny
Ams ter da m Je w s n otw i th standing th e w o r s e th a n s t ep
,

moth e rly tr eat men t w h ich h a d been met ed ou t to t h em a nd

th ei r f a th e rs in S p a in ) He r e a l s o t h ey c o mmenced to
.

s t udy R a s h i s H eb r e w C o mmen ta ry o n t h e P en t a t euc h — a

’

commen tary w r itten in t h e ele ven th ce n tu r y b u t so be r fa r ,

bey o nd its a g e Th e b oys in t h e f ou rth cl a ss studied th e

.

P rophets a nd t h e Hagiogra pha In t he r emaining h igh er

.

cl ass e s th ey s t udied H eb r e w Gra mm a r p or t i on s of t he ,

Ta lmud a n d o f t h e l a t e r H ebr e w C o de s t h e w or k s of Ibn ,

E z r a M a im o nide s a n d o th e r s a cc o r di n g t o th e di s c r e t i o n
, , ,

o f t h e Ra bbi w h o in s t r uc t ed a n d a dvi s ed t h em Th e s c h o o l .

h ou rs w e r e f r o m 8 t ill 1 1 A M a n d fr o m 2 t ill 5 R M (o r ea rlie r

. . .

du r ing th e w int e r m on th s) We a re explici t ly -in formed

.
.

t h a t du r ing t h e h o u r s th at th e b oy s w e r e a t h o me t h ey w ould
r eceive p r iv a t e t ui t i o n in s ecul ar s ubj ec t s e ve n in ve rse ,

m a king Th e s ch o o l a lso p oss essed a goo d l e nding librar y

. .

O f t h e t e a ch e rs u n de r w h os e influence S pi noza mu st
h ave co me du ri ng his sc h o o l - d ay s t h e mo st imp ortant ,
 THE LI F E OF SP I NOZA xxv
und oubtedly wer e Rabbi S a ul M orte ira a nd Ra bbi M a nass eh
ben I sra el S aul M orte ira w a s t h e seni or Ra bbi of Am st er
.

dam . B or n in Venice a b o ut 1 5 96 h e s t udied medicine

unde r M on ta l to th e M ara n o C ou r t p h ysici a n o f M ari a de
,
’

Medici M o n tal to died s u ddenly w h ile a cc omp a nying

.

Lo ui s X I I I to To u rs in 1 6 1 6 a nd it w as th e de si r e to
.
, ,

bu ry M on tal to in a J e w i sh ceme te ry that brough t S a ul

M or te ira t o Am st e r d a m w h e r e th e J e w s h a d o nly r ecen t ly
,

( 1 6 1
4) a c qui r ed a ceme te r y in O u w e rke r k (a l s o c a lled
O ude rke rk) ,
n ot ve r y f a r f ro m t h e ci t y Wh ile in .

Amste r da m M or te ira a ccep ted a c all t o th e Ra bbin at e of

,

t h e o lde r o f t h e t w o S yn a g o gue s th e r e ( t h e H ou se of j a c ob ) .

A thi r d S yn a gogue c a me i nto exi st ence tw o ye a r s l at e r b u t in ,

1 6 3 8 t h e t h r ee S y n a g ogue s w e r e a m a lg a m a t ed a n d M or te ira ,

a c ted a s t h e s e n i or o r p r e s iding R a bbi t ill h is dea t h in ,

1 660 . M ort e ira h a d h a d a t a st e of C o u rt li f e a n d w a s n o t ,

a l t o ge th er w a n t i n g in p h il o s op h ic a l a pp r eci a t i o n ; b u t h e

w a s e ss e n t i a lly medieva l st ra i t-l a ced p r os y a n d u n in sp ir

, , ,

ing . I t is r el a t ed t h a t w h en S pi n o za w a s b u t fi f teen ye ar s
o l d M or t e ir a m ar velled a t t h e b o y s a cumen B y a n i r o ny
’
.

o f f a t e h e a l s o p r e s ided o v e r t h e c o u r t o f R a bbi s w h o i s s ued

t h e b a n a g a in st S pi n oza in 1 6 5 6 .

I n M a n a ss e h ben I sra el w e h a ve a di ff e r en t type of

ch arac t er a l togeth er He w a s b or n in 1 6 0 4 a nd h a d a
.
,

tragic i nf a ncy . H is f a t h er J os ep h ben I sra el w as on e of a

, ,

h undr ed a n d fi f ty Je s w h o m t h e I nqui s i t i o n in L i s b o n w as
w
a b ou t t o c o n s ign t o t h e fl a me s in 1 6 0 5 w h e n M a mm o n w as
, ,

s ucce s s f ully e n li s t ed a g a i n s t t h e p r ie s t s o f M ol o c h A .

milli on gold fl orin s eigh t h und red th o u sa nd duc a ts a nd

, ,

five h undr ed th ou sa n d c r u sa d os w er e p a id to Ki n g Ph ilip I I I .

,

a h und r ed t h o u s a nd c r u sa d os t o t h e s a i n t ly eccle s i as t ic s ,

a n d t h ey bec a me r ec o nciled t o s p a r e t h ei r v ic t im s t h e

fl a mes o f h ell o n earth even if it s h ould en ta il th eir l oss of

h e ave n h e r e a f t e r At th e a uto-da -fé in J a n u ar y 1 6 0 5 t h e
.

un ha ppy J ews w ere p ara ded in penit en ti al gar b a nd

xxvi I N T RODU CT I ON
m ade a f or ma l c o n fe ss i o n of th ei r s ec r e t a nd most s in f ul
l oya l ty to th e r eligi o n o f Je su s a n d of th e Prop h e ts Th e .

Ki n g g ra ci ou sly o b ta i n ed p a p a l a b so lu ti o n f o r th ei r h ein o u s
c r ime a nd th ey w e re di s m i ss ed— a li ve it is tr ue b ut w recked
, , ,

in h e a l th by to t u r e a nd r obbed o f th ei r p oss e ssi o n s by

r
,

C a t h o lic ki n g a n d h oly p r ie st s J os eph ben I s ra el n aturally .

fled a t th e very first o pp or tu n i ty w i th h is w i f e a nd th ei r

, ,

in f a n t son M a n a sse h Th ey w en t to Am sterda m wh e re

.
,

M a nass e h li ved nearly a l l h is li f e H e s ucceeded h is t ea ch e r .

,

R a bbi U zziel a s R a bbi of t h e s ec o nd Am s ter d a m S yn a gogue

,

( t h e H a bita tion of P eace ) in 1 6 2 2 w h en h e w a s b a r ely ,

eig h t ee n ye ars ol d star t ed a H ebr e w pr in ti ng-hou se a bou t

t h e year 1 6 2 7 ; a n d in 1 6 40 h e w a s a b o u t t o emig ra t e t o
B r azil w h e n h e r ecei ved a n imp o rt a n t a pp o in t men t in th e
s eni o r dep a rt men t o f t h e Am s t e r d a m J e w i s h S c h o o l w h e r e ,

S pin o z a mu s t h a ve c o me unde r h is i n fluence M an ass e h .

w a s n o t a gr e a t t h i n ke r b u t h e w a s a g re a t r e a der a nd
, ,

m a de up in b r e a d th of o u tl ook fo r wh a t h e l a cked in dep th

o f in s ig h t Li k e s o m a ny c on temp ora ry t h eol ogi a n s he w a s
.

i n cli n ed t o w ar d s my st ci s m it is true b u t th e r e was a touc h

i , ,

o f r o m a n ce in h is c h a ra c t e r a n d u r ged by a n i rr e s i s tible , ,

ye arn i n g t o h lp h is s u ff e r i ng b r e t h r e n h is v e ry my s tici s m
e
,

w i t h a l l its pue r li t ie s pl ayed a u s e f ul p a r t it p r o mp t ed

i :

h im t o s c h eme s w h ic h m ay i n deed a ppe a r quix ot ic w h ich ,

c e r t a nly b ro ug h t h s li f e t o a n u n t imely end

i i b u t w h ic h ,

b or e fru i t ne ve th eles s a nd w e r e w ell a d a p ted t o be ar f r ui t

r
,

in a n a g e in w h c h r eligi o n a n d s upe r s t i t i o n th e fl a me a nd
i
,

t h e s m o k e w e r e s o c u r i o u s ly i n t e r mi n gled
,
W h a t b e c on .

c e ive d t o be t h e mi s s i on o f h is li f e is indic a t ed in t h e

B b l c a l ve rs e w i t h w h ic h h e h e aded t h e dedic a t i o n of
i i

h is H op e of I sra el Th e b oo k it is in te r e s t i n g t o ,

o b s e r ve w a s d d c a t ed t o S pin o a s f a t h e r a n d t h e o t h e r
’

,
e i z

Wa r de ns of t h e Je w i sh sc h o ol A t t he h e a d of t h e dedica .

t i n i t h e fir s t ve r s e f r o m I a ia h xli
o s To pre ac h g ood tidings
s .

u nto the meek he hath sent me to b ind up the b roken-hearte d .

 T HE LI F E OF SP I NOZA xxvu

In 1 655 M an a ss eh c ame to E ngla nd on a s peci al mi ss io n

t o O live r C romw ell f or th e r e a dmi ss i o n o f th e J e ws in to
E ngl a nd Tw o ye ars l at e r h e r e t u r n ed to th e Ne th e r l a nd s
'

.
,

carrying w i th h im th e c orp s e of his elde st son H is g re a t .

s c h eme s s eemed sh a tt e r ed Poo r p r em atu r ely a ged a n d

.
, ,

f ull of sorrow s h e died a t Middelbu rg in 1 6 57 , ,

.

M a n a sse h ben I sra el w as a p ro lific w r i ter a nd h is b ooks ,

S h o w unde ni a ble evidence o f ve r y w ide r e a di n g a nd ex tra

o rdin a ry indu s tr y H e cite s not o nly Jew i sh wri ters like

.

I bn Gab riol an d M a im onide s b u t a l s o E u r ipide s a nd Vi rgil , ,

Pl a to a n d A r i stotle Dun s S c ot u s a nd Albe rt u s Ma gnu s

,
.

P o e ts a n d lega li sts my s t ic s a n d r at i o n ali s t s— h e h ad a n

,

a pp reci at i o n f or a l l if n o t a l w ay s a very in t elligen t a p p re c ia

,

t i on. And h e r ath e r p r ided h im sel f on h is s ecul ar kn ow

ledge a nd f el t fl at ter ed wh en h e w a s de s cr ibed n ot s imply
, ,

th e ol ogi a n b u t a l s o as a p h il os o p h e r a nd D o c tor
”
as a ,

o f Ph y s ic s O n a p ortra i t e n g r a ved in 1 6 42 h e is de s c r ibed

”
.

as
“
Th e o l og ic us e t Ph il o s op h u s H e b rae u s M or e ove r .
”

h e h a d n ume r o u s C h r i st i a n a cqu a in t a nce s a nd f r iend s a nd ,

c o rr es p onded w i th learned men a n d wome n in a l l p ar ts of

E u rope — even w i th Q ueen C h r i s t in a of S w ede n a nd Hug o ,

G rot iu s t h e f a m o u s st ate s m a n j u r i st a n d h i stor i a n

,
In ,
.

v ar i ou s le tte rs t o V oss iu s Grotiu s e xp r e ssed h is gre at a nd

,

s ince r e e st eem o f M a n a s s e h G e r h a r d V o ss iu s th e g r e a t e st “
,

p olyh i stor of t h e Ne th e rl a n d s w as o n i n tim at e t e rms w i th ,

”

M a n asseh a nd vi si ted h im oft e n Nor wa s M a n asseh at a l l

,
.

in tolera n t H e w a s very f riendly w i th C asp a r B arl ae us th e

.
,

Am sterda m Pr ofe ssor of Ph il osop h y a n d Rh e tor ic wh o ,

w as r at h e r s u s pec t ed o f being a fr e e -t h in k er B arl ae u s w a s .

a n ot ed L a ti n s c h o l a r a n d p o e t a n d p r efi xed t o o n e o f ,

M an asse h s b oo k s ( D e Creatione ) a Lati n p oem w h ich wa s

’

O t hi p
ve r t i t it i i t
s or ra ti g t, t s l t h w rd P
n e re s n g i o n o e , a r e a so e o s e re r

n a n do , Q u ce rimu s , w hic h f orme d t h e mot t o or t ra d e -ma rk of Ma na sse h ’

s

p re ss ; in th e t op l e f t c orne r t h e re is a sm a l l sh e l d w t h a p c t u re of a i i i
i i
p l gr i
m c arry ng a sta ff a nd l amp , whil e in t h e rig h t c orne r are th e H e re w b
word s f or Thy word is a l a mp u n to my fe e t ( P s a l m c x i x .
xx vii i I N TR ODU CT ION
s c arc e l y / o rth o d ox. We a l so h e ar of M a n asseh s pr e sence ’

a t a m e rry g a th er ing in t h e h o u s e o f E p isc o p iu s in h o n o u r

o f S ob ie rre a n o t ed F r enc h w it
, O n o cc a s i o n M a n a ss eh
.
,

would a l so in t r o duce s o me o f h is J e w i sh f r iend s t o h is

C h r i st i a n a cqu a in ta nce s I n o n e o f his le tt ers t o a Pr of e s s or
.

a t Leyden V oss iu s men ti o n s t h a t M a n a ss e h h a d j u s t p a id

,

h im a vi s i t a n d b ro ugh t w i th h im a Port ugue s e Je w w h om

, ,

h e de s i r ed t o r ec o mmend f or t h e medic a l deg r ee It .

d oe s n ot s eem un re as on a ble t o s upp os e t h a t M a n ass eh ben

I sra el exe rci sed a p ot en t per sona l influence o ver S pin oz a ,

w h o mu st h a ve s tudied unde r h im f or a numbe r o f ye ars .

Not th a t M a n a ss e h was c o mpe t e n t to m a ke a ny di r ec t

c on tributi o n tow ards th e devel opmen t of S pin oza s p h il o ’

S op h y . B ut h is indi r ec t influence mu st h ave been c o n s ide r

a ble . Afte r a l l th e gr eat est s ervice wh ic h even t h e best
,

t e ac h e r c a n r ende r d o es n ot c on s i s t s o much in t h e a c t u a l
in f or m a t i o n wh ic h h e imp a r t s a s in th e st imulu s w h ic h h e
give s; a nd t h e l ove of t r u th w h ich h e inculc a te s And .

M a n a ss e h we h ave s een w a s a ma n o f w ide cul t u re of

, , ,

broad symp ath y a n d r e a lly dev o ted to sc h ol arsh ip Wh a t

, .

is m or e likely t ha n t ha t h e sh o uld u s e his influence w i th

S pin o z a s fat h e r s o th a t B a r uch migh t be t a ugh t L atin a n d
’

oth er s ecul a r s ubj ec t s ? A n d w h a t is m o r e n a t u ra l th a n

t h at M a n as s e h w h o enc o u r a ged a n d h elped his y ou n g

,

C h r i st i a n fr iend a so n of G e rh ar d V oss iu s t o s t udy a nd

, ,

t ra n s l at e M a im o nide s s h o uld h a ve been even m or e e a ge r t o

,

u rge h is Je w i sh s tuden ts to s t udy t h ei r ow n Hi sp an o-J e w i sh

li te ratur e of wh ich t h ey w er e ju stly s o p ro ud
,

At t h e h o u s e o f h is Ra bbi S pin oz a w o uld o cc as i o n ally

,

meet C hristia n s wh o w e r e i n te r e s ted in Jud ai sm or in ,

t h e Je w i s h in t e r p r e tat i o n of th e O l d T e s ta men t H er e a l so
.

h e m a y h ave m e t R emb ra nd t w h o be t wee n 1 6 40 a nd 1 6 5 6

, , ,

lived in the ve ry h e a rt of th e Je w i sh qu arte r a nd w a s p rob

-

a bly o n fr iendly t e r m s w i th Th e Am s t e r da m R a bbi

“ ”
as ,

M a n ass eh was c alled F or R embr a nd t e tc h ed a p or tr ai t of

.
xxx I N TR ODU CT ION
h is o utsp oken c ondemn ati on of the mora l l axi ty of a p orti o n
of Am ster d a m Je w ry th a t led t o a s c h i s m in th e y o ung

c o mmuni ty a nd the f or ma ti on of a th i rd c ongregatio n in

,

16 18 . F o r r ea son s a l r e ady e xpl a i n ed s ome of t h e member s

,

of th e c o mmuni t y h a d been R o m a n C a t h o lic s f or s eve r a l

genera ti on s a nd h ad gr ow n d a nge r o u sly a ccu sto med to th e

,

h a bi t o f o b ta ini n g p r ie s tly a b s olu t i o n f or m or a l d e l in

q u e n c ie s R. a bbi Uzziel w o uld h a ve n o ne o f it Like t h e .

p ro p h e ts of o l d h e w o uld m a ke n o tr uce w i th imm ora li ty ,

a nd de n o unced it w i t h o u t r e s pec t o f pe r s o n M a n ass e h ben

'

I sra el a l so h ad th e r epu tati on of being a n earn est a nd .

el oquen t p rea ch e r a nd p r o b a bly p assed on s ome of h is

,

m ast e r s m ora l ear ne stn e s s t o h is pupil S pin oza No d oub t

’
.

y oung S pin oza c o uld a nd did d ra w from th e well s of th e

l iving wate r s ; n o d oub t h e c ould a nd did d raw m or a l
in s pi rat i on fr o m th e p r op h e tic b ook s t h em selves S till a .
,

living e xa mple of t h ei r m or a l ton e c o uld not fa il t o in te nsi fy

his s u s cep t ibili ty to t h a t s pi r i t of t h e p r o p h e t s w h ic h
S pin oz a s own w r i ting s s till b re a th e fi
’ “

Th e s c h oo l cu rr iculum t h o ug h fa i rly encycl op aedic in ra nge

,

of s ubjec t s w a s a l l in Heb r e w
, O th e r l a ngu age s a n d th e
.

m ore m oder n s cience s or th e m ore m odern trea tmen t of th em

, ,

h ad t o be s tudied o u ts ide t h e s c h o o l S p a ni sh a nd Po rtu

.

g ue s e h e lea r ned f ro m his p ar en ts ; D utc h fr om h is e nvi ,

r on m e n t M orte ira w h o w a s a Ve ne ti a n by bi r th may h ave

.
, ,

t augh t h im s ome I ta li a n ; a nd M a n a ss e h ben I srae l s ome ,

Fr ench Lat in w e are in for med he le a r ned f rom a Ge rm an

.
, ,

s c h ol ar ,
p ossibly a ce rtain Je remi ah Fe l b ing e r a man of ,

rat h e r un or th o d ox r epu t a t i o n w h o m ay a l so h ave taugh t

,

h im Ge rm a n Th e s t udy o f La t i n wa s n ot p opul a r a m ong

.

t h e J e w s at th a t t ime I t w as t o o in tim at ely a ss oci a ted w ith

.

R o ma n C at h olici s m a n d t h e I n qui s i t i on In fa ct it was u sua l

.

i i b
F or f u ll e r nf orm a t on a ou t M a na sse h b e n I sra e l see Ka y se rl ing s e ssa y
,
’

i
i n t h e M isc e l l a ny of H e b re w L ite ra tu re ( se c ond se r e s) , a nd L ol f s M a nasseh
’
. W
b e n I srae l s M iss ion to Ol ive r C romwe l l
'
.
 T HE LI FE OF SP I NOZA xxxi
a m ong th e Jews t o spea k of Latin as th e p r ie sts l a ng u age “ ’
.

He nce th e kn owledge of Latin was n ot a c omm on a c c o m

sh me n t o f e w s th e n A ce r ta in M o c h in g e r w r i t ing t o
i

p l i J .
,

M a n ass e h b e n I sra el in 1 6 3 2 c ompl a ined th at in B oh emi a ,

a n d G e r m a ny h e h a d n o t c o me a c r os s a n y Je w w h o h a d

le a rn t even t h u d ime nt s o f La ti n a n d h e g o e s o n to e n
c ou rage Ma n; g se h t o pe r s e v e r e w i th h is L a t i n a n d t o t e a c h it

a l s o t o ot h e rs E ven in Am st e rd a m w h e r e a s t h e s am e w r i t e r
.
, ,

s t a t e s t h er e w e re a n umbe r of Je w s w h o kne w L a t i n w ell it

, ,

w a s r eg ar ded w i t h mi sgiving a s t h e med um o f a w o rldly i

w i sd om wh ic h like th e G eek w i s d o m “ ”
, , o f ol d w as s us
r
,

p e c t e d,
n ot w i t h o u t r e a s o n o f le a ding t o a n e s tra nge m en t
,

fr o m J uda i s m And S pin oza s s ch ool fell o w M os e s Z ac uto ’

.
, ,

t o w h o m r e f e r ence h as a l r e a dy been m de a b o ve a nd w h o a ,

beg an a s a p oe t a n d ended a s a my t ic a c t u ally fa s ted f or s ,

f or ty d ays by w a y o f pe n a n ce f o r his e a r ly dev o t i o n to La t in .

I f th e r e fo r e S pin o a s tudied L t i n it m a y be ta ken f or

, ,
z a
,

g ra n ted th at h e a l so pu rs ued oth e r s ecul ar st u d ie s e speci a lly ,

m ath em at ic s ( wh ic h h e is r ep orted t o h ave st udied u n de r

a n I t a li a n) a n d p h y s ic s b ot h o f w h ic h h e s oo n r equi r ed f o r
, ,

o p t ic a l w o r k a n d w h ic h m a y a c t u a lly h a ve di p o s ed h im t o
,
s

le arn th e art o f p o li sh ing len s e s ; p ro ba bly a l so t h e l a t e r

s c h o l a st ic p h il o s o p h y a s exp o unded a b o u t t h a t t ime i n t h e ,

w or ks of B u rg e r s d ij c k P r of e sso r o f Ph il os o p h y a t Leyden
,

( died a n d by h is s ucce s s o r He e r e b o o rd ( died ,

I n 1 6 5 2 Fra nci s va n den E nden a n e x-J e s u t ex-dipl oma t ,

i
, ,

ex-b ooks elle r d o c tor a nd cl ass ici st o pe n ed a s ch oo l in

, , ,

Amste rd a m a nd S pin oz a w en t t h er e to c o mple t e h is s ecul ar

,

s t ud ie s . V a n den E nden w a s cer ta inly u n or th o d ox a n d ,

wa s st ron gly s u spec t ed of at h ei s m C ol e r u s r el a t e s t h a t .

so me o f t h e p as t st uden ts o f Van den E nden ble ssed eve ry

d ay t h e mem or y o f t h ei r p ar en t s wh o t o o k c ar e in due t ime ,

t o r em o ve t h em f r o m th e s c h o o l o f s o pe r nici o u s a n d impi o u s
a m as ter B ut h e w a s a dmi t t edly a n a ble t e a c h e r a n d
”
.
,

S pin oz a n o d o ub t o w ed t o h im his m ast e ry of L at in a l so

, , ,
xxxii I N TR ODU CT ION
wh at li ttle kn owl e dge h e h ad of Greek th e a dva ncemen t of ,

h is medic a l a n d p h ys ic a l kn ow ledge a nd m o st p r ob a bly a l s o ,

h is fi r st in tro duc t i o n t o t h e p h il os op h y o f De sc art e s w h os e ,

r ecen t de ath in 1 6 5 0 mu s t h a ve at tra c t ed r ene w ed a t t en t i o n

, ,

t o h is w r i t ing s Va n den E nde n a s w e sh all s e e w as a l so

.
, ,

kind t o S pin oz a in oth e r w ay s a nd ce rtai nly de served some ,

th ing be tt e r t h a n t h e tr a gic f at e w h ic h be f ell him .

I n M ar c h 1 6 5 4 S pin oz a s f a th e r died S pin o z a h a d n ow

’
.

t o p r ov ide f o r h is ow n m a in t en a nce H is s ch oo ling w a s “

.

fini sh ed A ne w pe r i o d c o mmenced f or h im
. .

54 . SP I NOZA S ALI E NAT ION F R O M

’
THE
SY NA GO G U E — 1 6 5 4 - 1 6 5 6
S pin oz a h a d a n inb or n p assi o n f or cle ar a nd c on s isten t
th inkin g And th e g reat in t ellec tu al gi f ts w i th wh ich
.

f or t une h a d u n st in t ingly e n d o w ed him w e r e a bund a n tly

exe rci sed a nd s h a rpened in t h e prol o nged s tudy of the
Heb r e w lega l a n d r eligi ou s c o de s Th e s e ab ound in s ub t le .

p ro blems a nd subt le r so lu ti o n s And wh at ever S pi noza .

m ay h a ve s ub s equen t ly t h oug h t of th ei r in tr in sic me ri ts ye t ,

th ei r va lue a s a men t a l di s cipline w a s undeni a ble B ut th i s .

p owe r of penetrat i o n w a s s l owly b ut inevi ta bly br inging h im

in to a n tagon i sm w i th th e ve ry s ou rce s f rom w h ich it h ad
d raw n s tr ength M o re ove r even qui te a p art f r om t h i s
.
,

s h a rp ening o f h is r e a s o ning p o w e r s h is Heb r e w s tudie s ,

p rovided him a l s o w i th a mple m at e r i a l a nd stimulu s f or t he

exe r ci s e of h is c r itic a l a cumen Th e s pi ri t of r at i o n a li s m
.

pe rv a de s t h e w h ole li ter at u re of th e J e w s o f th e S pa ni sh
pe r io d a d th e m ast e r pieces of th at lit e rat u r e w e r e t h e p r ide
* n
,

o f t h e J e w i sh r e f ugee s f r o m t h e P enin s ul a indeed o f a l l , ,

Jew s I n th e c ommentary of Ab rah am I bn E zra ( 1 092— 1 1 6 7)

.

h e f o u n d m a ny b o ld a n d s ugge s t ive h in t s I n t h e Pr e face .

,

th w it A i t tl i M d i
’
S ee e r er sl J wi h Th g ht
r s o e n e e va e s ou .
 THE L IF E OF SP I NOZA xxxiii
I bn E z ra sta te s that h e w ill S h ow n o p a rt i a lity in t h e e xp os i
t i on o f t h e La w a n d al t h o u gh t h e p r o mi s e s eem s b o lde r
”
,

t h a n t h e f ul filme n t y e t n o w a n d a ga i n o ne m ee t s w i th
“
a
,

w or d t o t h e w i s e w h ic h is j u st s u fficien t t o di r ec t a tte n t i o n
t o some in c on s iste n c in S c r ip t u r e t o t h e p o st-M o sa ic,

au t s h p Of rt ai n e s o c a ll ed Fi ve ook
B
hor i ce t h s

of M o s e s
“ W t o t h e di ff e r
e “
t a u th o rs h p o f t h e fi
_
r st a n d ofi

t h e s ec o nd a r ts o f I s ah Th e s e h in t s o b s cu r e a s t h ey
.
,

of
‘
e High e r C r i ti c i s m of t h B ibl e a nd th ey cert a i n ly led
th ! ,

t o S pin oz a s s ub s e q ue n t imp o r t a n t c o n t r ibu t i o n s t o t h i s

’

ki nd o f B iblica l c ri tici sm I n th e Guide of the P erpl exed

.

o f M os e s M a im o n ide s ( 1 1 3 5 1 2 04) h is a tt e n t i o n w a s d r a w n
—

t o ce r t a i n c r udi t ie s a n d i n c o n s i s t encie s in B iblic a l t h e o l o gy ,

r ec on cile w i th th e r e q ui r eme nts o f r e a so n, t hough a pp ar e nt ly ,

in th e j u dg m ent o f S pin oza with l i ttle s ucc e ss A nd M a i

, .

m o n id e s t r e a t me n t o f t h e i n st i t u ti o n o f s a c r i fic e s a s me r ely
’

a temp or a r y c o n c e ss i o n o r de v ice t o w e a n I s ra el f r o m i d o l a

t ry c o uld n ot b u t s ugge s t t o S pi n o z a t h a t o t h e r r eligi ou s

cu sto m s t o o w e r e o nly te m p ora ry in c h ara c te r a n d va lidity
, ,
.

I n th e w r i ti n g s o f G e s o n id e s ( 1 2 8 8- 3 44) h e s a w r a t i o n a li s m
r 1

M a izh ing o n mi ra cle s a n d o n p r o p h ecy so a s t o expl i n ,

a

away t h ei r s upp o s ed su p e r na t u r al c l ia r ac t e r Ma i m o nide s

m

h a d a l rea d y b o ldly a ss e r t ed t h a t a n y p a s s a ge in t h e B ible

w h ic h a ppe ar ed t o c o n flic t w i t h r e a s o n m u s t be so r e
i nte rp r e t ed a s t o be in h ar m ony w i th it Th i s me th o d o f .

“
i nt e r p r e t i n g S c r ip t u r e into c on for mi t y w i th r e a son st ill
”

s eemed t o sa v e t h e p r i o r i ty o f t h e B ible o v er h um a n r e as o n

-t h o ugh o nly in a ppe a r a nce G e rs o n id e s w e n t f u r t h e r

.

th a n t h at . F r a n k ly a dmi t ti n g th e p o s s ibili ty o f a r e a l
c o n fli c t be t w een R e a s o n a nd R e v el a t i o n h e o penly decl a r ed ,

t h at th e Bible c a n n o t p r e vent u s f r o m h oldi n g t h a t to be

t r ue w h ic h o u r r e a s o n p r o mp t s u s t o belie v e M or e ove r ”
.
,
xxxiv I N TR ODU CT ION
e ver s ince th e Ren a i ssa n c e a n d fi m W ,
s it

M F o r ex am
W

S ple in 1 6 2 8 t h e r e a rr ived in
,

Am ste rd a m a J e w i sh s ch o l a r J osep h D e l me dig o by n a me

, ,

w h o h ad studied at t h e U ni v e r s i t y o f Pa du a H e w as w ell .

ver s ed in p h il osop h y medici n e p h ys ic s a n d m athem at ic s

, , , ,

as w ell a s in Heb r e w li t e r a t u r e a n d h e h a d a l so s t udied ,

a s tro n o my unde r G a lile o H e s eems to h a ve stayed s eve ra l

.

ye a rs in Am st e r da m w h e r e M a n as s e h ben I sr a el publi sh ed
,

a s elec t i o n o f h is w o r k s f or h im H e wa s a r em a rka ble .

p r oduc t of th at a g e o f c onflic t be tw een t h e o l d a nd th e

ne w . U n s e tt led by th e n e w s pi r i t of t h e a g e y e t f a i th ful ,

t o th e o l d h is mi n d incli n ed n ow t ow ar d s s cep tici s m a n d

,

a g a in t o w ar d s my s t ici s m a n d h is n o m a d li f e w a s a t o nce
,

typic a l a n d exp r e s s i v e o f a r e s tle ss va cill a ting mind s eeking ,

in v a in t o r ega i n its equilib rium An d to j udge fro m .

,

c o nt emp o rary c om pl a in t s Am st er d a m Jewry h a d n ot a f e w

,

o f s uc h r eligi o u s m a l c o n t e n t s a n d t h e le a de rs h a d t o c o pe
,

w i th t h e t r o uble a s be s t t h ey c o uld Al r e ady in 1 6 2 3 .

S a muel d a S ilva a J e w i s h p h y s i i a n a t Am s t e r d a m w a s
,
c
,

c a lled up on t o w r i t e a de fe n ce of th e imm o rta li ty of th e

s o ul a n d t h e i n spi r a t i o n o f t h e B ible a g a i n s t t h e sce t ic a l
, p , P ’ q

vie w s a ireg b u r iel da fil os ta In 1 6 3 2 M a nass eh ben

m n
r s .

I s ra el publi sh ed th e fi r s t p a rt of h is Concil iator w h er ein h e ,

s o ug h t t o r ec o ncile t h e a pp a r en t i n c o n s i s t encie s o f S c r ip

ture . T h e M a r a n o r e fugee s like o th e r s w h o t h r e w o ff t h e

,

y oke of R om a n C a th o li c i s m t u rn ed b a ck to th e B ible a n d
, ,

t h e di fficul t ie s w h ic h s o me o f t h em enc o un t e r ed th e r e ma y
h a ve bee n o n e o f th e c a u s e s w h ic h p r o mp t ed M a n a s s e h s
’

e n te r p r i se S pin oz a n o d o ub t knew th i s b ook B ut h e

.
, ,
.

p ro b a bly a pp reci at ed th e p r oble ms w h ic h it a tt a cked muc h

m or e tha n th e so lu t i o n s w h ich it offered And if th e B ible .

a l r e a dy p r e s e n t ed d iffi cul t ie s h ow ex tra va ga n t a n d u n

,

w a rra n t ed mu st h a ve a ppe a r ed t h a t el ab o ra t e s upe rs truc tu r e

w h ic h t h e R a bbi s h a d r e a r ed up o n it li n e up o n line a nd “

p r ecep t up on p recep t ! At a l l event s S pin oza s d iffic u l

”
,
’
 THE LI F E OF SP I NOZA xxxv
ti es ,
in so f ar ey t u rned o n t h e n arrow er p roblem s of
as th
t h e H ebr e w S c r ip t u r e s a n d Je w i sh ce r em o ni a l w e r e b y no ,

mea n s ne w Th ey h a d been cle a r ly r e a li s ed a n d p a rtly

.
,

de al t w i th by oth e r s l o ng be for e him

, .

As r eg ar d s th e w ide r p h il os op h ic a l q u s t i o n s it is di fficul t
e ,

t o s ay w h at S pin o za s p h il o so p h y w aS l ike a t t h at ep o c h
\
’

o f h is li f e ; O n e c a n s c a r cely s u pp o s e th a t h is t h o ugh t
w a s a l r e a dy s y st em a t i s ed i n t o a defi n i t e p h il o s op h ic t h e ory .

M ost likely his v ie w s w er e asy et b u t l oos eL onne c t ed and ,

in T the ma i ifi M r t h a n p OSIt iv i n t e n denc And

y e
m
.

th e se v ie w s aISo w e r e in v e r v
J g par e m g s u re xc l u
, i nl tf
t

sive l y s ugge s t ed t o him b y j Jew ish wr i te rs Th es e m or e

fi

.
, _ .”

r b l em e e l ge e ey
M

p h il C S o IiiCa l
p p o s t o o w r n o t ,
a t o
, t h r n e w t h ,

h ad been r e a li s ed a nd g ra ppled w i th by o th e r Je w s be for e

, ,

h im . Th e p opul a r c o n cep t i o n o f C r e a ti o n (creatio ex nihil b ) “

h ad been de n ied by b o th Ibn E z ra a n d G e rs o n id e s w h o ,

m a in ta i n ed th e e te rni ty of m att e r C r escas ( 1 340 -1 4 1 0 ) h a d .

m ain ta ined th at God h a d ex te ns i on a n d th e J e w i sh Myst ic s ,

t a ug ht t h a t N a t u r e w as a nim a t ed M a im o nide s h a d denied I

.

t h at ma n w a s t h e ce nt r e o f c r e a t i o n m a in t a i n ing t h a t e a c h ,

th ing exi s t s f or it s o w n sake a n d C r e s c as denied th e va lidi ty

,

o f fin a l c a u s e s M a im o nide s a l s o h a d s ugge s ted th e r el a

.

t ivity o f g o o d a n d e v il a n d Ib n E z ra a n d C r e s c a s h a d
,

m ain ta ined a t h o r oughgoing de te r mini s m .

S pin oza h ow eve r f el t t h e a c c umul at ed bu r den o f a l l

, ,

t h e s e p r o blem s a n d h e m ay a l r ea dy h a ve been s u fficien t ly

,

influenced by C arte s i a n th o ugh t t o r e f u s e t o a ccep t a ny

unp roved a ss e r ti on s M or e ove r Sp in o a l a cked th e p o w e r
.
,
z

( o n e is a lm o s t i ncl i ned t o C a l l it a gi
”

f t ) w h i ch hi s Je w i sh

p r edece ssors p oss e ss ed n amely th e p ow er of de ta ch ing, ,

th ei r t h e or ie s f rom t h ei r “
il fe H O we ve r .

a dva nced or h e t e ro d ox t h ei r v ie wS ma y h ave been y e t t h ey ,

w e r e c o n s e r va t ive in f eeling a nd c on s e r va t ive in p ra c t ice

, ,

a n d o b s e rved r eligi o u s cu s to m s j u s t like t h e m o st or th o d o x .

S uc h a n atti t ude may e as ily be a ccu s ed o f duplici t y ; b u t

xxxvi I N TRODU CT ION
we do n ot r a e lly e xpl a in it by ca lli n g it b ad n a me s It is .

o f t e n pe r f ec t ly h o ne s t a n d it is t o be m e t w i t h in a l l c r e ed s
‘

, ,

a t t h e p r e s e n t n o le s s t h a n in t h e p a s t A n d a f te r a l l t h e
.
, ,

di ff e r ence is m os tly on e of degr ee rath e r t h a n of kind .

E v e n S pi n o z a s f eeli n g r em a i n ed t o th e e n d m or e c o n s e r v a
’

t ive th a n h is t h o ugh t Th at w as w h y h e c o uld n o t h elp

.

u si ng th e l a ngu a ge of r e l igi o n l ong a fte r h is t h ought s ee m ed

t o h a ve emp t ied it o f it s r eligi o u s me a n i ng A t a l l even ts h e .

m a de n o s ecr e t of h is V IQM a n d h e re w l ax in th e m att er

LW

o f ce r em ni a l o b s e r v a nce s w h os
o t h or t
e e e ic
,
b a s i s n o l o nge r
_ _

a pp ea l e d t o h im Th e el a b orat e dieta r y l aw s o f OTtIiC dCx

.

Judai sm m u st h avebee ns o me th ing of a n o b s ta cle i n h is int e r

c Cu r se w i th Chr i st ia n f r i end s a n d a l th o ugh h e n o do ub t
, , ,

o b se r ve H ThESW W ni e fr o m s h ee r f or ce o f h a bi t even ,

w h e n t h ei r r ais on d étre h a d a l r e a dy l os t it s h o ld o n h im s till

’

h e p ro b a bly g ot w e a r y o f e xcu s i n g h is a pp ar en t u n so ci a bili ty

o n t h e g r o u n d o f a cu s t o m in w h ic h h e n o l o nge r believed .

M or eove th e c omp a ra tively libe ra l r eligi on of h is Menn o n ite

r,

a n d C o llegi a n t f r ie n d s t h ei r Q u a ke r-like s implici ty th ei r

, ,

b r oth er ly equ a lit y th eir h uma n i ta r i a n r epudi at i on of s tr i f e

,

a n d w ar , t h e pl a in dec or um o f t h ei r p ra ye r-mee ting s— a l l

t h i s mu st h a ve t ended t o m a ke h im i n c r e a s ingly di ss at i s fied
w i th t h e ov e r -el a b or a t ed ce r em o ni a l of h is ow n c o mmun i ty ,

a n d t h e c o mp a r a t ive i n dec o r um o f t h ei r S yn a g ogue s e rvice s .

O n t h ep t h e r h a n d h is Je w i s h n eig h b o u r s w e r e b e g innn
, _
i g
TOTCCI s c a nd a li s ed by th i s b r e a c h o f r i tu a l
f r equen t a b s e n ce fr o m t he S yn a g ogue a n d th e r ep or ts o f ,

h is a tt e n d a nce a t C h r i s t i a n p r a ye r-mee t ings e s peci a lly s o , ,

c o n side ri ng t h at his f a th er a nd gra n dfath e r h ad h eld office

iM g g e a nd B a
a d u ,
ru C h him Sel Fha d been l ooked up o n
as a
p r o m i s m g l
“
ig h t o f t h e E x ile Mu t u a l di s t.r u s t de
v e l o p e d i n t o mu t u a l a n tip a th y Th e c o n s er va t i v e s c o uld not
.

unde rsta nd h ow a ny o ne c o uld me r ely o n a cc ount of p e r ,

s o n a l in c o n v enien c e delibe ra t ely ig h o r e divi n ely o r d a ined

,

S ee p . x l i on th e c h a ra c t e r o f t h e se se c t s .
xxxviii I N TR ODU CT I ON
an o cc a si on a n g h e wp g l d t hy s re mg j g a tta ch ed to t h e
, w fl
m

S yn ag ogue du ring h is y ear o f mou rning I n t h e m o n th s o f

. .

S e p t e mbe r O c tM o be r a n d NM ]?f ell t h e a nnive r sa r ie s

, N

m ~ AM M M

Of t h e de ath s o f h is s i s t e r Miri a m h is s tep m oth er a n d h is , _ _ _

mOthCT r e Sp e c tiv e l y H e w ould be e xp e ct e d t o att end

" ’

. q
m h

S yn a g og ue o n th e s e Occ as i o n s a n d h ar dly be di s inclined ,

.

We n e e d nomh er ef of é S e SiiI pr is t fin d h im aga in in

‘ ’
'
’ 'i f

t h e S yn ag ogue o n t h e 5 t h o f Decembe r In al l p roba bili ty .

th a t w a s n ot t h e l a s t o cc as i o n ei t h e r on w h ic h h e w as s een
in S yn agogue — th e an ni ve r sary o f h is f ath e r s deat hw i n w

M ar c h 1 6 5 6 m ost likely sa w l iii j fhere J gaj n Wh at

w

.
,

ex a c t ly h appen ed in th e interva l be tw een M a rch a nd July

1 6 5 6 is n o t ce r t a in t h o ug h it m ay n o t be di fficul t t o c o n
,

je c ture Poss ibly so me of h is y o ung J e w i sh fr iends sp oke

.

t o him o n t h e s ubj ec t of de a th — a s ubjec t n a tu r a l e no ugh

unde r th e ci r cum st a nce s— a n d m a y h ave been s u r pri sed a nd
s h o cked t o h e ar fr o m h im t h a t i n h is view t h e B ible did n ot

W
w

s o u l a n d tl ija t
‘

t e ac h th e d o c tr ine o f t h e imm o , ,

in t h e B ib l e s o ul w i gi -Zi a
f
“

,
a s s imp
“
y sy n o nym o u s w l f ’

Th is migh t h a e led Up to t h e m o r e ge n e ra l que ti o n o f t h e

v s
th e n desc ribed a s u nr e a l a n d me r e p h a n t oms of th e im ag i
,

n at i o n B u t w h a t a b ou t G od w ould be the n atu ra l

.

r ej o i n de r Go d sa id S pi n oz a w as a l so n o t in c o rpo
.
, g la b u
t, ‘
,

ext ended At al l even ts it w a s th e s e h e etic a l vie ws wh ich

.
,
r

we r e so o n a ft e r w a r d s m a de t h e g r o und of h is e xc omm u n i
c at i o n b ut t h ey w e re not re a lly th e w h ole ground— th er e
w e r e oth e r r e a son s .

R ef e r ence h a s a l r e a dy been m a de t o t h e f a c t t h a t o n t h e ,

de ath of th ei r f a t h e r R ebekah ende av ou r ed to keep h e r

,

h a l f -b ro t h e r f r om h is sh a r e in t h e in h e r i ta nce H e r ide a .

n o d o ub t w a s t h a t S pi n o z a migh t e arn h is liveli h oo d ,

w h e r e a s sh e h ad n o t h i n g w h e r ew i t h t o s upp or t h e r s el f a n d ,

o ug h t t h e r e f o r e t o be p ro vided f o r Pos s ibly h e r b r oth e r .

t
-
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‘ fl
w
 T HE LI FE OF SP I NOZA xxxix
r eligi ou s
a n d t o ld

h l aw
’

eriting
'

nh

n at u r a lly r e s e n t ed s uch
a n ded me t h o d s a n d a ppe a led t o t h e l a w o f t h e l a nd
, ,

wh ic h o f c o u rs e t o o k n o n o t ice o f t h e s ub t le t ie s o f R a bbi n i c
legi s l a t i on S pin o a w o n his l a w suib b l rt, r e a li s ing th e
. z
w

m or a l cl a im s o f h is s i ste r s p os i t i on h e r e f ra ined f r o m
’
,
w

t a king a ny t h ing bey o n d a bed s t e a d a ntd

”

a t ve r likel
y y as

a meme n O qu i t e a s muc h a s a n a r t icle o f va lue o r o f w hic h ,

h afi l f fé fil e d ke m or e p opul a r w i th h is pe o ple
h im
’

to ma
’

h ow eve r li tt le s o me of t h em m a y h a ve s ymp a th i s ed W ith

h e r peculi a r me t h o d s M o e ov er t h e r ep ort of h is h e re sie s
. r , ,

o n w h i c h R ebek a h h a d b a s ed h e r e xclu s ive cl a im s ,g o t a b r o a d

a n d wa s duly m a g n ified a s it p as s ed f r o m m o u t h t o m o u t h .

Mea n wh ile S pin o a h a d t o e a rn h is bre a d H e c o uld

z .

h ar dly t h ink o f s ta yi n g w i t h h is s i st e r o r w i th a n y o th e r ,

r el a t i v e a f t e r t h i s f a mily qu a rr el a n d h e h a d n ot h i n g ve r y
, ,

defi n i t e to f all b a ck up o n f or his supp or t F or t un at ely V a n .

denM
E n den r e a li s i ng h is pu p il s plig h t c a me t o h is r e s cue
:
y
,
’

S pin oz a a s s i s t ed Iiiin i n h is s c h o o l a n d in r e t u r n Va n , den , ,

En
“ ”

de n p r o vided h im w i t h a h o me a n d a l l n ece s sarie s at

h ism C u se . Th i s o f c o u rs e en ta iled a Q QL
, nPl ff i b re a C h

W e Je wish die ta ry l aw s B ut t h i s w a s n ot a l l Van

,

d e nEnde n a s al r ehfi ym
.
w

,
k e ch h ad a n evil r epu t at i on ,

a nd h is s c h o o l w a s s t r o n gly s u s pec ted o f be l u g a c e n tr e f o r

t h e t e a c h i n g o f a th ei s m Wh eth e r Va n den E nden r eally

mer i t ed h is ill r epu te is by n o me a ns cer ta i n Th at h e w as
.

n ot p a r t icul a r ly o rth o d ox in h is vie w s m a be g r a n t ed h e

y
kne w t oo much t o s ati sfy t h e r equi r eme n t s of t h e ze a l ots .

O n t h e o t h e r h a nd it mu s t be r emembe r ed t h a t w h en
,

Di r ck Ke r c kr inc k w ooed C l ara M a r i a V a n den E nde n h e ,

h ad t o t u r n R o m a n C a t h o lic be f or e h e r f a t h e r c o n s en t e d t o
’
xl I NT R O D U C T IO N

th e m arr iage B e th a t a s it m ay t h e s c h oo l h a d a ,

b a d n a me a n d S pi n o a s repu t a t i o n did n ot imp r ove by h is

’
z
,

m or e i nt imat e c o nnect i on w i th it Poss ibly s ome o f th e .

f at h ers w h o s ub s eque n t ly e ar ned t h e d a ily ble ss i n g s o f t h ei r

,

s on s f o r t a ki n g c a r e in due t ime t o r em o ve t h em f r o m t h e
s c h o o l o f s o pe r n ici o u s a n d i m pi o u s a m a s t e r a s V a n den

E nden w a s r ep ut ed t o be w e r e n ot s l o w in f a st e n in g s ome
,

o f t h e bl a me o n h is j e w i sh a s s i s ta n t a n d S pin o z a w h o w a s ,

a s y e t t o o inexpe r ie n c ed t o a pp r eci a t e t h e w i s d o m o f d is

c ret i o n m ay h a ve giv en u tt e ra n c e t o m a ny a h e t e rod ox

,

t h ough t I f s o th e s c a n d a li s ed f a t h e rs w h o r epe a t edly tr ied

.
,

t o pe r s u a de t h e c i t y m a gi s t ra t e s t o cl os e Va n d e n E n den s
’

s c h o o l a n d w h o a c t u a lly did s u c ceed in d r ivi n g h im o u t of

,

Am ste da m e ve n tu a lly w o uld n o t k eep ve ry quie t a b ou t

r ,

S pi n oz a a n d t h e j e w i sh a u th or i t ie s w ould h av e g oo d r ea so n
,

t o t a ke a l ar m .

E xcep t by t h e s elec t f e w r eligi o u s t ole ra t i o n w a s s c ar cely

,

underst o o d in t h os e d ays e ve n in t h e Neth er l an d s Th at

, .

t h e pe r s ecu t ed t ur n pe r s e c u to r s h a s bec o m e a t r ui sm it is
s a d b u t it is t r ue
,
I n p r a c t i c e t h e c r y f or r eligi o u s t ole ra
.
,

t i o n h a s a l l t o o of t en a m o u n t ed t o t h i s y ou h a ve pe r s ecu t ed
me l on g en o ugh n ow l e t me pe rsecu t e y o u f or a c h an ge
, .

At t he ve ry c o mme n cemen t o f t h ei r l o n g s tr uggle a g a i n s t

t h e t y ra n ny o f th e I n q u is it io n t h e mu tu a l i n t o le r a nce of th e
,

va r i o u s r eligi o u s s e c t s in t h e Ne th e r l a n d s ca u sed i nfinit e

t r o uble t o Willi a m t h e S ile n t a n d v e r y ne ar ly w r ecked th ei r
,

e nt e rp r i s e As t h ei r f ortunes imp r oved a nd th e n eed of

.

uni o n be c a me s ome w h a t le s s u gen t i n tole ra nce bec ame r ,

i n c r ea s ingly m a n i f est Th e C a l vi n i s ts w h o w e r e in th e
.
,

m a j or it y r egar ded th ei r C h u r c h m or e or le ss a s t h e e sta b

,

l ish e d C h u r c h t o w h ic h t h e R e f or med cle rgy t r ied t h ei r

,

u tm ost t o c o mpel a l l oth e rs t o c on fo r m W h e n Ph ilip I I I . .

m a de a tw elve ye a rs tr uce w i th th e U nit ed Neth e rl a nd s in

’

1 60 h e did s o it is s a id in t h e s ini s t er h o pe t h a t mu t u a l
9 , , ,

r eligi o u s pe r s ecu t i o n s a m on g t h e di ff e r en t r eligi o u s s ec ts

 T H E L I FE O F S P I N O ZA li
wo uld b r i ng a b o u t th at fa ll o f th e Neth e r l a nd s w h ich
t h e S p a n i s h t r o op s h a d f a iled t o e ff ec t S o o th t o s a y .
,

t h e r e w a s c on s ide ra ble j u s t ific a t i o n f or t h a t s i n i s te r h o pe

—
.

I n 1 6 1 0 t h e f o ll o w e s of A m i n iu s ( Pr o fe s so r o f Th e o l ogy
r r

a t L eyde n died 1 6 0 9 ) p e s e n t ed t o t h e p o v i n c i a l p a li a me n t
,
r r r

o f H o ll a n d a n d We s t F r ie s l a n d th ei r R e m o n s tra n c e a g a i n st

e xtre m e C a l v i n i s m a n d th e struggle be tw ee n th e A rmi n i a n s

,

( o r R e m o n s t ra n t s ) a n d t h e ex t r e m e C a l v i n i s t s ( o r C o n t a r

R em o n s tr a n t s ) cul m i n a t ed I n 1 6 1 9 w h en t h e S yn o d o f ,

D ord re c h t e xco mmu n ic a t ed th e A r mi n i a n s c l osed th ei r ,

pla ce s o f w ors h ip an d b ro ugh t a b o u t th e expul s i on of Re

,

m o n s t ra n t p r e ac h e r s f r o m m ost o f t h e S t a t e s B a r ne v eld t .
,

t h e p o l i t i c a l h e a d o f t h e R em o n s t r a n t s a n d r epu t ed t o h a v e
bee n t h e g e at es t s t a t e s m a n o f th e Ne th er l a n d s w a s e xe
r ,

c u te d H ugo Gr ot iu s o n e o f th ei r m ost emi n e nt s ch ol a rs

, ,

wa s t h r o w n i n t o p r i s o n a n d o nly e s c a ped f r o m it t h r o ug h
,

th e b o ld i n ge n ui ty o f h is w i f e O n e in t e r e s ti n g r e s ul t o f t h e
.

b a n i h m e n t o f Armi n ia n p astor s w a s t h e f or m a t i o n o f t h e
s

C olleg ia n t s ec t wh i c h s i m ply decided t o di spe n s e w i t h

,

th e c le ri c a l o ffice a l t oge t h e r a n d h eld m o r e or le ss i n for m a l

,

gath e ri ngs (c ol l egial ) f or p ra yers a n d r eligi o u s di sc u ss i o ns

c o n duc ted e n t i r ely by l ay m en ( Th e Me n n on it e s w i th .
,

w h o m a l s o S pi n o a s t oo d in f r ie n dly r el a t i o n s h a d c o m e
z ,

in to exis te n c e u n de r v e r y s imil ar ci r c um stance s duri n g the

s i xt ee n t h c e n t u r y even o w c le a ly e n o ug h
) T h e . t s o f 1 6 1 9 s h r

t h e t emper o f t h e d o m in a n t r eligi o u s s ec t in t h e U n i t ed
Pr ov i n c e s .F o rtu na t ely e n ligh te n ed s tat e s me n a n d m a gi s
,

t ra t e s ge n e r a lly m a n a ged t o r es i s t t h e pe r s ecu ti n g ze a l o f

th e R e f or med or C a l v i n i st cle rgy B u t n o t a l w a y s ; n or did
.

th e e al ots r el ax t h ei r e ff or ts in s pi te of r epeated d is
z

c ou ra g e m e n t I n 1 6 5 3 t h e cle r ic al S y n o d s f o r ced t h e
.

S tat es -G ene ra l t o i ss ue a st r ic t edic t a g a in st t h e S ocini a n s

Th fie p i t
ve f th R m
o n s ot w
e ( )e d i ti
o n s ra nc e l l ti
e re i; c on ona e ec on

(i )
i i
u n v e rsa l d mp t i
re th
e g h Ch i t ; ( iii)
on r ou l ti by g
r s ; ( i ) th
sa v a on rac e v e

i i tibl
rre s s f g
e ne ss o ; nd ( ) t h p
rac e a mb il ity f f l l i g f m
v e os t to f a n ro a s a e o

g race .
xlii I N TR O D UC T I O N
or U ni t ari a n s, m any of wh o m co n sequen t ly w en t ove r to

the C o llegi a n ts .

Afte r a l l th en t h e dec ree of tole rat i on emb odied in th e

, ,

U ni o n o f U t r ec h t did n o t s ecu r e ve r y much in th e w ay of

re a l t o le ra t i o n .No n -C a lvi n i st C h r i st i a n s w er e a ll o w ed t o
live in t he Ne th er l and s w i th ou t s u ff e r ing in per s o n or p ro
perty on a cc ou nt of th ei r n o nc o n for mit y For th ose d ay s .

ev en that w a s a g rea t dea l b ut th e r ight of public w orsh ip

w as qui t e a n o th e r m a tt e r And if th e U ni o n of Utrec h t did
.

n o t s ecu r e r e a l t o le ra t i o n f or a l l C hr i s ti a n s ec ts muc h le s s ,

did it gu ara n t ee a nyth ing t o t h e Je ws wh o h a d n ot been ,

c o n temp l at ed in it at a l l wh o h ad n ot even been f orm a lly

,

a dmi t t ed in t o t h e Neth e rl a nd s b u t w h ose p re s e n ce ha d

,

been m or e or le ss c o nni v ed at E ve n in 1 6 1 9 wh en th e .
,

Je w i sh que sti o n w as defini tely ra i s ed in th e Neth e r l a nds it ,

w a s decided to a ll o w e a c h ci t y t o ple a s e i t s el f w h e th e r it
w o uld pe r mi t Je w s t o live t h e r e or n ot Th ei r p os i ti o n .

w as p r ec a r i o u s indeed Th ey h ad t o t a ke c a r e n ot t o give
.

o ff e n ce t o t h e r eligi ou s s u s cep t ibili t ie s o f t h ei r neig h b o u r s .

And th ei r tro uble s c ommenced s oon en ough .

A b ou t th e ye ar 1 6 1 8 t h e r e h a d arr ived in Amst er da m a

M ara no r efugee from Por tuga l w h os e n a me wa s G a b r iel (j g
C o s ta . Bo th h e a nd h is l at e f ath e r h a d h eld office in t h e
C a th o lic C h u rc h b u t s eized by a s udden l ngi n g t o r e t u r n
,
o

t o t h e r eligi o n o f h is a nce st or s G a b r iel fled t o Am s t e r d a m

, ,

w h e re h e emb r a ced J ud a i s m a n d c h a nged h is n ame f r o m

Ga b r iel t o U r iel H is ide as a b ou t J ud a i s m h a d b e en de r ived
.

ch iefl y from r e a ding t h e O l d Te sta ment a nd h is c on ta c t ,

wi th a c tu a l R abbinic Judai sm s omewh at di sapp o int ed him .

H e th e r eup o n c o mmenced t o sp e ak c onte mp tu ou l Q f t he _ _ ~

Je ws as Phar i s ees a nd a i red h is vie w s very free l yg g g ig g t

,

the belie f in t h e imm or tali t y o f th e s oul a n d t h e in sp i ratio n ,

o f th e B ible . Th e s e vie ws w er e of c o u rs e as much op p os ed

, ,

to C h ri s ti a ni ty a s t o Ju d a i s m Th e Je w is h p h y
. s ici a n de ,

S ilva a s al re ady s ta t ed tri e d t o c o n trove rt the se he ret ic aL

, , ~
 TH E LI F E O F S P I N O ZA xlii i
b l ished in 1 eplied in
6 23 . D a C ost a r ,

w i th a tr e at i s e w h ic h w a s v e r y c o n f u s ed a n d w h ic h , ,

w h ile a ccu s ing de S il v a o f s l a nde r ag a in s t t h e a u th or ,

a c tu a lly r ei t e r a t ed t h o s e h e r e s ie s f e r t h at a n
. a

ou t cr y
m ig h t be ra i s ed ag a in st t h e
h e r e s y t h e Je w i s h a u t h o ri t ie s e xc o mmu n ic a t ed U r iel d a
,

C o s ta a n d a s a kin d o f o ffici a l r e udi a i o n o f a l l r e s p o n s i

p t
b il it y f m i m th ey c o m mu ni cated th e fac ts to th e civil
,
“

m ritie s w lio t h e reup on impri so ned h im fi n ed h im a nd

,

, , ,

or de r ed h is b o o k t o be bu r n ed S h unned by Je w s a nd .

C h r i st i a n s a like d a C osta f o und h is exi st ence v e ry l o nely

,

a n d in to le ra ble a nd in 1 6 33 h e m a de up h is mind a s h e
, ,

s a id t o bec o me a n ap e a m o n g a pe s a n d m a de his pe a ce
“
, ,

w i t h th e Syn a go gue B u t h e s o o n g ot u it e re c k l e ss ag a i n
.
p ‘ ,

a nn
“

s exc o mmunic a t ed a s ec o nd t ime Aga in h e g re w .

w ear y of h is i so l a t io n a nd o nce m or e h e a pp r oa c h ed t h e
,

S yn a g ogue a ut h or i t ie s f or t h e r em ova l of t h e b a n Det er .

mined n ot to be duped a ga in ye t r eluc ta n t t o r epel h im ,

a b s olu t ely t h ey imp o s ed h a r d c o n di t i o n s o n h im

,
He su b .

mitte d t o th e c o ndi ti o n s — h e r ec a n t ed his s in s pub l icly in

t he S yn ago gue r e c eived th i r ty-n ine l a sh e s a nd l ay p r os
, ,

tra t e o n t h e t h r e sh o ld o f t h e S yn a g ogue w h ile t h e c o ng rega

t i on s t epped ove r h im a s t h ey p a s s ed out I t w a s a c r uel .

deg ra d a ti on And s o h ea vily did h is h umili at i o n w eigh on

.

h is mind that h e c o mmi t t ed s uicide so on a ft e r w a r d s Th is .

h a ppened in 1 6 40 a nd S pin o za mu s t h a ve r emembe red th e

,

s c a nd a l .

If th e Je w i sh c ommuni ty in Am st e r d a m f el t it n e ce ss ary
t o r epudi at e in s uc h d ras t ic ma nne r t h ei r r e s p o n s ibili ty f or
, ,

U r iel d a C o sta s h e r e s ie s s o as t o a v o id giving off ence to

’

th ei r C h r i st i a n neigh b ou rs th e r e w a s eve ry r e a s o n why th ey

,

s h ould f eel even gr e a t e r di sc o m fo rt o n a cc o un t o f S pin o z a s

’

h e res ie s in 6 5 6 1 I t w a s a c ri t ic al p e ri o d in th e a nn a l s o f
.

J e wi sh h istory Du ring the Mu sc ovi te a nd C ossack inva

.

s i o n of Po l a nd en i e J e i c mmuni ie e
( 54
1 6 1 6 5 )
6 t r — w s h o t s w r e
 xliv I N T R O D UC T I O N
m assa c r ed by t h e i n va der s nor did th e Pole s beh ave much
be tter t ow ar ds t h e J e ws dur ing th e w ar N a tu ra lly w h oso .
,

ev e r c ould t ried t o e s c pe fr om th e s ce n e o f s la ught er a .

T h e r e w as c o n s e q uen t ly a c o n s ide r a ble influx o f P o li sh J ew s

i n to Am st er d am Now ev en in th e t w ent ieth c e n t u ry w h en
.
, ,

c o u n t le s s m i s s i o n a r ie s w e s e n t t o s p r e a d t h e G o s pel fr o m

C h i n a t o P e r u Je w i s h r e f ugee s h a ve bee n s h o w n b u t s c a n t
,

C h ri s t i a n c h a r i ty u n de r s imil a r c i r c um s t a n ce s so w e h a ve ,

ev e ry r ea s o n t o supp o s e th at th e c on di ti o n of th e Amst er da m
Je w i sh c omm u n i ty did n ot ga i n in s ecu ri t y thr ough th i s influx
o f d e s t i t u t e r e f u gee s Th e n m o r e t h a n eve r w a s it nece ssa ry
.

t o be ci r c um s pec t a n d avo id giving o ff e n ce t o t h e pe ople of

,

t h e l a n d e s pe c i a lly in th e m a tt e r o f th e m o st delic at e of a l l
,

t h i n gs — r eligi o n Th ey did n ot w a n t a n ot h e r s c a nd a l O ne
. .

d a C o s t a a ff a i r w as en o ugh a n d m o re t h a n en o ug h , Ye t .

t h ey mu s t n ot i n cu r th e r e s p o n s ibil it y f or S pin oza s h e r e s ie s

’
.

S o a t first th e y t rie d t o b r ibe S pi n o a

e Th ey p ro mi s ed h im z .

a c o nsi der a ble a n n ui t y if h e wo uld o n ly keep quie t a nd ,

s h o w s o me a m o u n t o f o u tw a r d c o n f o r mi t t o h is r eli g i o n
y .

Th ey mu s t h av e k n o w n w ell en o ug h t h a t s ilence a nd p a rt i a l
o u t w a r d c o n f o r mi t y d o n o t a l t e r a m a n s vie w s t h ey w e r e
’

s u r ely sh r e w d e n o ug h t o r e a li s e t h a t a h e r e t ic d o e s n o t ce as e

t o be a h e r et ic by bec o mi n g a l s o a h yp o cr i t e If th ei r so le .

o bjec t h a d been t o s upp r e ss h e r e sy in t h ei r mid st t h a t w a s ,

n o t t h e w a y t o g a in t h ei r end He r e sy w ou l d n ot l a ngui sh
'

th roug h bec omi n g p r o fi ta ble Th e r e a l m o t i v e t h at p romp t ed .

t hem mu s t h a ve been t h a t j u s t indic a t ed— th o ug h it is ve ry

likely t h at th ey did n ot r e a li s e it so explici tly If th ey h a d .

d one s o a nd if th ey h a d u rged t h e se p oin ts on S pin oza h e

, ,

w ould u n d o ub tedly h a v e a pp r eci a t ed th e need f or c a u t i o n

, ,

a n d s ilence B u t t h ey evide ntly did n ot unde r sta nd h im

.
,

t h e v e viden t ly mi s c o nceiv ed h is c h a ra c te r e nti r ely a n d th e ,

Th t t h i
a pp h
e r a i wre t f
e ns ons d d i l f m th f t
e re no u n ou n e s c ea r ro e ac
th t
a e v e n so m t w ty y
e en ft w d i S y d f th R f m d
ea rs a er ar s v ar ou s no s o e e or e
Ch urc h t i d t i d
r e o th
n uc ei il p w t p e t g m
c v o f th e rs o a ss s r on . ea su re s or e

forc ib l n
e c o v e rs oi n f th J w o e e s .
x lvi I N TRO D U C T I O N
t he c onse n t of esse d b e H and of al l th i s hol y c ong e ga
God , Bl e, r

t i on befo e t h e e s c e d S
, r ol l s f t he L w a nd t h e ix hund ed
s a r cr o a ,
s r

a nd t h i tee n p e ep t wh i c h a e p e c ri b e d t h e e i n we
r r c s nat hema t ise r r s r ,
a ,

c ut off ex c at e a nd
, u se Ba u h d E sp i no a wi th t h anathem
e r , c r r c e z e a

whe ewi t h Joshu anat hem t i ed Je i h

r wi t h th e
a u e whe wit h a s r c o, c rs re

E l i h h u ed t h y u t h
s a c nd wi t h al l t h
rs u s s whi h a w it ten
e o s, a e c r e c re r

in t h Law c u ed b h e b y d y nd c u sed b e h b y n ig h t ; u ed
e : rs e a , a r e c rs

b e he whe n h l ieth d wn nd u e d b e h e whe n h iseth up ;

o ,
a c rs e e r

c ursed b he wh en he g oe th out nd u e d be he wh en he c ometh

e , a c rs

I n t he Lo d wi l l not p don h im t h w t h n d fu y of t he Lo d
r ar e ra a r r

wil l b ki ndl ed g ai n t t h i m n nd b i ng down up n him l l t h

e a s s a ,
a r o a e

c u se whi h e w i t t n in t he Book of t he L w ; nd th L d
r s c ar r e a a e or

wi l l d e t y h is n me f om u nde t he h a en ; and t h is und i ng

s ro a r r e v s ,
o o ,

t he Lo d wi l l r ut him off f om l l t h t ib e
c f I el with l l t he r a e r s o sra ,
a

c u se of t h e fi m m n t wh i h
r s w i t t en in t h B k f t he Law
r a e c a re r e oo o

b ut ye t hat c l ave u nt o t he Lo d you God l i e al l of you t hi s

e r r v

day
We orda n t ha t no onei unic te wi th him bal l y o in ma y c omm a ve r r

writ i ng no h w him ny favou

, r s no t y u nd e t h
o a me oof
a r, r s a r e s r

wit h h im no b wi t h i n fou
, ub i ts of him no ead anythi ng c om
r e r c ,
r r

p osed o w t t en by him
”
r ri .

Th i s a mi able d ocumen t of th e h o ly c o ngr egat i o n is “

n oth ing less t h an a bl a s ph emy It mu st be r emembe r ed .

,

h owever t h at th e a ct u a l a n ath em a w as a tr a di ti o n al fo r mul a

, ,

a nd ( unlike t h e p r e a mble a n d c o nclu s i o n ) was n ot s peci a lly

w r i t t en f or th e occ as i o n No d o ub t it s h ows a gr e at e r .

fa mili a ri ty w i th t h e p h ra s e o l ogy of th e B ible t h a n w i th it s

best t ea ch ing B ut th e Je ws w h o exc o mmu nic ated S pin oz a
.

we r e no wors e t h a n th ei r neig h b ou rs in th i s r es pec t Th e s e .

a wf ul cur s e s w e r e b u t t h e c o mm o n f ar e w ell s w i th w h ic h t h e

ch u r ch e s t ook le ave of th ei r in s ub o rdin at e f riend s Nor .

w e re th e s e t h e wo rst f orm s of le a ve - ta k ing by a ny me a n s , .

Af t e r a l l s wear ing b re aks no b ones a nd bu r n s n one alive

, , ,

a s did t h e ra ck a n d t h e s ta ke wh ic h w e r e s o c o mm o n

i n t h os e d ay s ? Th e C ath olic C h u r c h exc o mmunic at ed

o nly w h en it c o uld not t ort u r e a nd k ill f a nd th en its a n a

the m as th o ug h th ey may h a ve been m o r e p oli sh ed in di c t i on

, ,
 TH E LI F E O F S P I N O ZA xlvii
w ere inc omp ara bly m or e bru ta l in e ff ect Th e b a n p ron ounced .

up o n Willia m th e S ilen t f or i n sta nce c o n tai n ed n ot h ing le ss

, ,

t h a n a n urgen t invi t a t i o n t o c u t -t h r oa ts th a t t h ey sh o uld

mu r de r h im in r etu rn f or w h ic h pi o u s deed t h ey w ould
,

r eceive a b sol u t i o n f o r a l l t h ei r c r ime s n o m a tt e r h o w h ein o u s

, ,

a n d w o uld be r a i s ed t o n o ble ra n k a n d th a t b a n a c t u a lly

a c c o mpli s h ed it s s ini s t e r o bj ec t ! I t is t h e r e f o r e unj u st t o

, ,

s i ngle o u t t h i s b a n a ga in st S pi n o z a a n d j udge it by p r e s e n t

d a y st a nd ar d s Nor s h o uld it be f or g ot ten t h a t if Jud a i s m

.

a l o ne h a d b een c o n c e r n e d m or e le n iency w ould have been

"

s h o w n t h e w h o le t h in m v e bee n ig n o r ed E li sh a
, g ig h t h a .

b ef Ab u ya h the Fa u st o f t h e Ta lmud w a s n ot per s ecu t ed

, ,

by th e Je ws i n spit e of h is h e r e s ie s Th e b a n aga in s t S pi noza

, .

w a s t h e due p a id t o C ae sa r ra t h e r t h a n to th e G od o f I sr a el
,
.

As i n t h e c a s e o f d a C o s ta a n d f or t h e s a me r e a s o n s t h e
, ,
w

J e w istr a u t h or itie s o ffi ia l t

j
‘

c y
w
c o mmun i c a t ed t h e n e w s of

S pin o za s exc o mmunic a t i o n t o t h e civil a u t h o ri t ie s

’
in ,

o r de r t o a ppe a s e t h e w r a t h o f t h e J e w i s h R a bbin a t e a n d th e

C a lvi n i s t cle rgy b a ni sh ed S pin o z a f ro m Am s t e r d a m t h o ugh

, ,

th e w h o le th ere
me r e a son t o s upp os e th a t th e
is so

a n ath e m a w a s no t a cu r s e b u t a ble ss ing in di s gui s e It .

,

fr eed h im en t i r ely f r o m s ec t ar i a n a nd tr ib a l c o n s ide ra

t i o n s ; it h elped t o m a ke him a t h inke r of n o p a rti c ul a r
s ec t a n d o f n o p a r ticul a r ag e b u t for a l l men a n d f or a l l
w

t ime s .

Howeve r r ep r e h en s ible h is h er e t ic a l u tt e ra nce s a nd u n

”

o r th o d o x d o i n g s m a h a ve been c o n s ide r ed by s o me o f h is
y
f ell o w -J ew s ye t t h e r e c a n be n o d o ub t t h at S pin oz a did n o t
,

r e a lly de s i r e t o s e v e r h i s c o nnec ti o n entir ely w i th th em .

Th i s is evide n t fr o m t h e fa c t th at h e did n o t ign or e a s h e ,

migh t h a ve do ne th e s ummon s to c o me be f or e th e c ou rt
,

o f R a bbi s in o r de r t o de f end h im s el f a ga in s t th e c h a r ge o f

h er esy . It is tr ue t h at w h en in for med of h is fin a l e xc om

m u nic a t io n h e i s r ep or t ed t o h ave s a id : Ve ry w ell th i s
' “
,
 l iii
x v I N T RO D UC T I O N
d o e s n ot f orce me t o d o a nyth i ng w h i c h I w ould n ot h a ve
d o n e of my ow n a cc or d h a d I n ot been af r a id of a
,

s c a nd a l .B u t t h e l as t w or d s o f th i s exp r e ss i o n o f his
n a t u r a l r e s e n t me n t o n ly s eem t o c o n fir m t h e s ugge s t i o n

a b o u t h is p r evi o u s a n xie t y t o av o id a c o mple t e r up tu r e if ,

h e c oul d d o s o h o n e s tly .I t w a s p art ly pe r h a p s a l s o f or th i s

r e a s o n t h a t e v e n a f t e r h is e xc o mmu n ic a t i o n h e a dd r e s s ed

t o t h e S y n a g ogue a u th o r i tie s a n A p ol ogy (w r it t en in S p an i sh )

in w h i c h h e p ro b a bly s o ugh t t o de f e n d h is h e r e t ic a l vie w s
by s h ow i ng t h at th ey h ad th e s upp o r t o f s o me of th e m ost
emi n e n t R a bbi s a nd to c o n de m n th e i n i q ui t y of f aste n ing
,

o n him h o r r ible p r a c t i c e s a n d ot h e r en o r mi t ie s bec a u s e

“

o f h is n eglec t o f me r e ce r em o n i a l O b s e r van c e s U n f o r tu
.

n at e l y t h i s d o cume n t h a s n o t ye t bee n r e c o v e r ed th o ug h
, ,

s o me o f it s c o n t en ts a r e s a id t o h a ve bee n s ub s equen t ly in

c o r p o r a t e d in h is Tr a c t a m It w o uld
'

s The ol ogic o-P ol itzc us .

t h r ow a fl o o d o f ligh t o n S pin o a s me nta l h i st ory H ow

’
z .

eve r th e Ap ol ogy did n ot mend m atter s C u t off f rom h is

, .

c ommu n i ty w i th ou t ki th o r kin h e s tood a l on e b ut fir m

, , ,

a n d u n s h a ke n U n li k e da C os ta h e nev e r w inced H e
.
, .

s eem s t o h av e g o t i n to t o uc h w i t h Je w s a g a i n a f t e rwa r d s

b u t it w as th ey w h o h a d t o s eek h im .

§ 5 . TH E LA S T Y E A RS O F S P I N O ZA S S TAY I N ’

AN D N E A R AM S TE R DAM 1 6 5 6 1 6 6 o — —

Ba n i s h ed from A m st er d am S pin oz a w en t to li ve in O u
,

w e r ke rk a li t t le v ill a ge to th e s o u th of Am s te r d a m
, P oss ibly .

h e h a d s o me C h r i s ti a n fr ie n d s t h e r e w h o b a d influe n ce w i th
t h e ci v il a u th or i t ie s a n d a pp ar e n t ly h e me a n t t o r e t u r n t o

A m ste rd a m a t th e e a l i e st O pp or tuni ty M a ybe al so h e was

r .

n ot a l to ge t h e r u n in fl ue n c e d by t h e t h o ugh t t h a t t h e Je w i sh

c eme t e r y w as t h e r e a n d th a t h is m ot h e r h is s i s t er his fa th e r
, , , ,
 THE LI F E O F S P I N O ZA lix
x

a nd o th e rs o nce de a r t o h im , h a d f o und th eir l ast r e st i ng

pla c e in it .

Fo r h is upp o r t h e h ad t o rely o n th e len s e s wh ich h e

s

ma de— a n art wh ic h h e h a d m a st e r ed du ring th e ye ars

immedi ately p r e c eding his exile He m ade len s e s f or s pec .

ta c l e s mic r os c o pe s a n d t ele s c o pe s a n d h is f r ie n d s s old

, , ,

t h em f o r h im Th e w or k s ui t ed his tast e s w ell en o ug h b e

.
,

ca u se it kep t h im in touc h w i th h is s cie nt ific studie s And .

h e evide n tly excelled in it f o r l a t e r o n h is f a me a s a n ,

o p tici a n a tt ra c t ed t h e n o t ice o f H uygen s a nd Leibniz ,

a m o ng oth e r s B u t it w as a n u n f o r t un at e o ccup at i o n
.

o th e r w i s e Th e fin e gl as s-du st w h ic h h e i n h a led du r i n g h is
.

w ork mu st h a ve been ve ry i n j u r i o u s t o his h e a l th e s peci ally ,

w h en w e be a r in mind t h at h e eve n t u a lly died of c on su mp

t i o n a n d th at h e p r o b a bly in h e r i t ed th e di s e as e f r o m h is
,

m oth e r w h o died s o yo u ng F or th e t ime being h ow eve r

, .
, ,

it w a s a c o nge n i a l o ccup at i o n a n d w i t h h is f r uga l h a bi t s

, , ,

le f t h im s u fficien t t ime t o pur sue h is s cien t ific a nd p h il o

s op h ic s t udie s .

As a l r e a dy s ugge s ted S pin o z a did n ot sta y l o ng in O u w e r

,

ker k b ut r et urn ed a fte r a f e w m o n th s t o Am sterd am w h e r e

, , , ,

h e r em a i n ed t ill 1 6 6 0 O f th e e ven t s w h ic h happened

.

du r ing th is per i od ( 1 6 5 6— 1 6 6 0) we p osse ss th e m ost me agr e

in for m ati on App a r en tly h e ga ve so me p r iva t e le sso n s in
.

p h il osoph y a nd pu rs ued h is st udie s un r emi ttingly At the

, .

e n d o f t h i s pe r i o d h e h a d a l r e a dy le f t De s c a r t e s be h ind h im ,

a n d h a d t h o ugh t o u t t h e e s s en t i a l s o f h is o w n p h il o so p h y .

From S pi n o a s s ubs equen t c o rr e s p ondence w e o bta in a

z
’
,

glimp s e of h is f r iends a nd a sso ci a t e s du r i ng t h i s pe r i od ,

w h ile t h e o pe n ing p age s o f h is I mp r ovement of the Under

s t a nding a t o nce e n lig h t e n a n d my st i f y u s a b o u t h is li f e

dur ing th o se l a st yea r s in Am st e rd am .

Af te r lea vi n g Am st e r da m in 1 6 6 0 S pin oza c o nt inued a

f r iendly c or r e s p o nde n c e w i th s eve ra l r e s ide nt s in Am ste r
d a m w h o m h e a l s o vi s i t ed f or a s h o rt t i m e in 1 6 6 3
, Th es e .
 I N TR O D U C T I O N
c orr e sp o nd e nts mu st th e r efor e h ave been kn ow n to h im
du ri n g his stay in Am st e rd a m a n d wh a t is kn ow n a b ou t ,

th em h elp s to t h ro w s o me lig h t o n th i s o b s cur e pe r i o d in

S pin oza s li f e -h i story Th ey w e r e Pie t e r B a lling Jar ig
’
.
,

J elle s Di rck Ke r c k rin c k Lo dewij k Meyer S imo n J oost en de

, , ,

V r ie s a nd Ja n R ie uwe rtsz
, .

Pie t e r Ba lling h a d a c t ed f or s o me t ime as t h e r epr e s en t a

t ive o r a gen t of va r i o u s S p a ni s h me r c h a n ts And it i s j u st .

p ossible that S pi n oz a s k n ow ledge of S p a n ish fi rst b ro ugh t

’

h im in to t o uc h w i th him B a lling w a s a Me n n o ni t e a n d a
.
,

p ro n ounced enemy o f d ogma t is m In 1 66 2 h e publi sh ed a .

b oo k e n ti tled The Light on the Ca ndl estick in wh ich h e ,

a tt a cked r eligi o n b a s ed o n s t e r e o typed d o gm a s a n d a d vo ,

c a t e d a r eligi o n p ar t ly ra t i o n li s t ic p ar t ly my s t ic a l b as ed
,
a , ,

o n t h e in wa r d lig h t o f t h e s o ul Th e w h o le s pi ri t of t h e
.

b oo k might be s ummed up in th e fa miliar line s of M a tth e w

Ar n old
These hu nd ed doc t o t yr rs r

T o p e c h t hee t o t h i
r a c h ool e r s .

We ha e t he t ut h t hey c y
v r , r .

A nd ye t t h i o c l e e r ra ,

T ump et it a t h ey wi l l i b ut th
r s a me as t h i ne
, s e s .

e ead t hy own b e t igh t

O nc r r as r ,

A nd t hou h s done wi t h fea s a r .

M n g et no ot he l ig h t
a s r ,

Se h he t h ou s nd yea
arc a a rs .

S i nk in thysel f t h e e sk wh at ai l t h ee a t t hat
: r a s , i e
sh r n .

In 1 6 6 4 h e tra n s l a t ed in to Du t c h S pin oz a s ve rsi o n o f ’

Des c art e s Principia In a le tt e r w r i tten in th e sa me ye ar

’
.
,

w e s e e S pi n oz a t rying t o c o n s o le B a lling o n th e l os s o f h is
ch ild a nd de a ling t ende r ly with B alli n g s p r em oni ti on s
,
’ “

o f h is impe n ding l o s s .

ar ig Jelle s w a s at o n e t ime a s pice -me r c h a n t in Am s t e r

J
d a m b u t f eeling th a t
,
k n ow ledge is be tt er th a n c h o ic e
“

go ld t h at w i s do m is be tter tha n r ubie s a nd al l th e th ing s

, ,
 THE LI F E O F S P IN O ZA li
t h at may be de si red are not to be c omp ared to he r h e l e ft ,

h is bu s ine s s in t h e c h ar ge of a m a n age r a n d devot ed him ,

s el f to s t udy He wrot e a b ook to sh o w tha t C arte si a nis m

"

did not le a d to ath ei sm b ut wa s o n th e c on tra ry quit e , , ,

c omp at ible w i th the C h ri st ia n r eligi on S pin oz a seems to .

h a ve h elped h im in t h e c omp os i t i o n of t h i s b o ok J elle s .

w a s on e of t he f r iend s w h o pe r s u a ded S pin o za t o publi sh

his ve rs i o n of De s c ar t e s P rincipia a nd even de f ra yed t h e
’

c ost of its public at i on H e al so t oo k a n ac tive sh are in t h e

.

public at i o n of S pin oza s p osth um ou s w ork s th e p r e fa ce to

’

w h ic h is so s imil ar in to n e t o th e b oo k of J elle s t h at h e is
r ega rded a s it s a u th o r by s o me ve ry c o mpe t en t a u t h o r i t ies .

Dirck Ke rc krinc k w as s even yea rs yo unge r t h a n S pin oza ,

wh o m h e fi rs t m e t a t V a n den E nden s s c h oo l
’
16 5 2

He s tudied medicine a nd bec a me t h e a u thor of vari ou s

,

medica l tr e at i s es C ol e r u s r el a tes so me g ossip to th e eff ect

.

t h at S pin oza a nd Ke r c kr in c k w e r e r iva l s f or th e h a nd o f

C l ara M ar i a t h e gi f ted d a ug h t e r of V a n den E nden a nd
, ,

t h at s h e a ccep t ed Ke rc kr inc k bec a u s e h e w as r ic h wh ile ,

S pin oza was p oor B u t a s C l a ra M ar i a was b or n in 1 6 44

.
,

t h i s ve ry n at u ra l at t e mp t t o in t ro duce a t o uc h of r o m a nce
in to S pin oza s li fe of s ingle bless edne s s is a n u tter fa ilu re
’
.

C l ara M ar i a w a s b ar ely s ix t een w h en S pin o z a le ft Am s te r

d a m for goo d in 1 66 0 a n d h e h ad ce as ed t o be h e r fa t h e r s
’
,

pupil in 1 6 5 4 or at th e l at e s t in 1 6 5 6 As a n inmate in h e r
, ,
.

f ath er s h o u s e h e m ay h a ve been f o n d o f h e r as a me r e
’

ch ild and s o me expr ess io n o f endear men t u tte red in t hat

,

s en s e p ro ba bly g a ve r i s e t o t h i s p r e t t y t a le It is tr ue h o w .
,

eve r th at Ke rc krin c k did m arry h e r in 1 6 7 1 a s a l r e ady

, ,

men tio ned S pin oza p oss essed s eve ra l of th e medica l wor ks
.

o f Ke rc k rinc k w h o h a d n o d o ub t s en t t h em t o h im a s a n
, , ,

ol d f r iend o f his .

Lode wij k Meyer was a medica l p ra ctit i one r in Am s terd a m .

H e wa s a b o u t two ye ars o lder t h a n S pin oz a a nd a man of ,

ve rsa t ile ta len ts H e h a d s tudied not o nly medicin e b ut

.
lii I N T RO D U C T I O N
l p h il oso p h y an d th e o l ogy m a de h is bid a s p o e t a nd
a so ,

dra mat i st lexic ogra p h e a nd s tag e -m a nage r a nd w a s th e

,
r ,

m ovi n g s pi r i t in a ce rta in lite rar y s o ciety th e n ame a nd ,

m o tto of w h ic h w as ( as w e need s ca r cely be s u rp r i s ed to

h e ar) Nil vol enti b u s drduum I t was h e w h o w r ot e t h e.

in t ere s ti n g p r e fa c e to S pi noza s ve rs i o n of Des ca rte s ’ ’

Principia .

Sim on J oosten de Vr ies w a s a n Ams te r da m mer ch a n t .

He w as only a b o ut a ye ar y ounge r t h a n S pi n oza th ough h is ,

a tt i tude t o w a rd s S pin oz a w a s a l wa y s th a t o f a h umble

di sciple H e s t udied me d ic m e u n der t h e di rec ti on of

.

S pin oz a a nd h is a t t ac h m e n t t o S pi n o z a is evide n t f ro m a
,

le tt er of h is w r i tte n in 1 6 6 3 af t er S pin oz a h ad le ft Am ster

,

d am . F o r a l o n g t ime h e wri tes I h a ve been l o ngi ng

, ,
“

t o be w i t h y o u b u t th e w e a th er a n d t h e h a r d w i n t e r h a ve
n o t been p r opi t i o u s t o me S o me t ime s I c o mpl a in o f my
.

l ot in being r em o ved fr om yo u by a di sta nce w h ic h s ep a r a t es

u s s o muc h H a ppy m ost ha ppy is y ou r c omp a n i on
.
, ,

C a s e a r iu s w h o li ve s w i th yo u unde r th e s a me r oo f a n d w h o
, ,

c a n c o nve r s e w i t h y o u o n t h e m o s t e xcelle n t t opic s du r ing

di n ner or s upper or o n yo u w a lk s B ut a l th o ugh w e ar e so

, ,
r .

f ar a p ar t in t h e b o dy ye t y o u h ave c o n st a n tly been p r e s en t

,

t o my mi n d e s peci a lly w h en I t a ke y o u r wr i ting s in my

,

h a nd a n d a pply my s el f t o t h em In th e s a me le tt er h e ”
, .

r ep or ts a b o u t a p h il os o p h ic a l s o cie ty f or th e s tudy of
S pin oz a s p h il o s op h y a s c ommunic a t ed t o de V r ie s a nd
’

o t h e r s in m a n u s c r ip t f o m a n d a s k s f o r f u r t h e r elucid a t i o n
r ,

o f s o me di fficul t p o in t s Th e s i n ce r i ty a n d ex ten t of h is
.

dev oti o n was f u r th e r sh ow n by h is off e r of a gi ft of 2 0 0 0

flor in s t o S pin o a w h ic h w a s h o weve r decli n ed
z , ,
La ter o n , .
,

S im o n de Vr ie s w h os e h e a l t h w a s even le ss s at i sf a c t ory
,

t h a n S pin o z a s f eeli n g t h a t h is end w as d ra w i n g nig h

’

, ,

de s i re d t o make S pin o a h is h ei r Aga in t h e p h il os op h e r

z .

di ss uaded h im u rgi n g th e p r i or cla im s o f t h e t e st ator s ow n

,
’

ki n dred O n th e de a th of S im on de Vr ies h is b r o th e r
.
 I N TRO DUC TI O N
exc hi sion of al l el se ; whe t he r i ndeed anyt hi ng e xiste d b y t he dis , ,

c ove y r nd ac qui i t i n of wh i h I
a s mig ht h ve c nt i nuous and
o c a o

sup e me j oy t o l l
r t e ni ty a I s y t hat I t l ng t h d t mi d
e r . fo a a e e er ne : r

at fi st r ight it e med unwi se t o b e wil l ing t l e t g omethi ng

s s e o o s

c erta i n fo s m t h i ng t hat was y t u nc e t i n

.
r o e I s w f oot h t he e r a . a , or s ,

adv nt ges wh i c h a
a a de ived f om honour nd i c hes and t h t I
re r r a r , a

shoul d b ob l ig ed t o ab ta i n f om t he que s t of t he e if I wi she d

e s r s

t o g i e eri ou
v s p p l i t i on to some t hi ng d i ff e ent nd ne w and if
s a ca r a : ,

e c h nc a u p e m
e, s e h a p p i nes s shoul d l ie in t hem I
r w c l ea l y t ha t sa
p r , r

I houl d h ve t o do wi t h ut it ; b ut if on t h ot he ha nd it did
s a o , e r ,

not l ie in t h e m and I p p l ie d my el f nl y t t hem t hen I shoul d

,
a s o o ,

al so h ve t a g o wi t hou t t h h i g he s t h p p i nes
o I t h e efo e
e a s .
, r r , te

v ol d in my mind whe t he p
ve ha nc it woul d not b p o i b l e t o
r, e rc e, e ss

a rri e v t th n w p l n
a e e f l i fe o at l as t om
o e tainty b out it
,
r, a e ,
s e c r a ,

wi t h out ny ha ng e in t he o d e and u u l p l n of my l if a t hi ng
a c r r s a a e,

wh i c h I h e oft e n t t mp t e d in v i n
av a Now the t hi ng whi h one
e a . s c

mo t l y meet wi t h in l i fe nd wh ic h o f a one may g ath f om

s s ,
a , s ar s er r

t hei r c t i on
a m n e st eem a t h hig h est g od are educ i b l e to
s, e s e o , r

t he e t h ee n mel y
s r ,
i he h onou nd p l easu e By t h e t h e e
a , r c s, r, a r . es r

t h mi nd i
e dist ted t h t it n sc a el y thi nk of ny othe r
s so ra c a ca rc a

g o od . W h e n t h e efo e I s w t h t ,
l
r l t h e s e th i ng
r , st oo d in a a a s

t he w y of my ap p l ying my l f t o an y n w p l n of l i fe ; in f c t
a se e a a ,

t h t they were
a p p ed t o it t h t on mu t n e
so o os il y b t in a e s ec ssar a s a

e i the f m t he one f om t he other I w fo c ed t o inqui e whic h

r ro or r , as r r

w ul d b
o t he mo e u eful t o m ; fo
e r a s I have l eady id I e r, s a r sa ,

s e emed t o b e wi l l i ng t o l e t g o u e g ood f ome th i ng unc e t ai n

a s r or s r .

B ut fte b o d i ng
a r r o l i ttl o e t h i sub j ec t I fou nd in t he fi s t
a e v r s , r

p l c e t h t if I l t g o th o e t h i ng s nd de t e d my e l f t o t he ne w
‘

a ,
a e s a vo s

p l a n o f l i fe I s h u l d b l e t
o t i ng g o a g oo d e u n c e t i n b y it s ve y r a r

n tu e
a r f on wh ic h w
or unc tai n not in it natu e
e as er , s r

b ut onl y a eg d it s t tainme nt Aft e un e mit t ing reflec t ion I

s r ar s a . r r

c am t o se
e t h t if I c oul d on l y mak e up my mind t ho oughl y
e a ,
r ,

t he n I h oul d g i s up su re evi l ve fo u e good Not wi th s r a s r .

o t ea s n d i d I use t he wo d s i
u r o f I l d nly m k p my mi d
r ,
c ou o a e u n

th orou g h l
y F o a
. l t h o u g h r I s a w t h i s c l ea l y in m y m i n d y t I s o r , e

c oul d not t hus p ut as ide al l avaric e sensuous p l ea u e and t he d esi e ,

s r , r

fo f me
r a Th i
. ne t h i ng I s w t hat so l ong
s o s my mi nd evol ve d
a ,
a r

t h se t houg ht s so l ong d id it t u n w y f om t hose t hing nd

'

e , r a a r s, a

c onsi d er se i usl t h
ro n e w p l n of l i fe e Th i s was a great c omforta
y .
 T HE LIFE OF SP INOZA IV

to me . A nd al u
first th e se p er od s we r ra re and
tho g h at i e
onl y y b e du i
o f ve r ri f rat on, ye t a s t he t r good g ra al l y b c am ue du e e
e k
b e t t r nown to me s o t h s p r od s g r w mor ee ei
fr nt a nd e e eque
l ong er.

Th e b ove c o n f ess i o n w as w r i tten by S pinoza in 1 66 1

a .

Th e inne r s truggle bet w een w o r ldly a l lu r emen t s a nd th e

h e c k of th e s pi r i t w a s ov e r t h e n I n deed a lr e ady h is e arlier
.

w ork th e S hort Trea tise w h i c h w a s c o mple t ed in 1 6 6 0 be a rs

, , ,

unmi staka ble evide n ce o f t h e pe a ce w h i c h c row ned that

in ward c o nflic t Th i s c onflic t mu st th e r e for e be r e f erred
.

to th e ye ar s immedi a t ely p r ecedi n g 1 6 6 0 H is l a s t ye ar s in

.

Am st e rd a m wh en h e made h is fi rst acqu a in ta nce w i th r e a l

,

li fe a nd th e str uggle f or exi s tence mu st h ave b r ough t h ome

,

t o h im oft en en o ug h t h e de s i ra blene s s o f w o r ldly g oo d s ,

a n d t h e h a r d sh ip s of p o v e rty a n d o b s cu r i t y ; A f te r a l l h e ,

wa s h um a n a nd h e c o uld s c ar cely e s c a pe t h e c o mm on l o t
,

of m o r t a l s— t h e c o nflic t be tw e en t h e t w o so ul s w h ic h d w ell

in m or ta l b reas t B u t S pi n oz a w as n ot given t o s pe a k a b ou t
.

h im s el f H e li fts b u t a c orne r of th e veil be h i n d wh ich w e

.
,

may w ell c o njec tu r e s cene s of stor m a n d s tre s s du ring th e

per i o d in tervening be tw e e n h is exc o mmunic ati on in 1 6 5 6
a n d h is dep a r tu r e f r o m Am s t e rd a m i n 1 6 6 0 E ar ly in t h a t .

ye ar w e a ry of th e w h ir a n d t h e w or ldliness of t hat c om
,

m e r c ia l cen tr e h e w en t t o d w ell a m o ng un w or ldly f o lk w i th

,

o l d -w o r ld v i r t ue s in a n o u t-o f -t h e -
w o r ld v ill a ge — R ij n s bu r g .

He w ith dr ew f ro m th e ma ddi n g c r o wd b ut n ot in di s gu st ,

or mi sa n t h r o py H e had ca ugh t a glimp se of th e h igh e st

.

goo d of ma n a nd h e w a nt ed t o str ength en h is h o ld th ere on

,

under m or e f a vou ra ble c on di ti on s H e h a d di s c overed tha t.

t h e sor r ow s o f ma n a r i s e f r o m t h e l ov e of t h e t ra n s ien t
”
,

w h ile l o ve f or an o bj ec t et e rn al a n d infinit e f eeds the

“

mi n d wi th unmixed joy f ree f rom a l l sorrow ,

.
"
lvi I N TR ODU CT ION

§ 6 . S P I N O ZA S
’
ST AY I N R I JN S B U RG— 1 6 6 0- I 66 3

R ij ns bu rg is a vill age some s ix or s eve n mile s n ort h -w e st

o f L eyde n I t s m o de s t c ott ag e s n a r ro w l a n e s q uie t w a t e r
.
, ,

y
w a s a nd ,
qu a i n t mediev a l c h u r c h s t ill p r e s e n t a n o l d - w o r ld
a ppe a ar nce v e r y mu c h a s in t h e d a y s o f S pi n o z — e xc ep t a ,

o f c o u rs e f o r t h e c lum sy t h o ug h c o n ve n ie n t s t e a m -tr a m s
, , ,

w h i c h p ass by o n t h ei r w ay t o a n d f r o m Leyde n a n d
Ka t w ijk— o r N o o r d w ij k -a a n -Zee Wi th i n e a sy w lki ng d is . a

t a n ce f r om it o n t h e r o a d t o L eyde n is E nd g e e s t a nice
, , ,

r u ra l li tt le pl a ce w h e r e De s c a r t e s o n c e s t a yed f or a numbe r

o f ye a r s b u t n o w n ot ed c h iefly f o r it s lun a tic a sylum

,
.

Duri n g t h e s ev en t een th ce n tu y Rij n s bu r g w a s the h e ad r

qu ar te r s of th e C ollegi a n ts Th i s s ec t w h os e o r igin h as.

,

a l r e a dy been e xpl a i n ed a b o ve r epudi a t ed i n f a n t b a p t i s m

, ,

a nd i n s i s ted o n a dul t b a p t i s m by i m me rs i o n A n d R ij n s bu rg .
,

o n t h e o l d R h ei n w as t h ei r pl a c e o f b a p t i s m
, Th a t w a s th e .

r e a s o n wh y t h e C o llegi a n t s w e r e a l s o c o mm o nly c a lled t h e

R ij n s b u rg e r s Now S pi n o a a s w e h a ve s ee n numbe r ed
.
”
z , ,

s e v e ra l C o llegi a n t s a m o ng h is f r ie n d s a n d it w a s p r o b a bly ,

o n t h e s ugge st i o n o f o n e o f h is C o llegi a n t f r ie n d s t h a t h e
.

w e n t to li v e t h e r e A t a l l ev e n t s e a r ly in th e ye a r 1 6 6 0 h e
.
,

s ee m s t o h a v e t a ke n up his q u a r t e rs t h e r e p r o ba bl y w i t h a ,

s u r ge o n o f t h e n a m e He r m a n n H o m a n in a ne wly buil t ,

li ttle cottage sta ndi n g in a narr ow l a n e wh ic h h as s i n c e ,

t h e n c o me t o be k n o w n a s S pi no z a L a n e S o me t me a f t e r . i

w ar d s a pp a r ent ly t h e l a n dl o r d s pi o u s h u ma n i ta r i a ni s m l e d
’

, ,

h im to in s c ribe or to h a ve i n s c r ibed o n a s t o n e in t h e c o t ta ge
w a ll t h e w ell -me a n t me ss a ge exp r e s s ed in t h e c o ncluding
s ta n z a o f Ka m p h u yz e n s M ay M orning
’

Al if l l m n woul d b wi e
as a e e s ,

A n d w ul d b g ood o w ll e as e ,

Th E t h woul d b e e ar P di e a ara s ,

Now it is m t ly He l l os .
”
 T HE LI F E OF SP IN O ZA lvii
And it w a s by th is in scr ip ti o n th at on th e a u thori ty o f a n ,

o l d t ra di t i o n th e c ot t a ge h a s been iden t ified

,
I t is s t ill in .

exi stence a nd is still s u rr ounded by ope n fields r ich in

,

gar den p ro d uce a n d bulb s R e stored a n d equipped w i th .

,

a l l t h a t diligen t s ea r c h c o uld fin d a n d t h at m o ney c o uld

p r o cur e in th e w a y of t h ings i nter e st i ng to s tuden t s of

S pin o z a t h e c otta ge is n o w kn o wn a s t h e S p in oza -hues or
,

S pin oz a Mu s eum a n d s e r ve s a s a kind of sh r i n e s a c r ed t o

,

t h e mem ory of t h e p h il os op h e r a n d m a ny pilgr im s bend ,

th ei r f oot s t ep s t h e r e to p a y h o m age t o a p rof o und mind a n d

l ofty ch ara ct e r a n d f eel s ome t h ing o f h is c a lm of mind in
,

t h a t h a un t of a ncie n t pe a ce .

O ne r e a s o n w h ic h p ro mp t ed S pin o z a to s eek a quie t

r e t r e a t w a s p r o b a bly t h e de s i r e t o w r i t e d o w n h is t h o ug h t s

in so me s y st ematic f orm Di ssa t i sfied w i th th e S ch ol a st ic

.

p h il osop h y s till in vogue th e n h e an d h is f r ie n d s h a d t u r ned

,

e agerly t o th e w r i ti n gs o f De s c art e s Th e O pp os i ti o n o f th e .

s tric t C a lvi n i s t s t o t h e C a r t e s i a n p h il osop h y ra t h er t e n ded to

r ec o m m e n d it t o t h e R em o n s t ra n ts ( i n c ludi n g t h e C o lle

gi ants) a nd indeed to a l l wh o h ad s u ff er ed f r om or w e r e
, , , ,

o pp o s ed t o t h e r eligi o u s i n to le r a nce o f t h e d o mi n a n t
,

R e for m ed C h u r c h Th e c r y f or imp art i a li t y a nd a n o pen

.

mi n d in th e in ter p r e tati o n of S c r ip t u r e w a s f el t to h a ve a
cert ain kin sh ip w i th th e C art e s i a n me th o d of p h il os op h i s ing ,

h is p r elimi na r y d oub t o f w h at eve r c o uld be r e a so n a bly

di spu ted Hence t h er e w a s a gra du a l c oa lit i on bet ween
.

libe ra l r eligi on a n d C a r tes i a n p h il os op h y S pin oz a s f r ie n d s .

’

w er e m ost ly C ar t e s i a n s a n d r em a ined s uc h t o th e end

,
.

Wh e th er S pin oza h im s el f w a s eve r a th or oug hgo i n g C arte sia n

is n ot kn ow n Th a t De s c a rt e s wr i t ings e x er ci s ed a ve ry
’
.

p ot en t influe n ce o n S pin oza t h e r e is n o d o ub t wh at

eve r B y 1 6 6 0 h ow eve r S pin oz a h a d a l r e a dy ou tgr ow n th e
.
, ,

f u n d a me n t al s o f C ar t e s i a n Me ta p h y s ic s t h o ug h h e s t ill c on ,

t i n n ed t o f o ll o w De s c a r t e s in h is Ph y s ic s No w w e h a ve .

a l r e a dy r em ar ked th a t du r ing his l a st ye ars in Am st er da m

, ,
lviii I N TRO D UC T I O N
S pi n oza seem s to h av e a ct ed as t e ac h er o r le ade r of a s m a ll
p h ilo soph ica l ci rcle Its me m be r s i n cludi ng S pi n oz a h im
.
,

s el f w e r e p r i m ar ily i n t e r e s t ed in r eligi o u s q ue s t i o n s a t fi rs t
,
.

Th ey a pp r o a c h ed p h il o s op h y f r o m th e s ide o f r eligi on a n d ,

o nly in s o f a r a s r eligi o u p ro blem s led up t o p h il o s o p h ic a l

s

c on s iderat i on s G od a n d H is at tr ibu te s N atu r e a nd C r e a

.
,

t i on M a n a n d h is Well -bei n g t h e n a t u r e of t h e Hum a n

, ,

Mi n d a n d th e I mm ort a li ty of t h e S o ul — th e s e w e r e t h e t o pics
w h ich c h iefly i n t e r e st ed t h em a n d o n w h ic h w e m ay a ss ume , , ,

S pi n o z a h a d a c cumul a t ed va r i o u s n ot e s f or th o s e in f o r m a l
t a lks w i t h t h em T h e s e n o t e s h e w a n t ed t o el a b orat e a n d
.

t o s y st em a t i s e T h i s w a s t h e fi r s t ta sk w h i c h oc c upied him
.

a t R ij n sbu r g a n d it r e s ul t ed in t h e S hort Tre a tis e on God

, ,

M an a nd his Wel l -b eing B u t h e c o nt i n ued t o keep in .

t ouc h w i t h h is A m st e r d m f r ie n d s a n d s e n t th em t h e p a rts o f
a

t h e m a nu s c r ip t a s h e c o m p l e t e d t h e m Th o ug h C a rt e s i a n in .

a ppe a ra nce a n d p a r t ly a l s o in s ub s t a n ce t h e S hort Tre atise

, , ,

S pin o a s ve ry fi r st p h il os o p h ic a l e s s y a l r e a dy m a r ks a
’
z a ,

defi n i te dep a r t u r e fr o m th e p h il os op h y o f De s c ar te s in it s ,

ide nt ific at i on of G od w i th N a tu r e a n d it s c on sequent ,

de t e r m ini s m a n d n at u rali sm S pi n oz a h im s el f fully r e ali sed

.

t h e ex t e n t o f h is de v i a t i o n f r om De s c a r t e s a nd th e ,

n o vel ty of his vie w s eve n a s c o mp ar ed w i th th e n ovel tie s

o f C a r t e s i a ni s m w h i c h w a s a t t h a t t ime t h e n e w p h il o “
,

S ophy begged ie d
”
Jar exc el l enc e
! S o h e h i
.s f r n s n o t t o

be i m p a tie nt w i t h h is n ovel view s b u t t o c o n s ide r th em ,

c are fully r emember i ng t h a t a t h i ng d o es not th er efore

,
“

ce as e t o be t r ue beca u s e it is not a c c epted by m a n y .

”

H e a l s o r e a li s ed t h at s ome of th e se vie w s w e r e li a ble to

‘

p rove ra th e r d ange r o u s t o mi n d s m or e e age r f or n ovel ty

th a n f or tr u th He w as t h e r e for e c a r e ful a b o u t th e kind
.

o f pe o ple t o w h o m h e c ommunic a t ed h is vie w s a n d a l s o ,

begged h is tr u sted fr iend s t o be c ar e ful like w i se C a utio n .

w as a l s o nece ssa r y on a cc o un t o f th e u nr emi tt ing vigil a nce

of h e re t ic h u n te rs
q .
 a ft-
C m o ,
(r um b a/h a

“ A u r el — m fe é d
g

9 7 1-
24 fi c o
f ax c .

? fl m
'
(4 c a

[C onc l usion of i b b iii ]

’
Sp noz a s l e tt e r t o O l d e n urg , O c to er 16 6 1 . S ee p . c xx .
l xii I N TRO D UC T I O N
In th e mea n time S pin oz a s eem s to h av e a cqui r ed so me
r epu ta t i o n n o t o nly w i t h th e R ij n s b u rg e rs b u t eve n a m o ng

s o me o f t h e p r o f e s s ors a t L eyde n Th i s ma y h a ve bee n due

.

t o h is p ar t icip a t i o n in th e C o llegi a n t C o nf e r ence s h eld at

R ij n s bu r g Th e s e c o n f e r ence s f or th e di s cu ss i o n o f r eligi o u s
.

que st i o n s w e r e o pen t o a l l w h o c ar ed to c o me An d so me .

o f th e s t uden ts f r o m t h e neig h b o u r i n g U n ive rs i ty a t Leyden

made a p ra ct ice o f a ttending t h e s e meet ings a nd taki ng

p ar t in th e deb at es S o me of th em ve ry likely c a me th er e
.

f o r f u n t h o ug h oth e r s n o d o ub t h a d wor th ie r m o tive s

, , , .

It wa s in th i s w a y t h a t S pin o z a c a me in t o t o uc h w i t h ,

a m on g ot h e r s J oh a n ne s C as e ariu s a nd th e broth e rs
,

Ad r i aa n a nd J oha n n e s Koe r b ag h of w h om mor e w ill be

,

s a id a n o n And in th i s wa y a l s o S pi n oz a s n a me a nd ’
.

h i st or y m ay h a ve bec ome kn o w n t o s o me o f th e Ley d en

p rof essors a m ong t h em J oh a n ne s C o c c e j us p rof e ssor of
, ,

t h e ol ogy f a m o u s a s th e a u th or of t h e fi rst st a nd a r d H eb r e w
,

dic ti o nary a n d e ven m or e so a s th e a u t h or of t h e dic tum

,

t h a t a n in t e rp r e te r of t h e S c r ip tu r e s s h o uld a pp roa c h h is
t a s k w i th a mind fr ee f r o m a l l d o g ma tic p r ejudice s— th e
dictum wh ich h elped to b ring a b ou t a ki n d of a lli a nce
be tw een th e R emo ns tran ts a nd th e C a rte s ia n s t o wh ich ,

r e f e r ence h a s a l r e a dy been m a de No w C o c c eju s w as a

.

n a t ive o f B r emen an d w h en h is c oun trym a n Hen ry

,

O lde n bu r g vi s i t ed Leyden in 1 6 6 1 e a ge r a s u s u a l t o m a ke
,

t h e a cqu a in ta nce of ever y b o dy w h o w a s r em a rka ble in

a ny w a y C o c c e j u s m a h a ve s ugge s ted t o h im a vi s i t t o
,
y

S pi n oz a Po s s ibly O ldenbu r g h a d a l so h e ar d s ome t h ing

.

a b o u t S pi n o z a fr o m Huyge n s w h o w a s in c o rr e s p o ndence
,

w i t h t h e E n gli s h s cien t i s ts a m o n g w h o m O ldenbu r g h a d

m o ved h a d a ct u ally vi s it ed Lond o n th at very ye ar a n d
, ,

m ay h a ve me t O ldenbu rg a t o ne of th e mee t ing s o f th e

G r e sh a m C ollege w h ic h w a s s o on t o bl oss om in t o th e
“ ”
,

R oy a l S o c ie t y A t a l l e ven t s in J uly 1 6 6 1 O ldenbu r g

.
,

v i s i t ed S pi n oza in R ij n s bu r g .
 T HE LI F E OF SP IN O ZA lxiii
Hen ry O ldenbu rg a s a l r ea dy rem ar ked was a n a tive o f
, ,

B r emen w h e r e h e wa s b or n a b o u t 1 6 2 0
,
Du r i ng t h e w a r
.

betw een E ngl a nd a nd H o ll a nd w h ich f oll ow ed C r om w ell s ’

en for cement of th e N a vig at i o n Ac t in 1 6 5 1 th e s h ip ow n e s

, , r

o f B r emen s eem t o h a v e s u ff er ed I t w a s t h e r e f o r e decided

.

t o s end a n envoy t o m a ke r ep r e s e n t a t i on s t o C r o m w ell c o n

ce r n ing t h e n e ut ra li ty of B r eme n A c c o r di ngly in 1 6 5 3
.

Henry O ldenbu rg w as e ntr u sted w it h th i s dipl om atic m is

s i o n w h ic h b ro ug h t h im i n t o t o uc h w i t h Mil t o n w h o w a s
, ,

th en L a ti n S ec r e t a r y t o t h e C o uncil a n d o t h e r eminen t ,

E ngli sh men of t h e t ime F or s o me r e a s o n h e r em a ined in

.

E ngl a nd a f t e r th e c o nclu s i o n o f h is mi s s i o n s t aying in ,

O xf o r d in 1 6 5 6 a n d a c t ing a s p r i vat e t u to r t o v ar i ou s y ou n g
,

gen tlemen in c ludi n g B oyle s neph e w R ich ar d J one s w i th

,
’

, ,

wh o m h e t ra velled in F ra n c e G e r m a n y a n d I t a ly du r ing
, , ,

t h e ye a r s 1 6 5 7 1 6 6 0 a tt e n di n g t h e m ost i m p orta n t a c a demie s

—
,

o f s cience a n d be c o ming a c qu a i n t ed w i th t h e g r e a t lig h t s

,

o f t h e s cie n t ific w o r ld D uri ng h is s tay in O xf or d O lden

.
,

bu rg h a d bee n a ss o c i at ed w i th t h e lea ding spi r i ts of the

I n vi s ible C ollege a s o cie ty f or th e di s cu ss i on of s cient ific
,

p roblems Th e r e w as a s imil ar s o cie ty in L on d on th e

.
,

Gr e sh a m C ollege W i th t h e R e stora t i o n o f C h a r le s I I
.
”
.
,

in 1 6 6 0 it w as decided t o a pply f or a C h ar ter f or t he

,

f or m a t i o n o f a R oy a l S o cie ty t o c ar r y o n th e w or k o f
“ ”

t h e s e t w o s o cie tie s a n d a n a c t i n g s ec r e t ar y w as r equi r ed t o

,

u n de r ta k e th e w or k of o r ga nis a ti on & c J u st th e n O lden ,

.

bu rg r e t u r n ed f r o m his c o n t i n e n ta l t o u r a nd h is w ide ,

r e a ding a n d e xt e n s ive k n o wledge of men a nd ma tter s

m ar ked h im ou t a s j u s t th e ma n f or t h e p os t fo r w h ich h e ,

w a s a cc or di n gly n o m i n a ted I n th e f o ll ow ing ye ar 1 6 6 1

.
, ,

O ldenbu r g h a d o cc a s i o n t o vi s i t h is n a t i v e t ow n B r eme n , ,

a n d o n h is r e t u r n j o u r n ey via H o ll a n d h e v i s i t e d Leyde n ,

( am o ng oth er pl a ce s) a n d th ence R ij n s bu rg w h e r e a s
, , ,

a l r e a dy men t i o ned h e h a d a l o n g i n t e r vie w w i t h S pi n oz a

,
.

Th e s ubj ec t di s cu ss ed o n t h at o cc a s i o n a n d t h e imp r e s
l xiv I N T RO D U C T I O N
i n w h ich S pin oza m ade on O ldenbu rg may be gath er ed
s o

f r o m t h e f oll ow i ng lett e r w h ic h O lden bu r g w r ot e t o S pi n o z a

immedi at ely a ft e r h is r e tu r n to Lon d on in A u gu st 6 6 1 ,
1 .

“
I t w a s w i th s uc h r eluc ta nce [ h e w r i t e s ] th a t I t or e my s el f
a w a y f r o m y o u r s ide w h e n I r ecen t ly vi s i t ed y o u in y o u r
,

r e tr e a t a t R ij n s bu rg t h a t n o so o n e r a m I b a ck in E n gl a n d
,

t h a n I a l r e a d y t ry t o j o i n yo u a ga in a t le a st a s f a r as th i s
,

c a n be e ff ec t ed by me a n s o f c o rr e s p o n dence S o lid le ar n
.

ing c ombined w i th kindline ss a nd r efi n emen t ( wh e r e w i th

N a tu r e a nd S tudy h a v e m os t r i c h ly e n d ow ed yo u ) h a ve
s uc h a n a tt r a c t i o n t h a t t h ey w in th e l o ve o f a l l n o ble a n d

libera lly educ ated men Le t u s th e r efor e m os t ex c ellen t

.
, ,

s ir gi v e e a c h ot h e r t h e r ig h t h a n d o f un f eigned f r iend sh ip
, ,

a n d cul t iva t e it diligen t ly by e ve ry kind o f a t t en t i o n a n d

s e r vice . Wh atever s er vi c e my h umb l e p o we rs c a n r ender ,

c on side r a s yo u rs And pe r mi t me t o cl a im a p a rt of t h os e
.

in t ellectu a l gi ft s w h ic h you p oss e s s if I m ay d o s o w i th o u t

,

det r imen t to y ou O u r c o nve rs a t i o n at R ij nsbu rg t ur ned

.

o n G o d infini t e E xt e n s i o n a n d Th o ug h t o n th e di ff e r ence
, ,

a n d t h e a g r eeme n t be t w ee n t h e s e a t tr ibu t e s o n t h e n a t u r e
,

o f t h e u n i o n o f t h e h um a n so ul w i t h t h e b o dy a n d f u r th e r ,

o n t h e P r in c iple s o f t h e C a rt e s i a n a n d t h e B a c o ni a n Ph il o

S op h y B u t a s w e th en di s cu ss ed t h eme s o f s u c h m o men t
’

o n ly a t a di s t a n ce a s it w e r e a n d cu r s or ily a n d a s a l l t h o s e
, , ,

t h i ng s h av e s in ce t h en been lying h e av ily o n my mi n d I ,

n o w ve nt u r e t o cl a im t h e r ig h t o f o u r n e w f r ie n d s h ip t o a s k

y o u a ff ec t i o n a t ely t o expl a in t o m e s o me w h a t m o r e f ully

y o u r v ie w s o n th e a b ove -men t i on ed s ubje c ts a n d n ot t o ,

mind e n light e n ing m e m or e es pecia lly on t h e s e tw o p oi nt s

, ,

n a mely fi rst w h at d o you c o n side r t o be th e tr ue d istin c

, ,

t i o n be t w een E xt en s i o n a n d Th ough t s ec o n dly w h at ,

de f ects d o you o b s e r v e in th e Ph il osop h y of Des c art e s a n d

o f B a c o n a n d h o w d o y o u t h i n k mig h t t h ey be elimin a t ed
, , , ,

a n d r epl a ced by s o me th i n g m or e s o und Th e m o r e f r eely

y ou w r i t e t o me a b o u t t h e s e a n d th e like t h e m or e cl os ely
,
 THE LI F E OF SP I N O ZA l xv

ill you b in d me t o y o u rs el f a nd t h e gr e at e r w ill be my

'

w ,

o blig a t i o n t o r ende r s imil a r s e rvice s if a t a l l p oss ible

,
.

T h e le tt e r c on clude s w i t h a p r o mi s e t o s end S pi n o z a a
v olume o f s cie n t ific e s s a y s by R o be rt B o yle be tw een w h o m ,

a n d S pin o z a O lde n bu rg s ub s equen t ly a c t ed a s a kind o f

,

i nt e r media ry .

I t 15 n o t at a l l cle a r w h a t ki n d o f a n i n t r o duc ti o n O lden

bu rg h ad t o S pin o za o r indeed w h e th er h e h a d a ny
, , ,

i n tro duc ti on at a l l An d S pi n oz a w as n ei th e r s o l o qu a ci o u s
.

n or s o indi s cr ee t a s t o u n bu r den his w h o le mind t o a

s t ra nge r . B ut h e h a d ev iden t ly tr e at ed O ldenbu r g u n

gr udgi ngly a n d w i th his w ont ed c o u r te sy a n d O ldenbu rg s ,
’

le tte r is ce r ta i n ly v e ry r em a rka ble for its t one of gene ro u s

a pp r eci a t i o n — a l l t h e m or e r em a r ka ble be c a u s e h e w a s c o n

s id e ra b l y o lde r t h a n S pin o z a a n d h a d been bef r iended by

,

s o m a n y o f t h e i n t ellec t u a l gi a n t s o f t h a t pe r i o d w h ile ,

S pi n o za w a s a pp a r e n t ly a n o b s cu r e o u t c a s t .

It is n ot e w o r t h y th a t S pi n o z a s c o n v e r sa ti o n w i th O lden
’

bu rg tu r ned o n B a c o n a n d De s c art es Th i s is n ot s u rp r i si ng
.
,

f o r S pi n o a w a s a t t h a t t ime ( 1 6 6 1 ) v e r y muc h o ccupied

z

w i th t h e que st i o n o f p h il os o p h ic a l me t h o d a n d t h e t w o ,

a l t e r n a t i v e s w h ic h h e m u st h a ve been c ar e f ully w eig h i n g

aga i n s t e a c h o t h e r w e r e t h e e m pi r ic a l i n duc t i v e me th o d o f
,

B a c o n a n d t h e dedu c t i v e ge o me tr ic me t h o d o f De s c art es
, ,
.

Th i s w a s t h e v e r y p ro blem w i th w h i c h h e w as t h e n g ra p
pli ng in h is Trea tise on the I mprovement of the Understanding ,

a s w e ga t h e r f r o m h is s ub s eque n t r eply t o O lde n bu g w h ic h r ,

h a s a l r e a dy been ci t ed a b ove S pi n o a ul t i m at ely s ided w i th

. z

De s c ar t e s in f a v o u r of th e ge ometric me th o d He f el t
, .

t h a t t h e deduc t ive met h o d w a s t h e r ig h t o n e in p h il o s o p h y ,

a n d t h a t th e be s t f o r m o f exp o s i t i o n w a s t h a t exemplified in

E uclid s ge o me t r y Th i s h a d a l r e a dy been u r ged a n d t o

’
.
, ,

s o m e e xt e n t a l s o illu st ra t ed by De s c a r t e s ;
,
a n d Spi n o z a

a l so n o w t r ied a s imil a r expe r ime n t by c a st i n g o n e o f t h e

ch a p te rs o f h is S hort Treatise into ge o met r ic f o rm c on s ti ,

lxvi I N TR O D U C T I O N
u ing
t t wh a t is now Fi rst Appendix S oon af te rw a r d s
its .

h e w as o ccupied eve n m or e w i th De s c art e s a n d t r ied a ,

much m ore ex ten sive expe r imen t in th e a pplicat io n of t h e

ge ome tr ic me th od .

I n 1 6 6 2 p os sibly in t h e w in ter of 1 6 6 1 — 2 J oha nne s

, ,

C ase ar iu s a s tude n t o f Th e o l o gy at t h e U n ive r s i ty o f

,

Leyde n c ame to stay in R ij n sbur g a n d lived in th e sa me

, ,

h ou s e w i t h S pin oz a w h o a g r eed t o h elp h im w i t h t h e st udy

,

o f p h il o so p h y C a se a r iu s w a s o nly a b o u t n ine t een th e n

.
,

a pp a r en tly r a t h e r imm a t u r e a n d fic k l e -minded m or e devoted ,

t o n ovel ty th a n to tr u t h He p r o ved to be very trying t o

.

S pin oz a a nd c a u s ed him s ome a nxiet y

,
S t ill S pin o a h a d .
, z

f a i t h in th e y o u t h s g o o d qu a li t ie s w h ic h o nly r equi r ed
’
,

a li ttle t ime to m a t u r e a n d a s s e r t t h em s elve s And th e .

s ub s equen t h i s tor y o f C a s e a r ius c o nfi r med S pin oz a s a n t ici

’

p a t io n s
. I n th e me a n t ime h ow ever S pi n oz a h a d t o be
, ,

c a u ti o u s in th e tr e a tme nt of h is pupil Wh at C a se a riu s n o .

d oub t w a n ted of S pi no z a w a s t h at h e sh o u ld exp o u n d t o

,

h im th e n e w e s t p h il o s op h y Th i s gene r a lly me a n t C a r t e
.

s ia n is m th en .S pi n o z a h a d s o me t h ing ne w e r th a n t h a t a n d ,

C a s e ar iu s m a y h a ve g o t s o me i n kli n g o f t h i s a n d c a me t o ,

h im f or t h a t r e a s on B u t S pin o z a did n ot th i n k it g o o d f o r
.

o n e o f h is y o u t h a n d t empe r H e th er e f or e decided to
.

t ea c h h im t h e e ss e n t i a l s o f t h e s c h o l a s t ic me t a p h y s ic s a s
t h en ta ug h t a t m os t o f t h e u n i ve rs i t ie s b u t t o c o mbine w i t h ,

it a g o od de a l o f h is o w n c r i t ici s m a n d a l s o t o s ub s t i t u t e
,

a l toge t h e r t h e C a r t e s i a n f or t h e o lde r p h y s ic s H e h ad .

p r o ba bly pu rs ued a ve ry s imil ar c o u rs e w i t h h is p revi o u s

pupil s in Am st e r d a m B ut bei ng c o nvi n ced by th i s t ime
.

th a t t h e ge o me tr ic me t h o d w a s t h e m ost pe r s u a s ive me th o d
o f imp ar t i ng k n o w ledge h e tu r n ed t h e S ec o n d Pa r t a n d
,

a p o rt i o n o f t h e Th i r d Pa r t o f De s c art e s P rinci ia i n to
’

p
ge ometr ic f or m .

I n th e me a n w h ile S pi n o a h a d been g r ow ing di sc on t en t ed

,
z

w i th h is S hort Treatise F o r a t ime h e p r o b a bly t r ied t o

.
 TH E LI F E OF SP I N O ZA lxvii
b r ing it in to line w i th the c on tinu ou s a d va nce of h is th ough t
by me a n s of m o dific at i o n s a nd a ddi t i o n a l n ote s Finding .
,

h o w e ve r t h at h e c o uld w ield th e ge o me t ric me th o d o f

,

exp os iti on so w ell h e s eem s to h ave decided to start

,

a f r e sh a n d t o d o f or h is o w n p h il o s o p h y w h a t h e
,
had
al rea d d o ne in a me a s u re f o r t h e p h il os op h y o f De s c a r t e s
y , , .

I n sh ort b e c ommenced h is E thics a nd early in t h e fo ll o w

, ,

ing ye a r 1 6 6 3 a p a rt if n ot th e wh ole o f th e Fi rst B ook o f

, , , ,

t h e E thics w a s a l r e a dy in th e h a nd s o f h is Am s te r d a m
friends .

B y t h at t ime h o weve r S pin oza w as a l r e a dy p r e p a r ing t o

, ,

le ave R ij n s bu g H e h ad been t h er e a b ou t t hree year s

r .

t h en. M os t likely t h ey w e r e h is h appies t years Th ey w e r e .

ce r ta inly a mong h is m ost f rui tf ul ye a rs B ut on e of th e .

r e a s o n s w h ic h h a d b ro ug h t h im t h e r e a l s o d r ov e h im a w a y

n ow . H e h ad c ome th ere s o a s t o be a ble t o work quie tly ,

undis tu r bed by f r iend or f o e And for t h e first t w o ye ars .

or s o h is h ope s w e r e r e a li s ed B u t g ra du a lly a s h is ci r cle

.
,

o f fr iend s a n d a cqu a in t a nce s ex t ended m or e a n d m o r e o f ,

h is t ime w as ta ke n up by th em a n d ta ken aw a y f r o m h is
“

w or k . H e t h er e for e decided t o r em ove fro m t h er e t o

Vo or bu rg ne ar th e H ague H e le ft Rij n s bu rg in Ap ril
, .

1 66 3 b u t be fo r e g o ing t o V o o r bu rg h e w a n ted t o s e e his

, , ,

o l d f r ie n d s a ga in a n d w en t a cc or di n gly t o Am s t e r d a m
, ,

wh e r e h e sta yed a b o u t t w o m o n th s W h ile on th i s vi s i t to .

Am st e rda m h e sh ow ed to h is fr iend s h is E uclidea n ver si on

o f De s c a r t e s P rincipia Part I I ar ig Jelle s L de ij k
’

J , o w .
,

Meye r a nd oth e r C a rt e si a n fr iend s of h is th er eupo n p e r

,

su a d e d h im to d o th e s a me w i th th e fi rs t p a r t o f t h e P rinci ia
p .

H e did so in a fortnig h t a n d c o n s en t ed t o th ei r public at i on

, ,

t oge th e r wi th h is o w n M eta physic a t Thoughts o n c o ndi t i o n ,

t hat Meye r r evi s ed t h e wh o le w or k imp ro ving it s p h r as e ,

o l ogy w h e r e nece s s ar y a n d a dding a p re f a ce t o expl a in t h a t

,

S pin o za wa s f a r f ro m being in en t i r e a gr ee me nt w i th th e
C artes i a n p h il os op h y even a s t h u s m o ulded in t h e E uclidea n
,
lxviii I N T RO D U C T I O N
m o uld Th i s w a s r e a dily d o ne a n d t h e w ork a pp e ar ed soo n
.
,

afte rw ards I t w a s publi s h ed by R ie u w e r t s z

. Meye r w r ote
t h e Pr e fa c e a n d t h i s w a s f o ll ow ed by a p o em A d Librnm
, ,

c o m p os ed by J [ oh a n n es ] B [ ou wm e is te r ] M D Meye r s , . .
,
’

o lde s t a n d be s t f r ie n d I t w a s th e o nly b oo k t o a ppe a r

”
.

in S pin o a s li f e t ime w i th h is n a me o n it S pi n oza ( it

z
’
.

s h o uld be n o t ed a t o n c e h e r e h a d n o delu s i o n s a b o u t t h e
)
a b s olu t e c o ge n cy o f t h e ge o me t r ic met h o d F o r in his .

v e r y fi r s t public a t i o n h e exp ounded a nd de f ended more

geometric o a s y s t em o f p h il oso p h y w i t h w h ic h h e did n ot
a gr ee .

§ 7 S
. P IN O ZA S ’
ST AY IN V O O R B U RG- 166
3
— r6
7o

I n Ju n e 1 6 6 3 S pin oz a arr ived in V oorbu rg a n d to ok up

h is l o dg i ng s in t h e Kerkl a a n at t h e h ou s e of a p a in t e r w h o s e
,

n a me w as D a nie ] Tyd e m a nn Th o ugh li tt le m or e tha n h al f

.

a n h o u r s w a lk f r o m t h e H a gue th e v ill a ge o f V o or bu rg w a s
’ '

a t t h a t t ime a l m o s t a s i s o l a t ed a s R ij n s bu rg a n d t h e r e w e r e ,

t ime s w h en it to ok S pin oz a a w eek a n d m or e t o g e t a le t t e r

t o o r f r o m th e H a gue Du ri ng t h e next tw o ye ars or so h e
.

w as bu s ily at w or k o n his E thics B u t h e f o und t i m e a l s o t o

.

keep up a fa i r ly e xte ns i v e c orr esp o ndence w ith ol d f r iends ,

t o m ake n e w f r ie n d s a nd t o p a y o cc a s i o n a l v i s i t s t o o th er
,

t o w n s In t h e w i n te r o f 1 66 3 4 h e r e t u r ned t o R ij n s bu r g f o r
.
—

a b o u t t wo m o n th s in t h e f o ll ow ing w i n t e r ( 1 6 6 4— 5 ) h e s eem s
t o h a ve vi s i t ed ei th e r t h e s i s t e r or t h e b roth e r o f S im o n de
Vrie s at S ch ied a m ; in t h e f oll ow ing Ap ril ( 1 6 6 5 ) h e vi s i ted h is
,

o l d f r iend s in Am ste r d a m h e a l so m a de f r equen t e xcu rs i o n s

t o t h e H ague w h e re h e w as w o n t t o stay w i th a ce rta in M e sa c h
,

T y d e ma nn p oss ibly a b roth e r of h is V o or bu rg l a ndl ord

, .

If S pin oz a f o und V oo r bu r g ra t h e r l onely a t fi r s t c o ndi t i o n s ,

c hanged soo n en ough s o t h a t h e c ompl a ined that h e w as

,

s c a r cely h is o w n m a st e r s o mu c h o f h is t i m e w a s t aken up
,
l xx I N T RO D UC T I O N

gra ph y Th i s in t er e st in len s es may ha ve led to his s eeki ng

.

a n d m a king th e a cqu a in ta nce of Huygen s a n d t h r oug h him

, , ,

o f S pin oz a We h a ve j u s t s een h ow a nxi ou s C hr i st ia n

.

H uygen s w as le st Hu dd e sh ould le ar n f rom S pin oza m ore

t h a n Huyge n s c ar ed t h at h e sh ould kn ow H a ddo m or e
.
,

o ve r unlike Huygen s w a s a l s o kee n ly in t e r e s t ed in p r o blem s

, ,

o f r eligi o u s p h il os op h y a n d w e s t ill h a ve t hr ee le t t er s w h ic h
,

S pin oza a dd r e ss ed t o h im o n th e s ubjec t o f Go d s uni ty

’
.

H ud d e ver y likely in tro duced S pin o z a t o s o me o f h is fr iend s

in the p oli t ic al sp h e r e a nd w a s n o d oub t in s tr umen tal in
, , ,

p ro cu ring f or S pin oza th at p rotect i on a nd p atr on age the

des i r e for wh ich was p oss ibly one o f th e ch ie f r e as on s w h y
S pin oza h a d c o me t o li ve ne ar t h e H a gue .

Wh en S pin oz a gave h is c on s en t to th e publicati o n of h is

ve rs io n of Descar te s Principia h e h a d a s peci a l obj ec t in
’
,

vie w Th i s objec t h e expl a i n ed clea r ly in h is le t ter to O lde n

.

bu rg in th e l at te r p a r t of July 1 6 6 3
,
It ma y be [ h e w r i t e s ]
.

t h at o n th i s o cc as i o n s o me of th o s e w ho o ccupy th e h ig h e s t
p ost s in my f a th er l a nd ma y be f ound de s irou s of s eeing my
oth e r wr i t ing s w h ic h I d o a ck n ow le d ge a s exp re s s ing my
,

views th ey w ill th en e nable me t o publi sh th em w i th ou t an y

r i s k o f vi ol a t ing t h e civil l aw .S h o uld t h i s in d e e d ~o c c u r
, , ,

t h en I sh a ll n o d oub t publi sh s o me th ing immedi at ely ; b u t

, ,

if n o t t h en I w ill ra th e r be s ilen t t h a n o b tr ude my o pini o n s

,

o n men a g a in st t h e w i sh e s o f my c ou n tr y a n d s o incu r t h ei r
,

h ost ili ty W h at exa ct ly S pin oz a mea n t to publi sh i mme

”
.

d iate l y is n o t qui t e ce r ta in — p oss ibly th e S hort Treatise ,

m or e likely th e fi rst b ook of h is E thics or th e wh ole of it

,

wh ic h h e may h ave h o ped t o c o mple t e in th e ne ar f u t u r e .

At a l l even t s it is cle a r t h a t S pin o z a wa s a nxi o u s to enli st

th e symp ath y of s o me of t h os e w h o h eld th e r ein s of
governmen t a nd H u d d e w as j us t th e ma n to h elp him H e
,
.

p ro ba bly in troduced him t o C oe nraad van B euningen an ,

ex-B u rgom a ste r of Am ste r dam a nd some time dipl om atic

,

envoy of the Ne th er l a nd s at th e C ou rts of Fra nce a nd

 THE LI F E OF SP IN O ZA lxxi
Sw eden Va n B e u ningen w as f riendly toward s th e J e ws a nd
.
,

w h en L o ui s XI V r em a r ked to h im t h a t it w as s c a nd al ou s
.

t h a t t h e Du tc h sh o uld t o le ra t e t h e Je ws h e r eplied : ,
Is
n ot t h e f a c t th at G o d h im s el f h as n o t de s t r o yed th em a p roo f

t h at H e w a n ts t h em t o be t o le ra t ed in t h e w or ld ? And
s ince a l l o th e r c o u n t r ie s ex pel t h em a n d y e t th ey mu s t
,

live s ome w h er e it c a n n ot be u ngo dly th at Am ste r d a m

,

a t le ast sh o uld r eceive t h em B u t m ost imp o rt a n t o f a l l

.

w as S pi n o z a s i n t r o duc t i o n t o Ja n de Wi t t t h e G ra nd Pe n
’

s ion a ry o f H o ll a nd o f w h o m m or e w ill be s a id p r e s en t ly
,
.

S pi n oza w a s g ra du a l l y being dr a w n in t o t h e t u r bule n t

cu rr en t o f c o n t emp o rary p oli ti c s In th e me a nt ime h ow
.
,

eve r h e wa s m a ki ng p rogre ss w i th h is E thics r eceiving c a ll s

, ,

f rom ol d f riend s a n d di s t i n gui sh ed s tr a nge rs a n d c orr e ,

s p o n din g w i t h a l l s or t s a n d c o n di t i o n s .

O lde n bu rg s fi rs t l tt e r t o S pin oz a w h ic h w as ci t ed a b o ve
’
e , ,

w as f o ll ow ed by a c o r di a l a nd r egul ar c orr e s p o ndence Th e .

Roya l S o c ie t y of w h ic h O ldenbu r g w a s t h e a c ting s ecr etar y

, ,

h a d ( as S pin o z a w a s duly in f o r med ) r eceived it s r oy a l c h art e r

f ro m C h a r le s I I in 1 6 6 2 a n d w a s g o i n g f ull s a il o n its c ou rs e
.
,

o f s cien t ifi c expl ora t i o n Its a mbi tio n was n oth i ng le ss

.

t h a n (t o u se O ldenbu rg s b o ld p h ra s e ) t o ta ke th e w h o le
’ “

unive rs e to ta sk an d its ve rsa tile c os m o p oli ta n s ec r eta ry

,
”

s p ar ed n o p a i n s t o publi sh its d o ing s t o t h e w o r ld a n d t o ,

ga th e r al l t h e l ate st s cie nt ific ne ws a nd g oss ip from th e fou r

c orne rs of th e ea rth S pi n oza th u s h e ard from O ldenbur g al l
.

th a t w as d o ne in E n gl a nd f o r t h e a dva ncemen t of s cience ,

a l s o f r equen t kind me s s a ge s f r o m R o be r t B oyle w h o h ow , ,

eve r neve r c o nde s cended to w r i t e h ims el f to th e od d

,
“

p h il osop h er th o ugh h e s en t h im h is wr i tings a nd invi ted

,

h is c r i t ici s m s a nd r eplied t o t h em t h rough O ldenbur g

, .

S pi n oza al so s en t wh at ne ws h e c ould e speci a lly a b ou t ,

H uygen s O ccas i o n a lly w e h e ar ech oe s of c ont emp ora ry

.

even ts in oth er th a n pu r ely scien tific s p h e res O ldenbu rg .

compl ain s a b ou t the Pl a gue wh ic h was raging in Lond on

lxxii I N T R O D UC T I O N
du r ing 1 6 6 5 an d ser i o us ly h inde r ed th e w ork of th e R oya l
,

S o c ie ty He m orali s es on th e i nh um a nity of w a rfar e

.
,

d prop os o f t h e w ar th at w a s being w a ge d be tw een E ngl a n d

a n d H o l l a nd in t h e s a m e ye a r . And h e w a nts to k n ow w h at
S pi n o a a n d a l s o th e J e w s o f Ams te r d a m th ink of t h e
z

r um ou r w h ic h is o n e ve r yb ody s lip s h e r e t h a t t h e J e w s
’

a r e a b o u t to r e t u r n t o Pa le s t ine Th i s h a d r e fe r ence t o
”
.

th e e s c a p a de s of t h e imp ost or S a b b a t a i Zevi w h o beg a n ,

a s a p s eud o -Me s s i a h a n d ended a s a n a p o s t a t e b u t w h o s e ,

p re te n c e s a ided by th e i n cessa nt s u ff eri ngs o f th e Jew s

, ,

deceived f or a t ime even th e Am st er d a m J ew s w h os e o pini o n ,

O lde n bu r g w a s cu ri o u s t o kn o w— p r a ye r s bei n g o ff e r ed up
in th e Am st er da m S y nagogue f or th e Ki n g Me s si ah a n d
“
,
”

s o me n e w p ra ye r- b o oks bei ng d a ted th e ye a r o ne o f th e

“

Me ss i ah I I t w o uld be i nt er est i ng t o k now w h a t S pi n oza

t h o ugh t a b o u t th i s t ra gi c o medy
-
. B u t ju st a t th i s p o i nt t h e
c o rr e sp o n de n ce bet w ee n S pi n oza a n d O ldenbu r g c o mes t o
a n a b r up t end Th e n e xt le tt e r bet ween th e m a t le as t o f
.
,

t h os e wh ic h ar e s t ill exta n t was wr it te n s om e t e n ye a r s l a t er

, ‘
.

Po ss ibly th e r e w e r e o th e r le t te rs o r it m a y be t h a t t h e Gr e a t
,

Fi r e of L ond o n in 1 6 6 6 a n d th e c on t inued war be t wee n

E n gl a n d a n d H o ll a n d ( in w h ic h B r e m e n O ldenbu r g s n at i v e
’
“

ci t y s ided w i th E ngl a n d ) m a de f u rth e r c orr esp o ndence

,

imp r a c tic a ble for a t ime ; w h ile in 1 6 6 7 O ldenbu rg wa s

a c tu a lly imp r i s o n ed in t h e To w e r of L o nd o n c h a r ged w i t h ,
“
dan ger o u s pl a n s a n d p ra ct ice s th e vaguenes s of wh ich
,
”

sugge s t s t h a t it w a s s imply h is v a s t f o r eig n c orr e s p o ndence

th a t h a d m a de h im a n o bj ec t o f s u s pi c i o n t o a ki n g wh o
w a s t o o muc h of a n a dep t a t i ntr igue n ot t o s u sp e c t eve r y
b ody an d to a gove rn men t w h ic h h ad n o a pp r eci at i o n of
,

t a ken t o t a s k th e w h ole uni v e rs e

”
a man wh o had “
.

O ldenbu r g w a s eve n t u a lly r eleas ed b u t h is s a d expe riences

h a d m a de h im nerv o u s a n d ci r cum spec t a s w e s h a ll s e e , .

Am on g oth er c orr es p o ndence th at w i th Willi a m va n

,

B l ye n b e rg h is n ot e wort h y a t o nce as a st udy in c r os s-p u r

 TH E LI F E OF SP I N O ZA lxxiii
p os es ,
when pe ople a rgue f ro m tota lly di ff e r en t sta ndp o in ts ,

a nd a l s o a s illu s tra ting t h e p a t ience o f S pi n oz a B l ye n .

bergh a me rc h a nt of D or d rec h t h a d r ea d S pin oz a s ve rs i o n

, ,
’

of De sc a rtes P rincipia s e ve ra l t ime s w i th ple asu r e a n d

’

p ro fit as h e i nf or med S pi n oz a B ut finding ce rtain diffi

, .

c u l t ie s in t h a t b o o k h e ve n tu r ed t o as k S pin o z a ( in a le tt e r

da ted De c ember 1 6 6 4) f or f urth er expl a nati o n s a s su r ing ,

h im at th e s a me t ime th at his que s ti o n s w e r e p ro mp t ed by

, ,

n o o th e r m o t i v e t h a n t h e de s i r e f o r t r u t h a s h e w a s n ot
’

depe n den t on a ny p r of e ssi o n s upp ort i n g h im s el f by h one st

,

me rch a n di s e a n d s imply devo ti ng h is lei s u r e t o p roblems

,

o f r eligi o u s p h il o s o p h y S pi n oz a t h o ug h t t h a t h e r e w a s a
.

m a n a f t e r his o w n h e a rt a n d gl a dly h as t ened t o de a l w i t h

,

h is di fficul t ie s Th e s e di fficul t ie s t u r ned c h iefly o n t h e

.

p r o blem of evil— G od s r e s p on s ibili ty for th e exi st ence of

’

evil a n d th e app a r en t r educt i o n of goo d a n d evil t o th e

,

s a me m or a l level o n t h e vie w s o f S pin o z a

,
I n th e c o u rs e .

o f his le n g t h y a n d ra t h e r garr ul o u s epi s t le s B l e n b e rg h m a de

y
it qui t e cle a r t h at h e f o ll o w ed b o th R e aso n a n d R evel at i on ,

b u t th at w h e n eve r th e s e c onflic ted t h e n t h e S c r ip t u r e s h a d

p r ecedence o ve r R e a s o n Fr o m s uch a sta ndp oin t of .
,

c ou r s e t h e c orr e sp o ndence w as b ound to be f u t ile f ro m th e

,

fi rst b u t S pin oza dea l t m ost p at ien t ly a nd gen t ly w i th

,

B l ye n b e r g h a s l o ng a s h um a n p a t ience c o uld e n du r e it
, ,

a n d b r o ugh t th e c o rr e s p o ndence t o a cl o s e in Ju n e 1 6 6 5 .

I n due c o u r s e B l y e n b e r g h r equi t ed S pin oz a s l o ng s u ff e r i n g

’

by wr i t ing r e f u tat i o n s of his Tra ctatus Theol ogic o-P ol itica s

'
“

a n d his E thica f or t h e deep t h o ug h ts o f w h ic h h e c ould

,

de s ign n o h olier or igin th a n H ell I

F rom on e of S pin o a s le tters wr i tt en in June 1 6 6 5 it
z
’
, ,

a ppe a rs t h a t by th a t t ime h is E thic s h a d a dv a nced a s f a r a s

, ,

t h e end o f w h a t is n ow th e f ou r th b ook a n d th at S pin oz a ,

expec t ed to fini sh it sh or tly I n a le tte r h o w ever wh ich .

, ,

O ldenbu r g w r o t e t o S pin oz a in S ep t embe r of t h e s a me ye a r

‘

h e r em a rks j e s t ingly : “ I se e that you a re n ot s o muc h

l xxiv IN TRO D UC T I O N
phil osophising as , if o ne m ay sa y s o, ince you r
theol ogising ; s

t h o ug h t s a r e t u r ni n g t o a ngel s p r o p h e c y a n d mi ra cle s
”
.
, ,

E vide n tly S pin oz a h a d i n f or med h im t h a t h e w as a l r e a dy

a t w o r k o n w h a t w a s t o be th e Tra c ta tu s The ol ogic o-P olitic a s .

An d in h is r eply t o O lde n bu r g s le t t e r S pi n oz a w r i t e s ( S e p
’
,

t embe r or O c t o be r 1 6 6 5 ) qui t e expli c i t ly t h a t h e is w r i t ing a

Tr e a ti s e o n t h e S c r ip t u re s Th e E thic a t h e n mu st h a ve
.
, ,

bee n p ut as ide suddenly j u s t as it wa s n ear i n g c o mple t i on

, ,

a n d f or t h e n ext f o u r ye a r s o r s o w e fin d S pi n oz a h a r d a t

w ork o n h is Tra cta tu s The ol ogic o-P ol itica s T h i s ce r ta inly

.

s eem s s t ra nge .W h at was t h e c a u se of th i s s udden c h ange

in th e di rec ti o n of h is th ough t s
In h is lett er to O ldenbu rg S pin oz a s tate s th r ee r e ason s
,

w h ic h p romp ted him t o t a ke up t h e n e w Tr e a t i se I n th e .

fi rst pl a c e h e w a n ted to de al w i th th e t h e ol ogi a n s w h os e

, ,

p rej udi c e s w e r e th e c h ie f o b sta c le w h ic h p r even t ed pe ople

f r om bec o m i n g p h il o s o p h ic a l S pi n o za i n t e n ded t o e xp o s e
.

th e s e p r ej udice s a n d e v en h oped t o c on ve rt s ome o f th e

,

m ore i n tellige n t divine s In th e s ec on d pl a c e h e wa n t ed to

.
,

r e f u t e t h e c h a r ge o f a t h ei s m w h ic h w as c o n s ta n t ly b r o ug h t

a g a i n s t h im .I n t h e t h i r d pl a ce h e w a n t ed t o de f end by
,

eve ry me an s in h is p o w e r fr eed o m o f t h ough t a n d s peec h

f r o m t h e ty r a n n y a n d p r e sump ti o n of t h e cle r gy w h o w e r e ,

d oi n g th ei u tm o s t t o s upp r es s it To app r eciat e th e s e

r .

r e a s o n s a de q u a t ely it is n ece s s a r y t o m a k e a br ie f s u rvey o f

t h e h i st o r ic a l ci r c u m st a n ce s w h i c h s ee m ed t o c a ll f or s uc h
a b oo k a s t h e Tr a c ta tu s Theol o ic o-P ol itic a s t h n eed f o r
g e ,

w h ic h mu s t evide n t ly h a ve a ppe a r ed ve ry u r gen t t o S pin oz a

t o h a v e m a de him p u t a s ide h is g r e at w or k j u st a s it w as ,

n e ar i ng c o mple t i o n in o r de r t o a tt a ck th e s e mixed p r o blem s

,

o f t h e o l o gy a n d p o li t ic s .

S pi n o a w e h a ve s ee n w a s a nxi ou s t o w in th e f a v ou r of
z
, ,

th e m e n w h o w e r e in p o w e r s o t h a t h e migh t publi sh h is
,

p h il osop h y w i th ou t l e t or h i n dra n ce S u c h p a tron age w a s

.

indi spe n sa ble in th o s e d a y s f or th e s ake oi b oth th e th inke r

,
'
 THE L I F E OF SP IN O ZA l xxv
a nd h is t h o ugh ts Des cart e s for in sta nc e did n ot f eel s afe
.
, , ,

no t wi thsta ndi ng h is m ost ce r em o n i ou s bo ws t o th e C h u r c h

a n d even i n t h e Net h e r l a nd s w h er e t h er e w a s n eith e r
,

o cc as i o n n o r inclin a t i o n t o s t udy th e s u s cep t ibili t ie s o f t h e

h oly Ro m a n C h u r c h t h e C ar te s i a n p h il o s o p h y m e t w i th
,

c on side ra ble cler ica l r es is ta n ce a n d wa s r epeat edly f or bidden

,

t o be ta ugh t at th e U nive rs i tie s Al th ough th e ci vil au th or i

.

t ie s w e re gene ra lly in c lined t o be libe ra l y e t th e C a lvini s t ,

o r R e f o r med C le rgy o f t e n h a d s u fficie n t p ow e r t o c a u s e t h e

confi sc ati o n a nd de struc ti on of b ooks t o w h ich th ey t oo k

excep ti on a nd th e a u th ors of s uch b ooks w e r e o ccas i o n a lly
,

ma de t o s uff e r b o th in pu r s e a n d in perso n S pi no a s de si r e . z
’

t o w in t h e f a v o u r a nd p r otec t i o n o f t h os e in p ow e r w a s
t h e r e f or e n at u ra l en ough And h e s ucceeded a lm ost bette r
.

t h a n h e c o uld h ave expec t e d F or h e enli st ed t h e symp at h y

,

o f n o le s s a pe r so n a ge t h a n t h e G ra n d P en s i o n a r y h im s el f

a n de Wi t t H s ve r y s ucce s s h o w e v e r in a w a de f e a t ed h is
J . i , y ,

p rimary o b j ec t by divert ing h is att e n t i on fr o m pu rely p h il o

,

so p h ic a l p r o blem s H .o w t h i s h a ppe n ed w ill s o o n be e v iden t .

R e f e r e n ce h a s a l r e a dy bee n m a de to t h e s t r uggle be t w ee n
t h e R em n
o s t r a n t s a n d t h e c o n t r a -R em on s tr a n t s a n d t h e ,

t r agic f a t e of t h e R e m o n s t ra n t le a de r B a r n e v eld t in 1 6 1 9 , , .

Th a t c o nflict w as by n o me a n s a pu r ely r eligi o u s c o nflic t .

C h u rc h a n d S t a t e R elig io n a n d P o li t i c s if n ot q ui t e s o in
, ,

t im a t e l y u n i t ed as el s e w h e e w e r e a n y th i n g b u t c o mple t ely
r ,

divor ced even in t h e Ne t h er l a n ds Poli ti c a lly t h at c o nflic t .

w a s o n e be t w een t h e p r inciple o f a u t o n o my of e a c h of th e
U ni t ed Pr ovinces a nd especi a lly o f H o ll a n d a n d th e p r in
, ,

c ip l e o f t h e p r ed om i n a nce o f t h e H o u s e o f O r a n ge In .

t h at e a r ly c o nflic t B a rn e v eld t s t o o d f or t h e f or me r p r i n ciple

, ,

M a urice th e S ta dthol der ( or s o-c a lled Lieu te n an t b u t

,
“
,
”

virt u a l o r w o uld-Be m o n arc h ) f or th e l at ter Th ough , .

B arn eveld t c a me t o a n e n d in 1 6 1 9 t h e c on fli c t d d ,
l

n ot it o n l y r equi r ed a s ui ta ble o pp or tu n i t y t o b r e a k
o u t af r es h . I n 16 5 0 t h e S ta dthol der Willi a m I l c h ag r ined
, , .
,
Ixxvi I N TRO D U C T I O N
bec a u s e of i ndependen t atti tude of Amste rd a m arrested
th e ,

it s five c h ie f bu r g h e rs a m o ng t h em J a c o b de Wi tt
,
Th ey .

w e r e r ele a s ed soon a ft e r war ds a nd dep r ived of t h ei r office .

B u t t h ei r bi tter r e s en t men t m ay be g a uged by t h e f a c t t h a t ,

o n t h e dea th o f Willi a m I I in 1 6 5 1 de Wi tt h a d a med a l

.
, ,

s tr uck r ep re s en t ing Willi a m I I lying de a d o n t h e g r o und .

,

w i th t h e m otto Liberty for ever , Th e ye ars wh ich f o ll ow ed

w e re ye ars of g r e a t a n xie ty f or t h e Ne t h e r l a n d s C r o m w ell .
,

p r omp t ed by th e Utopi a n idea of a E u ropea n Pr ote st a n t

C oa li t i on p r o p os ed t o t h e S t a t e s -G e n e r a l o f t h e Ne th e rl a nd s
,

t h a t th ey s h o uld s u ff e r t h em s elve s t o be a b s o r bed by E ng

l a n d W h e n th i s w a s decli n ed h e b ro ugh t th e N a viga
.
,

t i o n A c t i n t o o pe ra t i on w i th a vie w to c r ippli n g t h e Du tc h
s h ippi n g t ra de War f o ll ow ed B u t n ego ti a ti o n s w e re
. .

s o o n r e o pened a n d pe a ce w as c o ncluded in 1 6 5 4
,
It w as .

du ring t h e s e t ro uble s th at Ja n de Wi tt t h e b rilli a nt son of ,

J a c ob de W tt g ot a n d u s ed h is o pp ortuni ty I n 1 6 5 3 h e
i
, .

h ad been e l e c t ed Gra nd P en s i o n a r y o f H o ll a nd a nd it w a s ,

l a rgely th rough his s kill t h at t h e pe a ce n egot i ati o ns w i th

E ngl a nd c a me t o a s ucce s sf ul i ssue in t h e f o ll o w i n g y e ar .

U n f ort u na t ely f or de Wi tt C r o m w ell in h is a n xie ty t o keep

, ,

C h a r le s I I a t a s af e di s ta n ce s tip ul a t ed a s o n e o f th e c on
.
,

d it ion s o f pe a ce t h a t t h e y o ung Pr ince o f O ra nge ( s on of

Willi a m I I a nd n ep h e w of C h arle s I I ) sh ould be m a de in
.
, .

eligible f or th e p ost s o f S ta dthol der a nd C ap t a in -Ge n e ra l of

t h e Ne th e rl a nd s for ce s A n d k n o w ing t h at m os t o f t h e
.
,

U n i t ed Pr ovi n ce s w o uld st ro n gly r e s en t t h e ver y su g g e s

t i o n of s uc h a c o ndi t i o n de Wi tt h a d t o pe rs u a de t h e
,

H oll a nde rs t o bind th ems elves a t le ast to s uch a s ec r e t

“
A c t of S eclu s i on Th i s of c ou r s e was b o und t o inte n
.
, ,

s ify th e o pp o s i t i o n be tw een t h e d e Wi tts a n d th e H o u s e o f

O r a ng e a n d t o lea d t o a f r e sh c o nfli c t be t w een t h e R epub

,

l ic an a n d t h e M o n ar c h i s t p ar t ie s in t h e Ne t h e r l a nd s Th e .

H ou s e of O ra nge l arg ely o wing t o its e arly a lli a nce ( in

,

th e d a y s of B arn e ve l d t) w i th th e or th od ox maj or i ty e ve n t u
_
,
l xxviii I N TR O D UC T I O N
sa id t o h ave wr i tte n or co n tribu t ed som e ch ap te rs to s uch a
p oli tica l pa mp h let It s eem s n at u ra l en ough th er e f ore th at a t
.
, ,

s uc h a c r i t ic a l pe r i o d S pin o a t h e
z ,
go o d r epublica n sh ould ,

l ay a s ide h is m or e s p e c u l at ive E thic a in o rde r t o pl ay h is p art in

t h e w a r f a r e ag a i n s t b ig o tr y a n d i n t o le ra n ce H e w o uld exp os e
.

t h e p r ej udice s p r e s ump t i o n a nd t h e lu s t f or p o w er of th e
, ,

cler i c a l p ar ty B ut it w a s idle s imply t o a d d o n e m or e p oli

.

t ic a l p a mp h le t t o th e m ul t i t ude in w h ic h t h e p r in c iple o f
f r eed o m of th o ug h t a nd s peec h h a d a l r e a dy been a bly de
f ended o n gener a l p h il o so p h i c a l a n d h um a n i t a r i a n g ro und s .

Th e e a l o t s w e r e de a f a n d bli n d t o s u c h a rgumen ts T o t h em
z .

p h il osop hy me a n t h e re sy a n d h uma n i s m mea nt ath eism

, .

Th e c i ta del of t h e cle r ic s wa s t h e B ible Fr om it th ey

.

d r e w al l t h ei r a r gu m en ts w i th w h ich th ey s o oft en
s ile n ced pe o ple eve n w h e n th ey f a iled t o c o nvince th em
,
.

S pi n o a r e s o l ved to t u r n h is a tt en t i o n to t h e c i ta del i ts el f
z ,

lea ving mer e s ki r mi sh e s t o oth ers H e would s h ow th at th e

.

v e r y B ible o n w h ic h t h e s e p r es u m p t u o u s t h e o l o gi a n s b as ed

t h ei r w h o le c a s e did n ot be ar t h em o ut a t a l l th at t h ey w e re ,

s imply ign o ra n t o f t h e s e v e ry S c r ip t u r e s a n d t h a t t h ey u s ed
,

r eligi o n a n d t h e B ible mer ely a s a cl oa k f o r th ei r ow n im

pudent lu s t f or p ow e r over oth er s S uch a w ork requi r ed.

vas t a n d v ar ied le a r ni n g a n d in s ig h t - b u t S pin oza (a n d a t

t h at t ime per h a p s h e a l o n e ) h ad th em in a n emi n en t deg r ee .

Andi t r equi red t ime— pe rh a p s m or e th a n S pi n oz a a n t icip ated .

B u t S pi n o z a g r udged n ei th e r time n or e ff o r t a n d f o r th e nex t ,

f o u r ye ars h e wa s deeply eng r os s ed in t h e o l ogic a l a n d p oli t ic a l

s t udie s w h ic h r e s ul t ed in t h e Tra cta tu s The ol ogic o-
,
P ol itica s .

I nte rf u s ed w i th th i s w i d er g ra n de r m ot ive th e re w as ye t
,

a n ot h e r a p r i v a t e o r pe r s o n a l m o t ive
, He des ir ed t o sh ow
.

h e w r o t e t o O lde n bu r g in t h e a u t umn o f 1 6 6 5 ) t h a t h e w a s
( a s

n o t a n a t h ei st a s w a s c o mm o n ly s upp os ed
,
B y t h e t ime
.

S pi n o a fin i s h ed h is t r e a t i s e h e h a d p r o ba bly f or g o tt en a l l
z

a b ou t t h i s p v a t e a im
ri . I f h e w a s r e a lly s t ll a n xi o u s t o i

c o nve rt public O pini on a b ou t h ims el f h e c ould s c a rcely h ope

,
 THE LI F E OF SP IN O ZA xxix
to d o so by publi sh ing h is t r e at i s e a n onym ou sly as h e did ,

in 1 6 70 Th e fac t is th at a l th ough h is pe r s o n a l exper ie n ce s

.

a dded ze s t t o h is en t e r p r i s e in 1 6 6 t h ey g a du a lly sa n k
5 r ,

in to the b a ckgro u n d as h e p r oceeded w i th h is w ork B ut in .

a n y c a s e it is i nt e r e s t ing t o a s k wh at t h e s e pe r s o n a l e x e
p
r ie n c e s w e r e O ne n a t u ra lly t h i n ks a t fi r s t of h is e xc om
.
, ,

m u nic a t io n in 1 6 5 6 B u t t h a t w a s a n o l d st o ry a l r e a dy a n d
.
,

S pi n oz a w a s a t t h a t t ime h ar dly c o n ce r ned mu c h if a t a l l , ,

a b o u t t h e g oo d o pi n i o n o f t h e Am s t e r d a m Je w s It w ill be .

be tte r t o tu r n to V o or bu r g a n d t o w h at h appen ed th er e in
,

1 66 5 f or ligh t o n t h i s s ubj ec t
, I t w a s n o t a n i m p or t a n t
.

ev en t to wh ich w e a re r e f e rr ing b u t it is in te re sti n g a s a n

,

inciden t in S pi n oza s lif e n d a s typica l of t h e r eligi o u s

’

,
a

t empe r o f th e t ime Th e p a s t or a t e o f t h e V oo r bu r g C h u r c h
.

h a ppened t o be va c a n t in t h a t ye a r Th e r e w e r e t w o c a n .

d id ate s in t h e field one libe r a l t h e oth e r or th od ox

, , .

S pin o za s l a ndl o r d a nd o t h e r s pe t i t i o n ed t h e a u th or i t ie s o n
’

beh al f of th e m or e libe ra l c a ndid a te Th e r eu p o n th e orth o .

d cx p ar ty s e n t a c o u n t e r-pe t i t i o n a ccu s i n g t h e Ty d e m a n n
p arty of s h eer w icked n e s s a n d stat ing at th e s a me t ime th at
,

th e Tyd e m a nn pe t i t i o n h a d been c on c o ct ed by a certa in

“

S pin o a a n Am s t e r d a m Je w by bi r t h w h o is a n a t h ei st
z , , ,

s c off s a t a l l r eligi o n a n d is infli c t i n g h ar m o n t h e R epublic

, ,

a s m a ny le a r ned pe rs o n s a n d mi n i s t e r s c a n a tt e s t E v ide n t ly .

S pi n o a h a d a n evil r epu t e a m on g t h e c h a mpi o n s o f o r th o

z

doxy in t h e village th ough it is ple asa n t to th i n k t ha t th e

,

m or e libe ra l s ec t i o n sh ow ed s u fficien t f a i th in h im t o enli st

h is symp ath y a n d h elp e v e n in t h ei r religi o u s c oncer n s .

I n th e c o u rs e of th e sa me ye ar S pi n oza h a d a di s ti n gui s h ed
vi s i t or in th e pers on of Fie l d -M a rs h a l C h ar les de S t De n i s .
,

S eigneu r de S t E vre m o n t w h o h a s le f t u s a ple a s a n t r ec or d

.
,

o f his imp r e s s i o n S pin o z a [ h e w r o t e ] w as of medium

.

h eigh t a n d h a d ple a sa n t f e a tu r e s H is k n o w ledge h is

.
,

m ode sty a n d h is u n s e l fish n e ss m a de al l th e i nt e l le c t u a l

,

pe o ple in th e H ague e steem h im a n d s eek h is a cqu a i nta n ce .

”
lxxx I N TR O D U C T I O N
S pin oz a m a ined in V oorbu rg t ill 1 6 70 b ut n ot m a ny
re ,

de tail s h a ve r e a ch ed u s a bo ut h im even du r ing th i s per i o d .

H e kep t in to uc h w i th h is Am st e rda m f rie n d s to wh o m h e ,

s en t his m a nu s c r ip t o f t h e E thic s f o r r e a ding a n d di s cu s s i o n

a t th ei r p h il o s o p h ic a l s o ciety s g a t h e r ing s S o me o f t h em
’
.
,

n otably S imo n de Vr ie s a l so vi s i t ed h im a t V oor bu r g Th at

, .

S pin oz a s h e a l th w as n o t r o bu st is e v ide n t f r o m his le t t e r to

’

o n e o f h is medic a l f r iend s a t A m st e r d a m ( A Ko e rb ag h ) t o .
,

w h o m h e in c ide n ta lly men t i o n s t h a t h e h a d been s u ff e r i n g

r epe a t edly f r o m t e rt i a n a gue a n d as k s h im f or s o me c o n
,

s e r ve o f r o s e s It w a s a b o u t t h i s t ime a pp a r en t ly t h a t S im o n
.

de Vr ie s w a nt ed S pi n o a t o a ccep t f r om him a gif t of two

z

th o u sa nd flor in s S i m o n de V r ie s died in 1 6 6 7 a nd h is
.
,

d e ath mu st h ave been f el t very deeply by S pin oz a Th e .

f o ll ow i n g ye a r 1 6 6 8 b r o ug h t b a d ne w s a b o u t a n o th e r o f
, ,

h is f rie n d s Ad r i aa n Ko e r b ag h w h o m S pi n oz a g ot t o kn o w
.
,

a t R ij n s bu r g h a d s tu died l a w a n d medi c ine a t Leyden

, ,

a n d w as p os s e ss ed o f c o n s ide ra ble men t a l gi ft s S pin oz a .

like d h im a n d e n c ou ra ged h im in th e st udy of p h il osop h y

, ,

a n d in t h e a b o ve -men t i o ned lett e r h e a ct u a l l y off er ed t o

s end h im t h e m a n u s c r ip t o f t h e E thic s B u t t h o ug h cleve r
.
, ,

Ko e r b ag h s eem s t o h a ve h a d li t t le o r n o c h ar a c t er At a l l .

even ts early in 1 6 6 8 h e publi sh ed t wo w or ks en ti tled A

, ,

Ga rden of F l owers a n d Light in D ark Pl a c es in wh ic h h e

, ,

a t ta cked medicine m o r a l s a n d r eligi o n in a m o st w a n t o n

, ,

a n d s h a mele ss m a nne r H e w as p romp tly ar r e s ted a nd

.
,

t h o ug h h e exp r e ss ed r eg r e t a n d r ec a n ted ye t ( a s t h i s w a s
,

no t h is fi rs t o ff e n ce ) h e w a s fined 6 0 00 flor in s a n d c o n

d e m n e d t o te n ye a r s imp r i s on men t w i t h h a r d l a b o ur t o be
’
,

f o ll ow ed by exile It s h o uld be me n t i o ned t o his h o n o u r th a t

.

h e en t i r ely ex one r a t ed h is b r oth er wh o h a d a l so been arr e st ed ;

,

a n d w h e n S pin oz a s n a me w a s me n t i o ned in t h e c ou rs e o f
’

t h e t r i a l h e t o o k t h e en t i r e r e s p o n s ibili t y up o n h im s el f ,

emp hat ic ally denyi ng th at S pi n oz a o r a ny on e el s e wa s in

a ny w ay r e sp o n s ible f o r w h a t h e h a d wr i t ten H ow ever .
 T HE LI F E OF SP I N O ZA l xxxi
l i tt le e r e m a y be to s a y in Koe rb ag h s favou r ye t
th
’
,

t h e pu n i sh men t w a s ce r t a inly s a va ge A n d o n e of t h e .

o ffice r s o f t h e c o u r t h a d a c t u a lly u rged s o me th ing muc h

f

m ore s ever e n a mely th at h is f or tune s h ou l d be c o nfi sc ated

, , ,

h is r ig h t t h umb c u t off h is t o n gue b or ed t h r o ug h w i th a

,

r e d- h ot i ro n a n d t h a t h e s h o uld be imp r i s o ned f or t h i rty

,

ye a rs ! Koe r b ag h died in p r i s o n in t h e f o ll ow i n g ye ar .

Th e a fl air mu s t h a ve m a de a deep imp r e ss i o n o n S pin o za ,

w h o h a d expec t ed muc h f r o m h im a n d s o me o f w h os e ,

vie ws Koe r b a g h h a d certa i n ly a ss imil at ed and s p r e a d

t h o ug h S pi n o a w a s th e l a st m a n t o c o n d o ne imm ora li ty
z .

I n t h e mea n time S pi n o a h a d been bu sy w i th h is Tr a ctatus

z

The ol ogic o-P ol itic a s a n d it w a s publi s h ed in 1 6 70

,
He .

h a d n o w been s eve n ye a r s at V o or bu r g a n d h e m a y h a ve ,

needed a c ha nge o r h is fr iend s at t h e H a gue m a y h ave

,

u rged h im t o c o me a n d li v e a m o ng th em At a l l even ts .

S pin o za le ft t h e vill a ge a n d w en t t o live in t h e Ha gue

, .

§ 8 . SP I N O ZA S ’
ST AY IN THE HA G U E — r o7o—1 6
77

S pi n o z a s ’
fir st l o dg in g s th e in
e r e s i tu at ed on H a gue w
t h e S til l e Ve erka de , a quie t w h a rf n o t f a r f r o m t h e Gr e a t

C h u rc h o f S t J a me s . H e l o dged a n d b oar ded w i th a

.

w id o w of t h e n a me o f V a n Vele n A s i ngle r oo m on th e .

s ec o nd fl o or s e r v ed h im as bedr o o m w o r k r o o m a n d s t udy , , ,

a l l in o n e .C u r i o u s ly e n o ugh it w a s in th at s a me ro o m ,

t h at C ol e r us s ub s equen t ly w r ot e on e of t h e e a r lie st b io
r a p hic s o f S pi n oz a u e a s been ide n t ified
g T h e h o s
. h (t
i
bea rs th e number 3 2 ) b u t it h a s no do ub t been ve ry muc h , ,

a l t e r ed s i n ce t h o s e d ay s a n d t h e S til l e Ve erka de is n o l o n ge r

a w h a r f b u t a n o r din a r y s tr ee t t h e w a t e r w a y h av ing bee n

, ,

filled up w i th e a r th l o n g s i n ce .

Pr o ba bly o ne o f t h e a tt ra c t i o n s w h ic h t h e H a gue h ad
l xxxii I N TRO D UC TI O N
f or S pin oz a w a s th at it b rough t him in to cl o se r touch w ith
a n de Wi tt T h a t h e h a d kn o w n h im f o r s o me t ime a l r e a dy
J .

s eem s ce r ta i n Th e p o li t ic a l v ie ws of th e Tra ctatu s The o

.

l ogic o-P ol itica s a r e ve r y like th os e o f t h e Gra n d Pen s i o n ar y ,

a n d it w a s unde r his p ro t ec t i o n t h a t t h i s t r e a t i s e h a d been

publi sh ed Wh e n th e O pp or tuni ty a ros e de Witt s enemie s

.
,
’

s p oke qui t e o pe n ly o f t h e t e a t i s e a s a w icked in s t r ume n t

r

“
f or ge d in h ell by a r e n eg a de Je w a nd th e devil a n d i ss ued ,

w i th t h e kn o w ledge O f M r Ja n de Wi tt . I t w a s p ro b a bly .

a l s o du r i n g his s t a y in V o o r bu r g a n d w h ile giving h is t ime

,

a n d e n e r gy t o t h e c o mp o s i t i o n o f t h e Tra cta tu s Theol ogic a

P ol itica s th at S pi n o a a ccep t ed f ro m de Wi tt a n a n n u a l
,
z

pe ns i o n of 200 fl or ins w h i h w as p aid even a ft e r de

,
c

Wi tt s de ath O n c e in th e H ague S pin oza mu st h a ve t e

’
.
,

c e ive d m a ny a vi s i t f r o m t h e G ra nd Pen s i o n a ry a nd l o c a l

gossip indeed s till r e f er s t o s uch p rivat e vi s i ts from h im

, , ,

a n d h is u s u a l en t ra n ce by th e g ar den d oo r a t t h e b a ck o f

th e h o u s e .

Th e need of p r otec t i o n f r o m h ig h qu ar t e rs sh ow ed i ts el f
s oo n e n o ug h Al r e a dy in th e J une f oll ow ing th e public a
.

t i o n of th e Tra cta tus Theol ogic o-P ol itica s t h e C h u r c h C ouncil ,

o f Am s t e r d a m h a d c o n dem n ed it a n d t h e c o n demn a t i o n o f
,

o th e r C h u r c h C o uncil s f o ll o w ed in ra pid s ucce ss i o n Th e .

b ook h ad ma de a g r e a t s t i r in t h e lea rn ed w or ld a n d ra n ,

thro ugh five edi t i o n s w i t h in a c omp ara tively sh or t t ime .

B ut it h ad s t i rr ed a h or n e t s ne st a n d f or m a ny ye a rs t o
’

, ,

c o me th e ol ogi a ns a nd oth e r r e spec ta ble f olks show ed th eir

,

o r t h o d o xy by ince ssa n t denunci a ti ons O f tha t g odle ss

tre at i s e Th e civil a uth o r i t ie s w e r e r epe a t edly a pp roa c h ed
.

a n d w or r ied t o exe r ci s e t h e a r m of t h e l a w B u t so l o ng a s .

de Witt w as in p ow e r th e imp ort un at e ze al ots wer e s ucce ss

f ully r e s i s t ed E ve n a f t e r de Wi t t s de a th t h e r e w e r e men
’
.
,

like B u rg o m a st e r H u dd e w h o c ould f or a t ime de f ea t th e

, , ,

e fforts o f th e cler ic s B u t wh en Willi a m I I I f ound it

. .

de sira ble to ingr a tiate h ims el f w ith th e clergy and th e mob ,

 T HE LI F E OF S P IN O ZA lxxxiii
a nd to pl ay t o ga lle r y f or a c r ow n th e Tra c ta tus The o
th e ,

l ogic o-P ol itica s w a s st ric tly p roh ibi t ed a nd o th e r

meas u r e s we r e c o n templ at ed a l so a ga in st th e kn ow n au th or
of t h e a n o nym o u s t r e a t i s e .

In M ay 1 6 7 1 S pin oza f ound it neces sa ry t o c h a nge h is

l odgi ng s H e w as in r eceip t O f 3 00 fl orin s a ye ar f r o m th e
.

broth er O f S im on de V r ie s a nd 2 0 0 florins a y e a r fr om de ,

Wi tt th at is a bo u t £40 a ye ar bes ide s w ha t little h e may

, , ,

h av e been st ill e a rn ing by m a ki n g le n s e s He f o u n d t h a t .

h e c o uld n ot a ff o r d to c o n t i n ue t o p a y M r s V a n Vele n s
’
.

c h arge s f or b oar d a nd l o dgi ng a nd th er e f or e l ooked out for ,

r o o m s w h e r e h e mig h t p r o vide h is o w n f o o d a n d e c o n o ,

mi s e t h at w ay H e a cc or di ngly m o ved in to th e a dj oi n i ng
.

P a vil ioensgra gt w h e r e be r en t ed t w o s m a ll r o o m s in t h e
,

h o u s e of a p a in t e r H end r ik va n d e r S pyck
,
Th i s h o u s e .

h a s a l s o been ide n t ified a nd ma y n ow be r ec o g n i s ed by t h e

,

t a ble t affixed t o t h e fr o n t w a ll j u st bel o w t h e w i n d ow o n

t h e s ec ond s t or y w h e r e S pin o a s r o o m s w e r e Her e a l so
’
,
z .

r w a t e r w a y h a s l on g s i n ce m a de r o o m f o r a n
”
th e ra t
g g o, ,

o r din a ry r o a d S pin o za lived w i th th e Va n d e r S p yc k s t ill

.

th e end o f h is li fe .

Wh en S pin oz a s e t tled in th e H ague a fter th e publica ti on ,

o f h is Tra c ta tus The ol ogic o- P ol itic a s h e t u r n ed h is a tt e n ti o n ,

o n ce m o r e t o h is n eglec t ed E thic s w h i c h h a d a l r e a dy s eemed ,

to be ne ar c o mple t i o n in 1 6 6 5 T h e c o mp ar a t ively l o n g
.

i n te rval w h ich h a d el a p s ed s i n ce h e h ad p u t it as ide in or der

t o t a ke up t h e m or e u r gen t w o r k h a d p r o b a bly b ro ug h t
w i th it t h e need or t h e de s i r e f o r n o t inc o n s ide ra ble m o di
fic at ion s or el a b o ra t i on s o f de ta il s a n d t h e E thic s o n ly ,

a tt a i n ed t o its fin a l f o r m in 1 6 75 I n th e me a n t i m e h ow .
,

eve r S pin o za mu s t h a ve devoted h is a tt e n t ion a l so t o oth e r

,

t h ing s be s ides th e E thic s Wh ile at work on h is Tra ctatus

.

The ol ogic o-P ol itic a s h e h a d a g a in ta ken up h is H eb r e w a n d

B iblic a l s t udie s a n d h a d m a s t e r ed a m a ss O f p oli t ic a l li t e r a
,

tu re . I n th at t r e a ti s e h e w as c h iefly c o nce rned w i t h t h e

lxxxiv I N T RO D UC T I O N
fin a l r e sults of th e s e studies a nd r eflecti on s a nd th e di ff er en t ,

depart men ts of t h ough t w e r e nece ssa r ily al l in ter mingled .

It w o uld n a t u r a lly o ccu r t o h im o r s o me of h is fr iend s ,

w o uld s ugge s t t o him t h a t it w as d e s ir a ble t o w or k out e a c h

,

o f t h e s e s ubj ec t s indepe n den t ly a n d m or e f ully t h a n w a s

,

p os sible in t he a b ove t r e ati s e S pin o z a w h ile c omple ti n g

.
,

a n d perf ec t i n g h is E thic s w o uld a c c o r di n gly a l s o be

, p r e

p ari n g f or a s cie n t ific tr e a ti s e o n th e H eb rew l angu age f or ,

a t r a n s l at i o n o f t h e O l d T e s ta me n t ba s ed o n s uc h a n e x o s i
p
t i o n o f t h e c h a ra c t e r o f Heb r e w a n d l a s t ly f or a s ep a ra t e
, , ,

t r e at i s e o n p oli t ic a l t h e o r i e s B y w ay o f a c h a nge fr o m
.

t h e o l ogy a n d p o li t ic s h e w ould a l s o t u r n a g a in s o met ime s

t o m a t h e m a t ic s a n d p h y s ic a l s cience w i th a vie w t o s upple ,

m e n ting his E thic s s o me d ay by a tr e a t i s e o n n at u ra l p hil o

, ,

s op h y . Th a t S pi n o a w i s h ed t o w r i t e s uc h a w o r k o n n at u r a l
z

p h il o s o p h y a n d a l so to give a n e w exp o s i ti on of th e p r in
,

c ip l e s o f a lgeb ra w e k n o w ; b u t h e d id n o t live t o r ea li s e
,

t h e s e w i sh e s H is o th er in t en t i on s f a r ed rath e r be tt e r
. .

S pin o z a did begi n a Heb re w Gra mma r a Du t c h t ra n sl at i o n ,

O f t h e B ible a n d a P ol itic a l Trea tise

,
B u t h e s eem s t o h a ve
.

been di s sat i s fied w i th h is tra n s l a ti on a n d de str oyed wh at h e ,

h a d d o ne . Th e Heb rew Gra mma r r em a ined u n fini sh ed so ,

did t h e P ol itica l Treatise wh ic h h o w eve r w a s muc h ne ar e r

, , ,

c o mple ti o n H e h a s a l s o le ft a n e ssay On the Rainb ow a n d

.

a n o t h e r On the C a l c u l ation of Chanc es Ve r y li k ely h e did .

n o t begi n t o w r i t e a l l o r a ny o f t h e s e w h ile h e w a s s t ill

o ccupied w i th his E thic s B u t h e mu s t h ave bee n p r ep a r ing

.

f or t h em a n d w e a r e t o ld th at a t t ime s h e wa s s o h a r d a t
,

w o r k th at h e did n ot le av e his r oo m fo r d a y s n or g o o u t o f ,

t h e h ou s e for t h r ee m on th s a t a s t re t c h .

I n th e me a n t ime bl a ck cl ouds w e r e g a th e ri ng i n t h e p o li
t ic a l a t m os p h e r e a n d a s tor m w a s p r ep a r i ng t o bu r st up o n
,

th e h e ad s o f th e de Wi tt s a n d t h ei r fr iend s .

R e f e r e n ce h as a l r e a dy been m a de t o t h e w a r be tw een
E n gl a n d a n d H o ll a n d in 1 6 6 5 T h at w a r w a s c o n cluded in
.
lxxxvi I N TRO D UC T I O N
th e m ost b rut al fash i on Th i s h appe n ed on th e 2 0 th of
.

Augu st 6 72 M or e th an t w e nty ye a rs of th e m ost dev oted

1 .

a n d a ble s e rvice t o t h e R epublic w a s f or g ot te n in t h e

m omen t of wrath a n d th e Pri n ce of O ra nge Willi a m 111
, ,
.

( t h e f u t u r e K ing of E n gl a n d ) w a s n o t a l t o ge t h e r guil
,
t le s s o f
th e c r ime .

Wh en S pin oz a h ear d of th e h orr ible t ragedy h e w as qui te

bes ide h im s el f H is u s u a l p h iIO S O p hic ca l m ent irely de s ert ed
.

h im . H e bu r st i n to t e a rs a nd di s tra c t ed w i th gr ie f a n d
, ,

a nge r h e w r ot e o n a pl a c a r d his u tt e r a b h o rr e n ce of
“
,
the

ve ry l ow e st of b ar bar i ans wh o h a d c o mmi tted t h e iniqui to u s

mu rde r He wa n t ed t o g o out a nd p ost h is denu nci ati on
.

n e a r t h e s cene o f t h e c r ime F or tu n at ely Va n d e r S pyck

.
,

w a s m or e di s c r ee t He l ocked t h e d o or s o t h at S pi noz a
.
,

c ould n ot g e t out to sh are t h e f a te of th e de Wi tts .

S o me t ime a f t e r th e s e t e rr ible e ve nt s t h e h ei r s of Ja n de
'

Wi tt sh owed some h e s i ta ti o n a b ou t c o nt i n ui n g S pin oza s ’

pe nsi on S ome o f th e p hil os op h er s frie n d s wh en th ey

.
’
,

h e ar d o f it u r ged h im t o e n for c e h is leg a l cl a im s o n t h e

,

s tr e n g th o f t h e w r i tt en p r omi s e w h ic h h e p o s s e ss ed B ut .

S pin o z a s imply r e t u r ned th a t d o cume n t t o de Wi tt s h ei r s

’

w i t h o u t a n y c o mme n t I mp r e ss ed by h is c on duc t t h ey
.
,

c o nt i nued h is pen s i on w i th o u t a ny m or e a d o
Th e w a r be t w een Fr a n c e a n d H ol l a nd p r oved f a ta l t o y e t
a n ot h e r f r iend o f S pin o z a H is ol d t e a c h e r Va n d e n E nden
.
, ,

h a d bee n c ompelled t o le ave Am s t er d a m so me ye ars be for e

t h e s e even t s F or a t ime h e s tayed in An tw e r p a n d t h en
.
,

s e tt led in Pa r i s He r e h is de si r e to h elp h is ow n c ou ntry a t

.

t h at c r i t ic a l pe r i od led h im t o j o in in a c o n spi ra cy to be tra y

Q u il l e b oe u f t o th e Du t c h a nd t o r a i s e a r ebelli on in No r
,

m a ndy All th i s w ould o f c ou r s e h ave g re atly h elped the

.
, ,

Ne th e rl a n ds in th ei r str uggle w i th L oui s XIV B ut th e .

c on s pira cy w as di sco ver ed a n d Va n d e n E nden was b e ,

h e a ded in fr o n t o f t h e B a s t ille in N ovembe r 1 6 74 S uc h .

w as t h e tragic end of t h e m a n w h o h a d be fr ien d ed S pi n oza

 THE LI F E O F SP I N O ZA lxxx vii
in th e e arly day s of h is struggle a nd wh o h ad c on tribu ted ,

n o t a li t tle t owar d s t h e e a r ly devel opmen t o f his s cien t ific

t h in k ing .

Th e w ar w i th F ra nce h a d y e t f u rth e r c o n s equence s in

s tor e f or S pin oz a In 1 6 73 th e F r ench army u nder Pr ince
.

C o n d é w a s e n c a mpi n g a t U t r ec h t a n d a m o ng t h e O ffice r s ,

t h e r e w a s a C o l onel S t o upe w h o w as in c h a rge of a S w i ss

,

r egimen t . S to upe w a s a n e x-p ars on w ell r e a d b u t a n , ,

a dven tu r e r C o nd é w a s a m a n o f libe r a l vie w s a nd in t e

.
,

r e st ed in art s cience a n d p h il os op h y
, ,
And du ri ng th ei r .

en forced idleness a t U trecht S toupe s uggest ed t hat as ,

S pin oza ( a l r e a dy f a m o u s a s t h e a u th o r of t h e ge o me tr ic
ve rsi on of De s carte s Princip ia a nd much m or e s o a s th e
’

a u t h or o f t h e Tra c ta tu s Theol ogic o- P ol itica s) lived qui t e ne ar ,

a t t h e H a gue it w o uld be in t e r e s t ing t o

, g e t t o kn o w h im .

C ond é a cc or di n gly s en t t h ro ug h S to upe a n invi t a ti o n t o

Wh at induced S toupe
, ,

S pin oza t o vi s i t him a t U t r e c h t .

t o s eek th e a cqu a in ta nce of S pi n oz a s eem s f a i r ly cle a r .

Th o ug h a C a l vini s t a n d a t o n e t ime a mini s t e r of h is r eli

,

gi o n h e h a d b rough t a r eg im en t of S w i ss soldie rs to th e
,

s e r vice of C a th olic F r a n ce a g a in s t t h e C a lvini st N et h e r l a nd s .

Th e f a c t is t h a t h e w a s j u s t a n un s c r upul ou s a dve n tu r e r ;
a t h e ar t ( a s B i s h o p B u r n e t h a s s a id o f h im ) h e w a s nei th e r

a P r o t e s t a n t n o r a C h r i st i a n b u t a m a n o f i n tr igue a n d of
,

n o vi r tue B u t h e w a s a nxi o u s t o keep up a ppe a ra n ce s

.
,

a n d w h en a c o u n t r ym a n o f his t oo k him s eve r ely t o t as k f o r

h elping th e C a t h o lic s a g a i n s t h is o w n f ell o w -C a lvi n i sts h e ,

tr ied t o de f e n d h im s el f by s ugge s t i n g t h a t t h e m aj or i ty of
t h e D u t c h w e r e n ot C a lvi n i s ts a t a l l b u t h e r e t i c s of t h e ,

bl a cke st dye In a p a mph let wh ic h h e publi sh ed a bou t

.

S ep t embe r 1 6 73 h e r e f e rs t o S pin oz a a s a b a d Je w a n d w or s e
,

C h r i s t i a n w h o h a d w r i tt en a t r e at i s e w i t h th e a im of de
,

s t r oyi n g a l l r eligi o n a n d e s ta bli s h ing a th ei s m Th i s b oo k .

( h e a dded ) w as n e ve
,
r t h ele s s O pe n ly s o,
ld a n d w idely r ead ,

a n d n o Du t c h m a n h a s ta ken t h e t r o uble t o r e f u t e it w h ile ,

lxxxviii I N TRO D U CT I O N
it s au th or w as in fa c t muc h sought aft er by le ar n ed me n
, ,

a n d f s h i o n a ble l a die s a n d s o o n
a T h e o bj e c t o f th e inv i
,
.

t a t io n t o S pin o a s o f ar a s S toupe w a s c o n ce r ned w as

z , ,

t h e r ef o r e s imply t o g e t w h a t i n f o r m at i o n h e c o uld th at
mig h t b e t u r n ed t o a cc o u nt f or h is s el f-de fe n ce An d such .

w er e th e t e m s in w h i c h h e de sc r ibed S pi n o z a a pp a r e n tly
r

a t t h e ve ry t ime w h e n h e p r o f e ss ed t h e g r e a t e t r eg ar d f or s

him !
pin oza o n t h e oth e r h a n d a d r e a mer by bi rth p roba bly
S , , ,

s a w in t h i s in v i t t i o n f r o m Pr i n ce C o nd é a p o s s ible o peni n g
a

f o r pe a ce n eg oti a ti o n s a n d w a s n xi o u s t o d o h is du t y
,
He
a .

s eem s t o h a v e c o n s ul t ed s o me pe o ple in a u t h o r i ty a nd ,

w h at e v e r t h ey m a y h a v e t h o ug h t a b o u t it p r iva t ely t h ey ,

c ould ce r ta inly s e e n o h a m in S pi n oza s e rra n d An d s o

r
’
.
,

a rmed w i t h t h e nece s sa r y s a f e - c o n du c ts S pin oz a ma de his ,

w ay t o U t r ec h t in M a y 1 6 73 H e w a s well r ecei ved by .

C o u n t Lu xembu r g o n be h a l f o f Pr i n ce C o n d é w h o h a d in
, ,

th e m e a n t ime been c a lled a w a y a n d h e w a s in vi t ed t o s t a y ,

t h er e a n d a w a i t t h e P r i n c e s r e t u r n S p i n o a s i n t e rc o u r s e
’ ’
. z

w i th t h e C o u nt w i th S to upe a n d o th e r s t h er e s eem s t o
, ,

h a v e been o f t h e fr ie n dlie s t ki n d a n d it is kn o w n t h a t h e ,

m a de a ve ry go o d imp r e ss i o n B u t wh en a ft er w a i ting .
,

s ev e r a l w eeks t h e n e w s a rr i v ed th a t C o n d é c o uld n o t r e t u r n
, ,

S pi n oz a t oo k h is dep ar t u r e H e h a d bee n o ff e r ed a pe n s i o n
.

if h e w o uld dedic a t e a b o ok to L o ui s XIV ; b u t S pi n o a . z

w a s n o t S t o upe— h e w a s n ot r e a dy t o s e r ve a ny m a st e r
f or h i r e H e de c li n ed t h e r eque st a n d r eturn ed to th e
.
,

H a gue .

T h e pe o ple a t t h e H a gue h a d in th e m e a n t ime g ot w ind , ,

o f S pi n o a s v i s i t t o t h e e n emy s c a mp Wi th m ob ch a r i ty
’ ’
z .

t h ey c o uld gi v e b u t o n e me a n i n g t o t h is —S pi n o z a wa s a v

sp y W h en th er e for e h e arr i v ed a t th e H a gue s c ow l s a n d

.
, , ,

s t o ne s gr ee t ed h is r e t u r n a n d V a n d e r S py c k w as a f a id t h a t
,
r

t h e m o b w o uld b r e a k in t o t h e h o u s e S pi n o a h o w eve r . z , ,

begged h im n ot to be afra id I a m inn ocen t h e sa id

.
“
, ,
 T HE L I FE OF SP I N O ZA l xxxi x
a nd so me of ou r le a di n g s tate s me n k no w w h y I w en t t o
U tr ec h t. As soo n a s t h e pe ople m a ke a n y n o i s e I s h a ll g o ,

o u t t o t h e m ev en if t h ey s h o uld d o t o me w h a t t h ey did t o
r ,

t h e g o o d d o Wi tt s I a m a go o d R epublic a n a nd my de si r e
.
,

is t h e g o o d of t h e R epubli c App a e ntl y S pi n oz a s f a n k

. r
’
r

a nd f ea r le ss be a r i n in t h e m o me n t O f d a n ge r r e a ss u r ed t h e
g
s u s pici o u s pe o ple a n d h e e s c a ped w i t h o u t h a r m
, .

Th e i n v i ta t i o n f r o m Pr i n ce C o n d é w a s n ot t h e o n ly
c ompli m e nt p a id t o S pi n oz a th a t ye a A m o r e imp or ta n t r.

i nvi tat i on h a d r e a c h ed h im in Feb r u a ry I t c a me f r o m t h e .

E lec tor Pa l a t i n e Kar l Lud w ig t h e b r o th e r o f t h e P i n ce ss

, , r

E liza be t h wh o h a d be f ie n ded De s c ar t e s
,
r Th e E lec t o r .

o ff er ed h im t h e Pr o fe ss o r s h ip o f P h il oso p h y a t t h e
U n ive r s i t y o f H eidelbe rg Th e i n vi t a t i o n c e rta i n ly h a d
.

c o n s ide r a ble a tt r a c t i o n s a nd ,
S pi n oz a c o n s ide r ed it f o r
a b o u t s ix w eek s . B u t in th e fi r s t pl a c e h e c ould n ot m a ke
, ,

up h is mi n d t o be c o me a public t e a c h er a fte r a l l t h e s e yea rs

o f h a bi t u a l quie t ude a n d r e t i r eme n t I n t h e s e c o n d pl a ce
.
,

h e h a d mi s gi v i n g s a b c t t h e s ta t eme n t m a de in t h e
a

i nvi ta t i on co n cer n ing t h e Pri n c e s c o n fide n c e th a t S pin oza

’

w o uld n ot m i s u s e h is f r eed o m in p h il o s op h ic a l t e a c h i n g t o
di st u rb t h e public r eligi o n I d o n ot k now [S pi n o a
. z

w ro t e] t h e li m i ts w i th i n w h ic h th e f r eed o m o f m y p h il o
so p h ic a l t e a c h i n g w o uld be c o n fi n ed if I a m t o a vo id a l l ,

a ppe a ra nce o f di s t u r bin g t h e publicly e sta bli s h ed r eligi o n .

R eligi o u s q u a r r el s d o n o t a r i s e s o mu c h f r o m a r de n t ze a l
f or r eligi o n a s f r o m me n s v a i o u s d i s p os i t i o n s a n d t h e l ov e
’
r ,

o f c o n tr a di c t i o n w h ic h m a ke s t h em h a bi tu a lly di s t o r t a n d

c o n dem n e veryt h i n g . I h av e expe r ie n c ed th e s e th i n gs

in my p r iva t e a n d s e c luded li f e h ow mu c h m or e s h o uld I ,

h a ve t o f e a r th em a f t e r my p r o m o ti o n t o t h i s p o s t o f h o n o u r .

S o h e a ck n o w ledged g ra ce fully th e Pr in c e s libe ra li ty in

’

o ff e r i n g h im t h e Pr o f e s s o r s h ip a n d de c li n ed it w i t h t h a n k s
,
.

Th e e c a n be n o d o ub t th a t it w a s t h e w i s e s t c o u r s e f or
r
, ,

bes ide s t he r e aso n s stat ed by S pin oz a h i ms el f it m u s t be ,

xc I N T RO D UC T I O N
r emembe red th at h e c ould s c ar cely t e ar h ims el f away from
h is n ume r o u s f r iend s in H o ll a nd a n d t h at th e c o u rs e of ,

eve n ts n h is fath e rl a n d ( as h is p ol i t ic a l w r i t i ngs sh ow )

i

t o uc h ed him t oo cl os ely t o pe r mi t o f h is g o ing a b roa d in

t h at c r i t ic a l pe r i o d M o r e ove r th o ugh h e m ay n ot h ave
.
,

a n t icip a t ed qui t e s uc h a n e a r ly e n d a s be f ell h im ( h e died

f o u r yea r s a f t er w ar d s ) y e t w i t h h is st at e of c on s ump t i o n h e
,

c ould s ca rc ely expect t o g row o l d .

T h a t S pi n o z a h a d a l a rge ci r cle o f f r ie n d s a n d a c
u a in t a n c e s t h e r e c a n be n o d o ub t t h o ugh t h e a s cendency
q ,

o f t h e o r t h o d o x a n d t h e e v il r epu t e o f his vie w s c o mpelled

pe o ple f o m sh eer p rude n c e t o keep quiet a b ou t th ei r

,
r ,

k now le d ge a nd a dmi ra ti on of h im O n e of h is m ost dev oted .

f r ie n d s a t t h e H a gue w a s a D r J M Lu c a s a medi c a l . . .
,

p ra c ti t i one r w h o s ub s e q ue ntly w r ot e th e olde st e xta n t

,

biogra p h y of S pi n oz a w h i c h b r ea th e s th e m ost a r de nt
,

a t t a c h me n t t o t h e p h il os o p h e r An oth er of h is me dica l .

f r iend s w a s D r G H S c h ulle r w h o p r a c t i s ed medici n e a t

. . .
,

Am ster d a m b ut a l so devot ed muc h t ime t o a lc h emy a n d

,

p h il os o p h y It w a s S c h uller w h o b rough t S pi noz a i n to

.

c o n ta c t w i th o n e of th e m ost p ro mi s i n g of t h e y ounge r
s cie n t i s ts ,
Ts c h ir nh a u s a nd th r o ug h h im a l s o w i t h t h e
, , ,

m ost emi n e nt p h il oso ph e r of th e next gene rati o n— Leib niz .

T s c hi n h a u s w a s a y o ung G e rm a n C o u nt w h o h a d s tudied
r

a t Leyde n I n 1 6 74 h e m a de t h e a cqu ai nta nce of S ch uller

.

a t A m st e r d m H a vi ng s tudied De s ca r t es h e w as i ntere s ted

a .
,

t o h e a r a l l a b o u t S pin o z a w i th w h o m h e s o o n s ta r t ed a c or
,

r e sp o nde n ce a n d a l s o c a me in t o pe r s o n a l c o n t a c t t ow a r d s
,

t h e e n d o f t h e s a me ye a r I n t h e f oll o w ing summe r 1 6 75

.
, ,

h e v i s i t ed L o n d o n w h e r e h e m e t O ldenbu r g a n d B oyle
, .

He a l s o v i s i ted Pa r i s in t h e s a me ye ar a nd o n th e a dvice , ,

o f S pin o za c a lled o n C h r i s ti a n H uygen s w h o h a d s e t tl e d in

, ,

Par i s s i n ce 1 6 6 7 a n d ( it is in t e r e st ing t o c omp ar e ) h ad

,

c on tinued to enj oy t h e p rofi ta ble p a tr o n age of L oui s XI V .

ev en du r ing th e yea rs of disast e r wh ic h t hat King had

 THE LI F E OF SP I N O ZA xc i

inflic ted o n th e Net h e r l and s w h ile S pi n oz a h a d declined

,

e ven to dedi c at e a b oo k t o h im f or th e sa ke of a pen s i on .

Th e s t ill i n te r e s t i n g c o rr e s p o n de n ce be tw ee n S pin oz a a n d
Tsc h ir n h a u s l a s t ed a b ou t tw o ye a r s I n 1 6 8 3 Ts c h ir n h au s
.

publi s h ed h is D e M edicina M entis de a li n g w i th the s a me ,

p roble m a s S pi n o a s Tre a tise on the I mprovement of the

z
’

Unders tanding a n d b o rr o w i n g s o m e o f it s ide a s

, But .

p r uden c e p r e ven t ed h im fr o m m e n t i on i n g S pi n oza t o wh o m ,

h e s imply r e f e r r ed a s qnidam (s o meb o dy ) .

Incide n ta lly Tsc h ir n h a u s s v i s i t t o L o nd o n led t o a r e

’

s ump t i o n o f t h e c or r e s p o nde n ce bet w ee n O lde n bu r g a n d

S pin oz a w h ic h s eem s t o h av e bee n d r o pped s ince 1 6 6 5

,
.

S pin oz a h a d s e n t a c o py o f h is Tr ac tatns The ol ogic o-P ol itic a s

t o O lde n bu r g w h o f el t r a t h e r s h o cked by it s h e t e r o d o x
,

vie ws a nd exp r e ss ed h imsel f a cc or dingly in a le tte r w h ich

,

m a y no t h av e r e a c h ed S pi n o z a b u t w h ic h in a n y c a s e , , ,

w o uld p r ob a bly n o t h a ve b r o ug h t a b o u t a r e n e w a l o f t h ei r
c orr esp onde n ce Th e a cc ou n t h ow e ve r wh ic h T sc h ir nh au s
.
, ,

gav e of S pi n oza a n d h is v ie w s s eem s to h a ve p r odu c ed a

c o ncili a tory e ff ec t on O ldenbu rg w h o th e r eup o n w r ot e ,

a n o t h e r le tt e r t o S pin o a s a ying t h a t a cl os e r c o n s ide r a t i o n

“
z ,

o f t h e w h o le s ubj ec t h a d c o n v inced h im t h a t h e ( S pin o z a )

w a s f a r f r o m a t t emp t ing a ny i n j u ry t o t r ue r eligi o n a n d

so und p h il o so p h y S pin oz a w h o h a d t a ken n o n ot ice of
.
,

t h e v ar i o u s r e f u ta t i o n s t r e at i s e publi s h ed by
“ ”
o f h is

v ari ou s pe o ple w a s n ev e rth ele ss a nxi ou s t o k n ow a n d t o

, ,

di s cu ss c are fully th e obj e c ti on s w h ich O ldenbu r g— or

, ,

indeed a ny r e ason a ble pe ople — h ad t o b ring aga i n st h is

,

vie ws I n the c o u rs e of h is in c r ea s i n gly sti ff le t t e r s it t u r n s

.
,

o u t th a t O ldenbu r g o bj ec t ed t o t h e en t i r e s ys t em of
S pin oz a s p h il o s op h y a n d t h at w h at h e w i s h ed S pin oza t o
’

d o w a s n ot h ing le ss t ha n t o w r i t e a ki n d of p h il o s o p h i c
a p ol oge tic o f or th o d ox C h r i s t i a ni ty ! S pin oza m a y w ell

h ave w o nde r ed w h et h e r O ldenbu rg was guil t y o f st upidi ty

o r o f h y p o c r i sy .
 I N T RO D UC T I O N
In th e me a n t ime S pi n oz a h a d fini sh e d his E thics a nd w a s ,

c o n t e m pl a t i n g it s immedi a t e public a t i o n He ment i o ned

.

t h i s t o O lde n bur g in a le tt e r w r i t t en a t t h e end of Ju n e

16
75. O lde n bu rg r eplied t h a t h e w ill n o t o bj ec t t o r e c e iv

ing a f e w c o pie s o f t h e s a id t r e a t i s e t o di s p os e of a m o ng
”

h is f r iend s b u t a s ked h im to s e n d t h e m in s uc h a w a y t h at
,

n o o n e m a y kn o w o f it a n d begged him
,
n o t t o i n s e r t a ny

p as s age s w h i c h m ay s ee m to di s c o u r a ge th e p ra ct ice of
r eligi o n a n d vi r t ue .

Ab ou t th e e n d o f July 1 6 76 S pi no za w en t t o Amst er da m
t o a rra nge f or t h e public a t i o n o f th e E thic a W h at h a ppened
.

t h e r e is be s t t o ld in S pi n o a s o w n w o r d s Wh ile I w as
’
z .

n eg o t i a t i n g [ h e w r i t e s t o O lde n bu rg] a r u m o u r ga i n ed

curre n cy th a t I h a d in th e p r e ss a b ook c o ncer n ing G od ,

w h e r ei n I e n de a vo u r ed t o s h o w th a t t h e r e is n o G od
,

Th i s r ep o rt w a s believed by m a n y Th e r eup o n ce r t a in
.

t h e o l ogi a n s per h a p s t h e a u th or s o f t h e r um o u r t o o k
, ,

o c c a s i o n t o c o mpl a i n o f me be f or e t h e Pr ince a n d th e

M agi stra tes M or e ove r th e stupid C ar te s i a ns bei ng

.
, ,

s u s pec t ed o f f a v o u r i n g me e n de a vo u r ed t o r em ove th e
,

a s pe r s i o n by a bu s i n g e v e ry w h e r e my O pini o n s a n d w r i t i n g s ,

a c o u r s e w h i c h t h ey s till pu rs ue Wh en I bec a me a w a re o f
.

t h i s t h r o ugh t r u st wo r th y m e n w h o a l s o a s s u r ed me t h a t
,

t h e th e o l ogi a n s w e r e e v e r y w h e r e lyi n g in w a i t f or me I ,

de t er mined t o p u t off publi sh i n g t ill I saw h ow t h ing s w e r e

go ing . B u t m a t t e r s s eem t o g e t w or s e a n d w o rs e a n d ,

I a m st ill u n cert a in w h at to d o .

O lde n bu rg mu st h a ve f el t in t en s ely r elieved by t h e ne ws

th a t t h e public at i o n o f t h e E thic a h a d bee n indefini t ely
p ostp o n ed Th e p oo m a n h a d c ha n ged indeed In h is
. r .

e a rly days h ear i ng of S pi noz a s h e s i ta ti o n to publi sh t he

,
’

e q u ally u n or th o do x S hort Trea tise he h ad begged S pin oza

,

t o ign or e th e pe tty th e ol ogi an s a nd to publi sh

“
C ome
.
,

g o o d s i [h e t h e n s a id] c a st awa y a l l f e ar o f exci ting ag a in s t

r
,

y o u t h e pigmie s o f our time Long en o ug h h a ve w e sa cri

.
xci v I N TRO D UC T I O N
m a nsh ip t h e s up r eme idea l o f a l l s tatecraft Th at ide a l
,
.

w a s t h e pe r f ec t i o n o f th e i n dividu a l c i t ize n Th i s w a s o nly .

a t t a in a ble w h e r e t h e r e w a s s ecu r i ty a n d f r eed o m And th e .

s up r eme du t y o f t h e S t a t e w as t o s ecu e t h e s e t w o c o ndi t i o n s

r .

Dem ocra cy w a s th e best for m o f gover n men t T h e ide al .

,

h o w e v er m a y a l s o be a pp r oa c h ed u n de r o t h e r f or m s o f
,

gove r nmen t B u t w h a teve r t h e exte n a l f or m ma y be (a nd

. r

S pi n oz a m u s t h a ve r e a li ed h is c o u n t r y s a lm o s t i rr ev o c a ble
’
s

d ri f t t ow ar d s m o n a c h y) l e t n o t t h e tr ue ide a l be f o rgot te n
r ,
.

E th ic a l Will a n d T e s ta men t
”
Th e P olitic al Tr e a tise w a s t h e
w h i c h S pi n o a le f t f o h is c o u n t r y
z r a n d it w a s a dyi n g h a n d

t h a t w r ot e it t o o l a t e t o fin i s h it
,
.

F ou r m onth s be for e h is de a th S pi n o a m a de th e perso n al z

a cqu a i n t a nce o f L eibni Ab ou t eigh t yea rs be f ore that

z.

a l r e a dy Leib n iz h a d r e a d S pi n o z a s ve r s i o n of De s c a rt e s
’ ’

P rincipia a n d in 1 6 7 1 h e h a d s e n t h im a c o py of h is
,
N otice “

o f th e Pr og e s s o f O p t i c s I n r e t u r n S pi n o z a s en t h im a
”
r .

c opy of h is Tra c ta tus The ol ogic o-P ol itica s Th is b ook w a s .

a l r e a dy k n o w n t o L eib n iz a n d h a d been de s c r ibed by h im a s

‘

a n unbe a ra bly f r ee -th i n king b oo k B u t h e did n ot kn o w

”
.

t ill t h en w h o its a u th or w a s n o r did h is t e a c h e r Pr o f e ss o r

, ,

Th om a s w h o h a d w r i tt en a r e f ut at i o n Leib n iz ”
o f it
“
.
,

w a n t ed t o c o mmunic a t e h is di s c o ve ry t o h is t e a c h e r w i t h ,

o ut h o w eve r di s cl o s ing m or e th a n his dipl o m a cy dic ta t ed

, , .

Th e a u t h or of t h e b oo k h e w r o t e is B enedic t S pin oz a
” “
, , ,

a
J e w ( my Du t c h f r iend s w r i t e me w o r d ) e x pelled f ro m th e
S yn a g ogue f or h is m o n s t r o u s o pi n i o n s b u t a ma n o f ,

u n ive rsa l le a r ning a n d e s pe c i a lly eminen t in O p t ic s a n d

, ,

in th e c on struc ti o n of ve r y fine t ele s c ope s I n 1 6 75 .

Leibniz wa s in Pa r i s a nd th e r e h e m e t Tsc h irn h a us wh o

, ,

h ad r ea d a m a n u s c r ip t c o py o f S pi n o za s E thics a nd n o w ’
,

c o mmu n ica ted s o me of S pi no za s vie ws to Leibniz ’

.

Leibniz g r e w e age r to r ea d th e E thics f or h ims el f an d ,

Tsc h irn h aus w r o t e t o D r S c h ulle r t o o b ta in S pin oza s

’
.

p e r mi ssi on t o sh ow Leibniz a c opy of th e E thic s B ut .

 TH E LI F E O F S P IN O ZA xcv
S pin oz a declined He h ad n o f a i th in Leibniz a nd h is
.
,

dist r u st wa s n ot un founded Wh at [a sked S pin oza] takes

.

Leibniz a wa y fr o m F ra nkfor t a n d w h at is h e d o i n g in ,

Pa r i s ? S pin o z a h a d r e a so n t o s u spe c t t h at Leib n iz w as

”

o n a mi ss i o n f or t h e r eu n i o n o f P r o t e s t a n ts a n d C a t h o lic s ,

w h ic h w ould le a d t o a j o i n t e ff or t t o r ep r e ss a l l l ibe a l r

t endencie s a n d t o s upp r e ss f r eed o m o f t h o ugh t a n d s peech

, ,

w h ic h w e r e s o n e a r t o h is h e ar t L eib n iz s at t i t ude t o w a r d s
’
.

th e s e t h i n g s w a s ce r ta inly unlike S pi n o z a s a n d h is s u b s e
’

quen t beh avi o u r t owa d s S pi noza r a th e r j u stified th at in

r

s t in c t ive d s tr u s t w i t h w h ic h S pi n o z a a t fi r s t m e t h im
i B ut .

wh en Leibni c a me t o t h e H a gue in t h e a u tumn o f 1 6 76

z
, ,

S pin oza s di s tr u s t a nd r e s e rve va ni sh ed Leibniz fr eque nt ly

’
.

vi s i t ed S pi noza in h is h umble l o dgings a nd th e r e ( as h e ,

h im s el f h a s le f t on r ec or d ) c onvers ed w it h h im O ften a n d
a t g r e a t le n g t h . H e a l s o ob ta i n ed a fir st-h a nd kn ow ledge
o f S pin o z a s E thic s t h e n Du r i n g t h e y ea rs wh ic h f o l l ow ed
’
.

Leibniz devo t ed cl os e att e n t i on t o t h e p h il o s o p h y of S pi noza ,

a n d even a s s im l a t ed s o me of h is ide a s
i b u t t h e r e wa s a ,

r em rk a ble l a c k o f c o m m o n gener o s i t y n o t t o s a
a c o m m on
y ,

h on e s t y b o t h in t h e w a y in w h ic h h e ge n e ra lly a v o ided a l l
,

r e f e r ence t o S pin o z a a n d a l s o in t h e t o n e o f h is r em a r ks
,

w h en o n r a r e o c c a s i o n s h e did r e f e r t o h im .

S pin o z a s d a y s w e r e e n ding f a s t D r S c h ulle r w r i t ing t o

’
.
.
,

Leibniz on t h e 6 th Feb r u a ry 1 6 77 exp r e ss e s h is f e ar t ha t

, ,

S pin o z a w ould n o t r em a in muc h l on ge r a m ong t h em a s his ,

c o ns ump ti on was gr ow i ng w ors e f r o m d ay t o day H e .

w a s o nly f or t y -f o u r ye a r s of a g e b u t h is c o n st i tu t i o n w a s
,

e nf eebled th r o ugh h e r edi tary c on s ump ti on a ggra v a t ed by ,

t h e gl a s s- d us t f r o m th e len se s a nd th e s eden tary ha bi ts of

,

th e s t ude n t A n d h e h ad lived s tr e n u o u s d a y s To th e ve r y
. .

l as t h e w a s up a n d d oing O n S at u r da y a ft e r n oon th e 2 0 th
.

Febr u ar y 1 6 77 h e w a s st ill d ow n sta ir s ch atting w i th t h e

,

Va n d e r S p yc k s B u t h e h a d a l r e a dy s en t f o r D r S c h ulle r
. .
,

a n d r e t i r ed e ar ly t o bed O n th e S unday m
. or ning D r . .
 xcvi I N T RO D UC T I O N
S h c ulle r ar r ived S pin oz a wa s up a n d a t midd ay had s o me
.
,

c h icken - b ro th wh ich t h e d oc to r h ad or de r ed f or h im T h e r e .

s eemed t o be n o i mm edi a t e d a n ge r a n d t h e Va n d e r S p y c ks
,

w e nt t o c h u r c h in t h e a ft e r n o o n O n t h ei r w ay h o me
.

t h ey w e r e i n f o r m ed t h a t S pi n o z a w as n o m or e H e h ad .

p assed a way at t h ree o cl oc k in th e p r e s e n ce of D r S ch ulle r

’
,
. .

F ou r d ay s l a ter S pi n o a w a s bu ied in th e Ne w C h u r ch
z r

o n t h e S puy w h i c h is qui t e n e a t o t h e P a vil yoensgra gt

'

,
r .

S ix c o a c h e s f o ll ow ed t h e c or tege a n d m a n y p io m in e nt ,
'

pe ople f o ll ow ed h im t o h is l a st e st ing-pl a c e wh ic h w a s r ,

cl os e to th at of Jan de Wi t t O f w ord l y p oss e ss i o n s h e l eft

’

ver y l i ttle be h i n d h im a n d t h at ch iefly in th e w ay o f b ooks

,
.

D r S c h ulle r t oo k p os s e s s i o n o f s o me o f t h e m o s t v a lu a ble
.

Of t h e s e a nd eve n th en t h e r e s t ill r em a ined a b out 1 6 0

,

wor k s (s o me of t h em qui t e c o s t ly) t h e li st o f w h ic h h a s ,

f o r t u n a tely bee n p e s e r ved a n d c o pie s o f n e a r ly a l l o f t h em

r

a r e n o w in t h e S pi n o a Mu s eum a t R ij ns bu g
z Th e p r o r .

c oed s of th e se a n d of so m e len s e s w h ic h h e a l s o le ft be h i n d
, ,

w er e j u s t e n ou g h t o de fr a y a l l h is deb ts a n d t h e c os t of
bu i l th o ug h h is gr a ve w a s b u t a h i r ed g r a ve a n d w as
r a —
,

u s ed aga i n s o m e ye ar s af t e r his de ath .

In a cc o r d a n ce w i th S pi n oza s i n str uct i on s his de sk c on

’

, ,

t a i n ing t h e m a n u s c rip t s o f h is u npubli s h ed w ork s w as ,

en tru st ed t o th e c a r e o f Ja n R ie u w e r ts t h e A m s ter dam b o ok z,

s elle r . I mme d i at e publi c at i on s eemed t o be d a nger ou s f or

publi sh er a n d edi t ors a n d w h e n th ey h a d t he c o u r a ge t h ey
h a d n ot t h e m o n ey t o p r o ceed w i th t h e p r i n t i n g F or a .

t ime t h ey t h o ug h t o f s elling th e m a nu s cr ip t of t h e E thic a t o

Leib n i i n t endi n g n o d o ub t t o a pply th e p ro ceeds towa r ds

z,

t h e c os t o f p r i n t ing it f r o m o n e o f th ei r o w n c o pie s of th at
w or k . S ch uller h a d a l r e a dy c o mmunic at ed w i th Leibni z

a b o u t it b u t a t t h e l a s t m o me n t s o me o n e a t t h e H a gue
,

c a m e t o t h e r e s c ue a n d a s e ar ly a s N ov embe r 1 6 pi no z a s
'
, 77 S
Op era P osthu ma a ppe a r ed in p r i n t It c o n si st ed o f o ne qu a rto
.

v o lume a n d c o n t a i n ed th e E thic s t h e P olitic a l Tre a tise t h e

, , ,

Tre a tis e on the I mp rove men t f

o the Unders tan ding , th e Letters ,
S T AT UE O F S P I NO Z A A T TH E H A GUE
 THE L I FE OF SP IN O ZA xcvii
a nd th e Heb rew Gra mmar All n a m es a n d o th e r me a n s of
.

ide ntifica ti o n h ad been c a re f ully r em oved fro m th e c orr e

s p o n d e n c e ; t h e edi t or s n a me s a s a l s o t h e n a me of t h e pub
’

li sb e t a nd th e pl a ce of publica ti o n w e re n ot gi ve n ; a n d
o n ly t h e i n i t i a l s o f S pi n o za D ppe a r ed o n t h e t i t le
( B S ) a . . .

p age Th e edi tor s w er e Jelle s ( wh o a ppear s t o h a ve w r itten

.

t h e Pr e fa c e ) Meye r a n d S c h ulle r ; a n d t h e edi t or i a l w o k

, ,
r

s eem s t o h a v e bee n c a r r ied o n s e c r e t l in o n e o f t h e r o om s

y
o f t h e O r p h a n A s ylum w h ic h h a d j u s t been e s t a bli s h ed in
,

Am s te r da m by so me o f S pi no za s C o llegi a nt fr ie n d s It was ’
.

a t th i s O r p h a n A sylum i ill in e i e n ce ) t h a t s o me
( w h c h is s t x s t
o f t h e o r igi n a l s o f S pi n o a s le tt e r s w e r e s ub s equen t ly d is
’
z

c ove r ed w i th edi tor i a l pe n cil -n otes o n th e m

, .

Tw o h und r ed ye a r s l a t e r a r e ma r k a ble c o n tra s t t o th i s

s ec r ecy wa s w i t n e ss ed w h e n t h e w h o le le a r n ed w o r ld j o i n ed
,

in celebr at i n g th e me m or y o f S pi n o a I n 1 8 8 0 h is t at ue z . s

w a s e r ec t ed in t h e H a gue w i th i n v ie w o f b ot h h o u s e s w h e r e
,

h e h a d li v ed h is l a s t ye a r s A n d a n e w c o mple te edi t i o n o f
.
,

h is w or k s w a s publi s h ed in 1 8 8 2 c o n t a i n i n g a p o r t ra i t e s pe
,

c ia l l y e n g ra v ed fr o m t h e p a i n t i n g in t h e lib r r y a t Wo l f e n a

b utt el wh e r e Les s i ng p oe t p h il oso p h e r a n d c h a mpi o n of

, , , ,

t h e ill -u s ed h ad ne a r ly a cen tu r y be f or e t h a t t a ken t h e fi r s t

, , ,

s t ep s t o w a r d s t h e due r e c o g n i t i o n o f S pi n o z a Th e t r ibu t e .

p a id t o h is mem ory w a s w or ld -w ide a n d it w a s w ell

de se rved For th er e is c o n s idera ble t ru th in H eine s w i tt y
.
’

s a yi n g t h a t a l l o u r m ode r n p h il o so p h e rs t h o ug h of t e n ,

pe rh ap s u n c on sci o u s ly s e e thr o ugh t h e gl a ss e s w h ic h

,

B a r u c h S pin oza g ro und .

§9 . THE C HA RA C T E R OF SP I N O ZA
I n att emp t i n g t o f o r m a n e st ima t e of th e charac ter of
S pin oz a o n e s h o uld be guided by w h a t is a c t u a lly k n ow n
,

a b o u t h im f r o m t h e di r ec t e v idence o f t h os e w h o kne w h im

pers on a lly Th e r e is a n at u ra l t empta ti o n to j u d ge h is

.
xcviii I N TR O D U C T I O N
per so n ality by deduc ti on s fr om h is view s a s s e e n throug h
o n e s o w n s pec ta cle s
’
Bu t it is n o t t oo muc h to say th a t of
.
,

t h e t w o a l t er n a t ive c o u r s e s it is f ar m o r e s a f e t o in t e r p r e t th e
,

p h il osop h y of S pi n oza in th e ligh t o f w ha t is independen tly

k n ow n a b o u t h is li f e a n d c h ara c t er th an t o es t ima t e his
c h a ra ct e r in th e ligh t o f ce r ta i n deducti on s fro m a n inde
penden t i nte rp r e t ati on O f h is view s Dur ing h is li f etime .

S pin oz a w as of t e n c on d em n ed a n d vilified o n t h e s c or e o f
h is o pini o n s a n d o n a cc o u n t of de f ec t s w h ic h it w as t a ci t ly
, ,

a s s umed t h e s e r eve a led in h is c h a r a c t e r

,
Th e r e is r e as o n .

t o believe t h a t b u t f or his de a th S pi n oz a s fa te mig h t

’

, ,

h a ve bee n v e r y muc h li k e t h a t o f Koe r b a g h A f te r h is de a th .

,

it w as c o n s ide r ed a c r ime to s ay a n y t h i n g go o d a b o u t S p i
n oza a n d f or m or e th a n a ce n t u ry a f te r wa r d s his n a me w as
,

a na thema mara na tha E ven pe o ple w h o w e r e n ot t o o s en s i

.

t ive t o his c r i t ici s m o f th e B ble f el t t h a t a ma n wh o m a in

i

f a i n ed t h e r el a t ivi t y of g o o d a n d evil a n d believed in ,

u n i vers a l n ecess i ty h a d n o i n ce n tive t o be g oo d a n d th e r e

, , ,

f or e w a s ve r y likely b a d S uc h a n in t e r p r e ta t i o n a n d d e d uc
,
.

t i o n w e re t o sa y th e le as t ve r y o n e s ided a n d t o wa r d s t h e end
, ,
-
, ,

o f t h e eig h t een t h c e n t u r y it s a b s u r di ty w a s exp o s ed by t h e n o

,

le ss o ne -s ided vie w w h i c h by l ayi ng exclu s ive s tre ss on th e

,

in tellec tu a l l ov e of God a n d ki n dr ed d o ctr i n es of S pin oz a ,

t ra n s f or med h im i n t o a G o d-i n t oxic a t ed s a in t .

I f w e t u rn t o t h e m a i n f a c t s o f S pi n o za s li f e a n d t o th e
’
,

r ec or ded j u d gmen t s of t h e pe o p l e w h o k ne w h im pe r s o n a lly ,

t h e r e c a n be n o d o ub t t h at S pin o z a t h o ug h n o t a s a in t in,

t h e a ccep t ed s en s e o f t h e exp r e s s i o n w as ce r ta i n ly o n e of ,

t h e fine s t c h a r a c te rs o f w h ic h t h e h i s to ry of p h il oso ph y c a n
b oa st Th e d o min a n t f e a t u r e in h is c h ar a ct e r w a s h is dev o
.

t i o n t o th e pu r sui t o f t r u th F o r it h e w a s eve r r e a dy t o
.

m ake al l s a cr ifi c e s Nei th e r b r ibe s no r t h r e ats c ould in a ny

.

w a y s educe h im fr o m th at pu r s ui t A n d b e r e a dily sa cr i
.

fic e d h is pe r s o n a l c o m f o r t in or de r t h a t h e mig h t h ave
mo ney for b ooks a n d t ime f or st udy To h im th e p urs uit
, .
 IN TRO D UC T I O N
lence we r e not g r e at S t ill w h a t li ttle h e p o ss e ss ed was
.

a t t h e s e r vice o f h is f r iend s Wh en i n f or med t hat a c on

.

s id e ra b l e s u m o f m o ney w h ic h h e h a d le n t in t h i s w a w as
, y ,

l o st b e me r ely r em a rked q uie t ly a n d w i th a smile th at h e

, , ,

w o uld h a ve t o d ra w in h is e xpe n s e s f o r t h e f u t ur e Wea l th .

a n d p os i t i o n h a d n o u n due a tt ra c t i o n f o r h im He w ould .

n o t f o r t h ei r s a ke bind o r bli n d h is j udg m e n t by a ccep ti n g

t h e H eidelbe r g p r o f e s s ors h ip o r e v e n a ppe ar to d o so by

,

p ayi n g a f orm a l c o m plime n t t o a m o n ar c h w h o se a i m s a n d

me t h o d s h e c o n dem ned I n t h i s r e spe c t h e s too d h e a d a nd
.

s h o ulde r s a b v e s o me o f h is m o s t emi n en t c o n t emp o r a r ie s

o

in th e w o r ld of s cience B u t t h o ug h o f a n i n depe n de n t
.

s pi r i t h e w a s n ei t h e r p r o ud n o r c o ld a n d r e s e r ved He .

m e t h a l f -w ay a n d m o r e a l l pe o ple w h o o ff e r ed h im t h ei r
, ,

f r iend s h ip .H e s h ow ed w o nde f ul p a t ie n c e w i th t h e m ost

r

medi oc r e pe o ple w h o t u r n ed t o h im w i th th ei r difficul t ie s

a n d h e w as ki n dly t o t h e h u m ble st A m id a l l t h e a ccu sa .

t i o ns b r o ug h t a g a in s t S pi n o z a n o s peci fic c h ar ge w a s e ve r
,

m a de ag ai n st his m o r a l c h a ra c t e r I t w a s a l w ay s h is h er e .

t ic a l v ie ws a n d h is c h a ra c t e r a s deduced a priori f r o m th e s e
,

vie w s by t h e inge n u ity of le a r ned p arso n s th a t w er e flung

“
,

a t h is h e a d Th i s is r em ar k a ble in i ts el f a n d is a mply c o n
.
,

fir m ed by C ol e ru s th e Lu th e ra n p a st or wh o t h ough h e
, , ,

c o n s ide r ed S pin o z a s h e r e s ie s t o be a b o mi n a ble a n d m os t

’

o u t r a ge o u s h a s n e v e r th ele s s m a de it pe r f ec tly cle ar t h a t

,

S pi n oz a s m o ra l s w e r e un a ssa il a ble Th e pe asa n ts a t R ij n s

’
.

b u r g an d V o o r bu rg w e are e xp r e s s ly t o ld ag r ee d t h a t h e w as
, ,

a ma n w h o m it w a s g o o d t o k n o w k i n d up r ig h t o bliging , , , ,

a n d o f g o o d m or a l s P e ople o f cul t u r e f el t a peculi a r c h ar m

”
.

in h is p r e s ence a nd m e n o f h is o w n ag e a n d eve n o lde r

, ,

men l oo ked up on h im w i th th e r e spect of di sciple s We

,
.

h av e s ee n a l r e a dy w h a t imp r e ss i o n h e m a de o n O ldenbu r g
a n d t h e S eig n eu r de S t E vr e m o n t w h en t h ey c a me in t o p e r
.

so n a l t o uc h w i th h im T h e a cc ou n t w h i c h w e h a ve f r o m D r
. .

L u c a s w h o k n e w S pi n o z a i n t i m a t el y n t h e H a gue b e a t h e s
,
i ,
r
 TH E L I FE O F S P I N O ZA ci
a s pi ri t of the u t most venera ti on And m any wh o h ave on ly
.

r e a d h is wr i t ing s h av e f el t th em s elve s in t h e p r e s ence o f a n

unc omm on m ora l a t m osp h er e o f u tte r u n se l fish n e ss a nd

di sin ter e sted n ess a nd a b o u n dle ss f a i th in h uma n goodne ss
, .

S pin oz a w a s n ot a s a in t H e did not believe in t u r ning

.

t h e c h eek t o th e s mi t e r No r w as h e s o o th e r-w o r ldly a s t o

.

des pi s e th e w or ld a nd th e fle sh He c ould s ay h ar d th i ng s
.

a g a i n s t in so len t ig n o ra m u s e s a n d h e r e t ic -
h un t e r s h e ne v e r
quit e f or got th e w rong d o n e t o h im by h is ki ns men a nd
h is t r ibe ; a nd in t h e h e at o f c o n flic t h e even f org ot t o
, ,

p a u se f or a m o men t in or de r t o a ckn ow ledge s ome o f th e

me ri t s o f th e Law a nd th e Pr op h e ts H e wa s h uma n a n d
.
,

w as i n fluenced by em ot i on s to a f a r g r e a t e r ext en t t h a n is
s upp os ed by t h o s e w h o e xa gge r a t e h is i n t ellec t u a li s m be ,

c a u se th ey deduce h is ch ara c te r f r o m certa i n a spects of h is

p h il os o p h y H e c ould be a ngry w i th imm ora li ty a nd l n
.

t o le ra nce a n d h e f el t inj u r ed by u n me r i t ed s u s pici o n

,
He .

l a ugh ed t o se e di vi n e s excel th e d evil by th ei r w ile s ; a n d

h e w ep t o ver t h e t r a gic fa t e o f t h e de Wi tts H e w a s n ot
.

even a n a s cet ic Th o ugh extr a or di na r ily a b st emi ou s in h is

.

m ode of li f e — living o n a fe w pe n ce a d ay a nd w i th a pipe

f or his o nly luxu y t h i s w a s m a inly due t o his ci r cum
r —

s ta nce s . H is des i r e f or independence a n d h is dev ot i o n t o

b ooks m a de it imp os s ible f or h im t o e a rn s u fficie nt to in
d u l g e in th e o r din a r y c o m f or t s o f li f e a n d s o a b stemi o us
,

n e ss g ra du a lly be c a m e a h a bi t w i t h h im B ut h e h ad no
.

c o n temp t f or t h e r eas on a ble ple a s u r e s or j oy s o f li f e I .

“

enj oy li f e [h e w rot e] a n d try to live it n ot in s orr ow a nd ,

s igh i n g b u t in pe a ce j oy a n d c h ee rf ulne ss And thos e ”

.
, , ,

w h o kne w h im h a v e c o nfi r med t h e t r u th o f th i s He c ould .

n ot unde rs t a n d h o w a ny o n e c o uld find or im agine t h a t ,

G od w o uld find a n y vi r t ue in s ig h s a nd t e ars a n d t h e like

, , .

N o th ing [he in s i sts] b u t a gl oomy a n d sad s upe r s ti t ion for

bid s enj oymen t Indeed w h at h e h a d in th e fi r s t in sta nce
.
”
, , ,

so ug ht in p h il os o p h y wa s guid a nce in t h e a t ta inmen t o f

cii I N TR O D U C T I O N
h a ppine ss . It wa s not, in the cas e of De scart es di s co n te nt
as ,

w it h th e th en s tat e o f k n ow ledge t h at d r ov e h im t o p h il os o p h y ,

b u t di s c o n t en t w i t h t h e o r din a ry pu rs ui ts a n d ple as u r e s of li f e ,

bec au s e th ey f a iled to bring a biding h a ppi n ess T h i s is evident .

f r o m t h e opening p ass a ge of h is Trea tise on the I mprovement

of the Unders ta n din g a l r e a dy q u o t ed a b ove
,
He h ad t u r n ed .

t o p h il oso p h y f or guid a nce in t h e pu rs ui t o f h a ppine s s a n d ,

f o und h is h a ppine ss in t h e pu rs ui t of p h il os o ph y .

O n t h e o th e r h a nd th e r e w a s ce r ta inly s o me th ing o f t h e
,

h igh e r my s t ici s m a b o u t S pin o z a I t w ould be a mi st a ke t o

.

emp ty his r eligi ou s te r mi nol o gy o f a l l its r eligi ou s me a ning .

We a re tr e nch i ng h ere o n a di fficul t q ues t i o n of i nte r p r e ta

t i o n a n d w e d o n o t w i s h t o d og m a t i s e
,
S t ill it s h ould n ot .

be f org ott e n t hat th o ugh c o nvinced of t h e tr u th of h is

,

p h il osop h y S pi n oz a w as f ar f ro m s upp osing th at it w as th e

,

w h o le t r u th Th e r e w e r e b u t f e w th i n g s e v en in t h e w o rld
.
,

o f ext en s i o n a n d t h o ug h t o f w h ic h h e p r of e s s ed t o h a ve
,

t h e h ig h e st kind of kn ow ledge ; w h ile be s ide s ex t en s i on ,

a n d t h o ug h t th e r e w e r e i n fini t e a s pec t s o f t h e u n i v e r s e ( or
,

a t tr ibu t e s o f s ub s ta n ce) o f w h ic h h e a v o w edly h a d n o k n o w

ledge w hate ve r He f el t m o re th a n h e sa w An d t h ough

. .

h e l ov ed t o live in t h e cle a r c o m m o n lig h t of d ay a nd

, ,

h a t ed t h e bigo tr y a n d s upe r st i t i o n t ha t lu r k in t h e s h a d o w s
o f t h e tw ilig h t y e t h e f el t t h e gl o w o f t h e p r e s e n ce t h a t
,

d w ell s in th e s e tt ing su n even if h e w a s not a bs or bed in vi si ons

,

o f a lig h t t h a t ne ve r s h o ne o n l a n d o r s e a I t w a s s ome .

t h i n g o f t h i s my st ic f eeling th a t p r o mp t ed his r eligi o u s

l a ngu a ge a n d g a ve t o h is pe rs o n a li ty th a t c h ar m w h ic h
,

w o n a l l w h o c a me ne a r h im I t a l s o w on f or h im t h e s ym
.

p ath y o f p o ets like Go e th e a n d Le s sing C o ler idge a n d ,

W or d sw or th j u st a s h is c a lm s cient ific o u t l ook h as m a d e

,

h im a f a vo u r i t e w i th men of s cience H is m ora l ar d o u r s eem s .

a lm o s t a gl ow w i t h t h i s my s t i c fi e a n d if w e ma r
y not c a ll
, ,

h im a p r ie st o f th e m os h ig h G o d ye t h e wa s ce rta inly a
t
,

p roph et of th e p ow er wh ich makes for r ighte o u s ne ss .

civ IN T RO D UC T I O N
a ctu ally p oss e sse d a ma nu script c opy of what is now call e d
t h e S hort Trea tis e b u t w h ic h w as t h en n ot unn a t u ra lly
,

r eg ar ded s imply a s a n e a r ly d r a f t o f t h e E thics .

I n 1 70 3 Gott lieb S tolle ( 1 6 73 1 744 ) —a S iles i an wh o w as

,
—

a pp o in t ed Pro f e s s o r o f P oli t ic a l S cience a t J e n a in 1 1

7 7
a n d a D r H al l m a n n t r a velled t h r oug h H o ll a nd w h e e t h ey
.
,
r

in te r view ed v ar i ou s pe o ple w h o h a d kn ow n S pin oza Am on g .

o th e rs t h ey s a w R ie u w e r t sz a t A m s t er d a m R ie u w e r ts z ga ve
.

t h em s ome pe r s on a l r emini s ce n ce s o f S pi n o z a f or w h o m ( s o ,

t h ey r el at e ) h e s h ow ed unc o mm o n aff ec ti o n a n d w i th t e ar s , ,

in h is eye s w i s h ed t h at S pin oza w e r e s t ill a live

, R ie uw e r t sz .

a l s o s h o wed t h em s evera l m a nu s c r ip ts of S pin o z a s w or k s

’

a nd a m ong th em w a s on e a pp a r en t ly wr i tt en in S pin oz a s
’

own h a nd w r i t ing . Th i s (a cc or ding t o H a l l ma n n ) w a s n o

o th e r t h a n S pin o z a s fi rst Du t c h v e r s i o n o f th e E thic a
’
, it was
qui t e di ff e r en t f r om th e publi s h ed E thic a— not w or ked ou t
in th e ge ome tr ic me th od b ut in th e or di na ry w ay a nd
,
“

divided into ch ap ters like th e Tra cta tus Theol ogic o-P ol itica s
,

R ie uw e r tsz ass u r ed th em th a t t h e p r in ted E thic a w a s v e r y

much be tter t h an th i s m a nu s c r ip t ve rs i on th ough th e l at ter ,

c o n ta i n ed s ome t h i ngs wh i c h w er e o mi tt ed f rom th e former ,

n otably th e c ha p ter o n th e De vil S eve ra l fr iend s of.

S pi n o za sa id R ie u w e r tsz h a d C O p Ie S o f t h a t m a n u s c r ip t
, , ,

w h ic h h a d ne ve r been p r i nt ed bec a u s e t h e Lat in ve r s i o n ,

w h ic h h a d been publi sh ed w as a l t oge th e r s upe r i or a n d h a d

,

been w ell edi t ed Th e s to ry is n ot a l toge th e r f r ee fr o m

.

di f cul ties B u t it und o ubtedly give s u s a n explici t

fi .

r e f e ence to th e s o -
r c a lled S hort Trea tise S tolle a n d H a ll
.

m a nn s ac cou nt of t h ei r t ra vel s w r i tte n in 1 704 w a s n ot

’

, ,

publi sh ed t ill b u t S to lle r epe at ed h is i n f or m at i o n a b o u t

th e S hort Tr ea tise in his B r ief I ntr odu c tion t o the History of
Lea rning w h ic h w a s publi sh ed in 1 7 1 8
,
Th e s t o r y a b o u t t h e
.

Du t ch E thic s a nd t h e c ha p t er o n th e Devil w as r epeated by

E x t rac t s from S t ol l e Hall m ann s R e ise b e sc hre i b u ng a re g iv e n in F rou
- ’

d e nt hal s D ie Le b e n sg e s c hiohte S pinozas , pp 2 2 1 fi

’
. .
 H I S TO R Y O F T H E S HOR T TRE A TI S E cv
J.F . Re im m a n n ( ) in
1 6 6 8 - 1 74 3
h is C a ta l og u e of Th e ol o ic a l
g
B ooks w h ic h w a s publi s h ed in 1 73 1 a l s o by J C M y l iu s in
'

, , . .

his L ibr ary of A n onymou s a nd P s eudony mou s A uthor s w h ic h ,

w a s publi sh ed in 1 740 Th e s e n o t ice s h ow eve r d o n ot

.
, ,

s eem t o h a ve a t tr a c t ed a n y a tt e n t i o n S pin oza h a d s uc h a n

.

evil r epu ta ti o n a m o ng r e spec ta ble s ch ol a rs ( i n cludi ng S tolle

a n d R e im m a n n th a t t h e r e w a s n o a nxie t y t o di sc o ve r o r
)
r ec ove r a n y o f h is u n publi sh ed w ork s t h e publi s h ed o ne s ,

being c on s ide r ed m or e th a n e n o ugh I n th e l a tte r h a l f of .

t h e eig h teen t h c e n tu ry w e o b s e rv e indeed s o me s ig n s of a n

, ,

a c t i ve in t e r e s t in S pin o z a r em a i n s C T de Mu r r o f . . .
,

Niirn b e r g vi s i t ed H oll a nd in s e ar c h o f S pin o z a r elic s

,
He .

bro ugh t ba ck w i th him a L at in m a n u sc r ip t c opy of

S pin oza s n ot e s t o t h e Tr a c ta tu s Theol ogic o-P ol itic a s a nd a
’

r ep o r t t h a t S pin o z a s E thic a w a s o r igin a lly w r i t t e n in Du t c h

’

a n d c on t a ined a c h a p t e r o n t h e Devil t ha t h e t h en t ra n s ,

l at ed it in to Lat in th row ing it a t t h e s am e t ime in to

,

ge o metr ic f orm ow i n g t o w h ic h a nd o th e r a l te ra t i on s it
,

wa s r e tr a n sl a t ed f r o m th e La t in in t o Du t c h by Jar ig J elle s .

F or a b o u t a ce n t u ry t h e m a tt e r r e st ed t h e r e .

In 1 8 5 1 E d w ar d B o e h me r Pr o f e ss or o f Ph il os o p h y a t
,

H a lle w en t to H o ll a n d a l s o in s earch o f S pin oz a ra r i t ies

, , .

A t Am s t e r d a m h e b oug ht f ro m F M ulle r a w ell -kn ow n .

,

books eller th er e a c opy of th e Life of S pinoza by C ol e r us

, .

S ec t i o n 1 2 o f C ol e r u s Life of S p in oza tr e a t s ve r y b r iefly o f

’

th e p h il oso p h e r s unpubli sh ed w r i ti n g s a nd B o e h me r s
’ ’
,

c opy h ad a m a n u sc r ip t n ote ( in Dut ch) t o th i s s ec ti on ,

s a ying t h a t a m o ng ce r ta in v o ta r ie s o f p h il oso p h y t h e r e w a s

s t ill ex ta n t in m a nu s c r ip t a tr e atis e of S pin oz a w h ic h

, , ,

t r e a ts of th e s a me s ubj ec t s a s t h e p r in t ed E thic a t h o ug h ,

n o t in t h e ge o me t r ic me t h od a n d t h a t it s s tyle a n d gene ra l
,

d rif t sh ow it to be on e of th e earlie st of S pin oz a s w r i tings ’

in fa c t th e fi r st d raft of t h e E thica a nd f or so me pe ople ,

le ss ob s cu r e tha n th i s j u st bec a u s e it is n ot c a st in t h e
,

ge ometric f or m excep t to a ve ry s mall ex tent in th e

,
 I N T RO D UC T I O N
Appendix to th e trea tis e And a t t h e e n d O f th e s a me c opy
.

o f C o l e r u s L ife of S p inoza t h e r e a c t u a lly f o ll ow ed a fa i r ly

’

c o mplet e an a lys is o f t h e S hort Trea tise ch ap te r by c h a p ter , ,

a n d w r i tt e n in t h e s a me h a n d a s t h e n ot e t o s ec ti o n 1 2 .

B o e h me r publi sh ed h is B enedic ti de S p in oza Tra c ta tu s de

D e o et H amine j
e u squ e F el ic ita te Linea menta in 1 85 2, a nd a

ne w i mpet u s w as giv e n to th e s ea r c h f or th e S hort Trea tise .

No t l o n g a ft e rw ar d s a m a nu s c r ip t c o py o f t h e S hort
Tr ea tise i t s el f c a me t o lig h t F M ulle r th e s a me b ook s elle r
. .
,

f r o m w h o m B o e h mer h a d g ot his c o py o f t h e C o l e r u s ,

b o ug h t t h i s m a n u s c r ip t o f th e S hort Trea tise at a n a uc t i o n .

A n d w h ile D r J va n V l ot e n w a s p r ep a r i n g t o publi sh it
. .

t oge th e r w i th s o me S pi n o a le tt e r s w h i c h h a d bee n d is
z ,

c o ve red a t t h e C ollegia nt O r p h an A s yl um in A m st e r da m a ,

s e c o n d ( a n d o lde r ) m a n u s c r ip t o f t h e S h ort Tre a tise w a s

di s c ov er ed Th e p oe t Ad r i a n B og ae rs of R ott e r d a m
.
, , ,

f o u n d it a m on g h is b o ok s Th i s ( t h e o lde r ) m a n u s cr ip t is
.

ge n e a lly r ef e rr ed t o a s c o dex A t h e oth e r a s c o dex B

r ,
.

Th e fir s t edi t i o n o f t h e S hort Trea tise w as publi sh e d in ,

1 86 2 ,
by D r J va n Vl o te n in h is A d B en edic ti de S pinoza
. .

Op era quw S up ers unt O mn ia S u p p l ementu m I t w a s b a s ed .

o n b o t h t h e m a n u s c r ip t s a n d w a s a c c o mp a n ied by a L a t i n
,

t ra n s l a t i o n. A m or e c ar e f ul edit i on o f c odex A w as
publi sh ed in 1 8 6 9 by Pr of e ss or C S ch aa r s ch midt of B on n
.
, ,

a n d a l s o by V a n V l o t e n a n d La nd in t h ei r edi t i on s o f t h e

c omplet e w ork s o f S pi n oza ( 1 8 8 2 B o th m a nu s c r ip t s

,

a r e n o w in th e R oy a l Lib r a r y a t t h e H a gue .

§ 2 . THE H I S TO R Y O F T HE MAN U S C R I PTS

W h en C odex B w a s di s c overed it w as f ou n d th a t the
h a ndw r i t i n g w as t h e sa me a s t h a t o f th e n ot e s a n d ou t
“

lin e in B oe h mer s c opy of C ol e rus Life of S pinoza a n d

’ ’

,
 H I S TO R Y O F T H E S HOR T TR E A TI S E cix
Dr . Ant o niu s va n d e r L inde h a d a l r e a dy sh ow n t h at th e
h a nd wr i t ing in B o e h me r s C o l e r u s w a s p r eci s ely t h e s a me
'

a s t h at o f v a r i ou s m a nu sc rip ts w h ic h w e r e kn ow n to h a v e
bee n c opied by J oh a n ne s M o nnikh off a n Amst er da m d octor ,

w h o w as b or n in 1 70 7 a n d died in 1 78 7 Pr eceding t h e
.

S hort Tr ea tise in c o de x B is a l o n g i n tr o duc t i o n in w h ic h

r e f e r ence is m a de t o t h e ye a r 1 4 3 so t h a t th i s O o py c o uld
7 ,

n o t h a ve been w r i t t e n be f o r e t h e n Th e sa me c o dex a l s o
.

c on ta i ns a t t h e e n d Notes t o the Tra c ta tu s Theol ogic o

, ,

P ol itic u s a l l o f t h em in t h e s a me h a nd wr i t i n g
,
Th e I n t r o
.

du c t i o n s eems t o be t h e c omp os it i o n of M on nikh off w h ile ,

t h e S hort Tr ea tis e a n d th e N ote s w e r e evide n t ly c o pied by

him . Th at t h e h a n d w r i t i n g is t h a t o f M o nn ik h off is ce r ta in
f r o m th e f a c t th a t s eve ra l m a n u s c r ip ts a t t h e H ague Lib r ar y
, ,

w r i tt en in e xa c t ly t h e sa me h a n d h ave i n t r o duc t i on s w h ic h
a re s igned by h im .We r ep r o duce f o m o n e o f t h es e r

m anu s cr ipts a f a c s imile o f s o me v e rs e s s ig n ed by J oh a nne s

M o n n ikh off f or c o mp a r i s o n w i th t h e f a c s i m ile s o f s ever a l
,

p a ge s f rom c o dex B Acco ding to F M ulle r th e b o ok

. r .
,

s elle r w h o di s c o v e r ed it c o dex B o f th e S hort Tr ea tise

,

a c c o mp a n ied a Du t c h m a n u s c r ip t t ra n s l a t i o n o f S pin oz a s
’

v e rs i o n o f De s c a r t e s B u t o f t h i s th e r e is n o
’
P r in c ip ia .

s ig n in t h e p a rc h me n t - bo u n d qu ar t o v o lu m e wh ic h c o nt ai n s
s imp l y a n I ntr odu c tion o n t h e li f e a n d w r i t i n gs o f S pi n o z a ,

t h e S hort Trea tise , and the Notes to the Tra c ta tu s The ol og ic o

P ol itic u s— no m o e O n th e ba ck of t h e volume
r .
,
h ow ever ,

the t i tle is o bvi o u s ly i n c omple t e I t sa y s

.

a nd e r e is evident ly mi s s ing a s ec o n d v olume

th ha ving on

its ba ck t h e r e st o f t h e w h ole t i tle n a mely ,

 cx I N TRO D UC T I O N
Th i s is h igh ly p r ob a ble beca u s e in a n oth e r t wo-volume,

m a nu s cr ip t c opied a l so by M on n ikh off th e t i tle o f th e w ork

is s imil ar ly s p r e a d ov e r t h e b a c k s o f t h e t w o v o lume s An d .

it is p os s ible th a t t h e mi s s i n g v o lume m a y h av e c o n t a i n ed
t h e P r in c ip ia o r pe r h a p s s o me o t h e r w o r k s i n ce t h e P r in
, ,

c ip ia w a s a l r e a dy publi s h ed in Du t c h a s w ell a s in La t in , .

Th e I ntr odu c tion in c o dex B it is in t e r e st i n g t o n o t e gi v e s

, ,

a l s o a s umm a r y o f t h e S hort Tr ea tis e w h ic h is p r a c t ic a lly

iden t ic al w it h t h e O u t li n e in B o e h me r s c opy of
“ ’

C o l e ru s .

Co dex A is a muc h th i c k e r qu ar to vo lume ,

a nd c o n ta i n s
t h e S hort Trea tise , th e Tr a c ta tu s Th eol ogic o-P ol itic u s ,
a nd

th e Notes t o it, D ut ch b u t t h e Notes a re n ot in th e

al l in ,

s a me h a n d w r i t i n g a s t h e r e s t o f t h e v olume A is evide n tly .

o lde r t h a n B a s m a y be s een f r o m t h e v e r y h a nd wr i t i n g
, ,

w h ic h bel on g s t o t h e s eve n t een t h ce n t u ry a n d is muc h

.
,

m o r e f a ded M or e ove r even a c u rs ory i ns pec t i o n r eve a l s

.
,

t h e f a c t th at t h e w r i te r w h o h a d C o pied B h a d a l s o bee n
bu sy w i th A w h ich c o n ta in s n ume r ou s t h oug h m ostly
, ,

unimp or ta nt a ddi ti on s in t h e s ame h a nd w r i t ing a s B For

, .

in sta n ce a t th e begi n ni ng of th e w h ole v o lume th e r e is th e

,

f o ll o w i n g t i t le -p a ge in M o n n ikh o ff s w r i t ing
’

W i t ing s of Bene d ic t de S p i no
Th e r mp i i ng za , c o r s

I A T at i e n G d M n nd h i W l l b e i ng
. re s o o , a a s e - .

I I A T he ol g ic o-Pol i t i al T
. ti e
o c re a s .

Both of t h m wi t h t h e N ot e of t h e A u t h o nd t a nsl t ed es r, a r a

f om t h e L t i n
r a .
”

S ep a rat e t it le-p age s in th e me wr i t ing a l so p r ecede th esa

Tr a c ta tu s The ol ogic o-P ol itic u s a n d t h e Notes Aga i n f o ll ow .

,

ing th e Ta ble of C o n te nts t h er e is a p ortra it of S pi n oza ,

a pp a r e n t ly in s e r t ed t h e r e by M o n n ikh off w h o may h a ve ,

t ake n it f ro m a c o py o f t h e 1 6 77 edi t i o n of t h e O p era

P osthu ma a n d f a cing it ( o n th e le ft ) a re s o me w ell -mea n ing
,
 éhg tl "
2 ’m
4
l

[ PA GE 1 4 IN A]
 QD e
’

z é - z e e n .

[ PA GE 2 3 IN B ]
cxvi I N TRO D UC T I O N
A la rgely becau s e t h i s w a s in D e u rh off s h an d wr iting A
,
’
.

c omp ari so n w i th De urh off s a u th en tic h a ndw ri t ing is u n’

,

f ort u n a t ely imp oss ible

, Th e on ly a u th en t ic a u t o g ra p h o f
.

D e u r h o ff t h at h a s bee n di s c o ve r ed s o f a r c o ns i s ts o f h is
s ign a t u r e w r i tt e n in 1 6 8 5 a n d t h i s s eem s t o be i n s u ffi cien t
, ,

to g o up o n w i th c e ta in ty D r W Meye r w h o h a s s ee n th e
r . . .
,

s ig na t u r e t h in k s t h a t it r a th e r t e n d s t o di s p r o ve t h e c o n
,

u e t h a t A w a s C o pied by D e u rh o ff A n d t h e t on e o f
j e c t
r .

t h e P re f a c e o n t h e t i t le -p a ge o f A is a l s o u n fa v o u ra ble t o it ,

bec au s e D e u rh off h ad n o s uc h a dmi ra t i on f o r S pin o a O n z .

th e o th e r h a nd it m ay be r e a s o n a bly s upp o s ed th a t c o dex A

,

w a s t h e p r o pe r ty of D e u r h off a n d t h a t M o n n ikh off o bt a i n ed

,

it f r o m h im .

D r W Meye r h as m a de t h e in t e r e st ing s u g ge st i o n t h at
. .

c o d e x A w a s o r igi n a lly t h e p r o pe r t y o f j a r ig Jelle s p e rh a p s —

t h e v e ry c o py of t h e tr a n s l at i o n s w h i c h h e h i m s el f h a d
o b ta i n ed o f t h e S hort Tr ea tis e a n d t h e Tr a c ta tu s The ol ogic o

P ol itic a s j a r ig j elle s w a s o n e o f t h e o lde s t a n d w ar m e st

.

f r ie n d s o f S pin o z a a n d h ad de f r ayed t h e c o st o f publi sh i ng

,

S pin o z a s v e r s i o n of De s c a r te s P r inc ip ia b o th t h e L at i n
’ ’

a n d t h e Du t c h ve r s i o n s elle s w h o w a s a s pice me r c h a n t
j .
, ,

did n ot kn o w Lat i n a n d it m ay h ave bee n h e w h o pers u a ded

,

Pie t e r B a lli n g t o t ra n s l a t e S pin o z a s P r inc ip ia i n t o Du t c h

’

f or th a t r e a s on I t w o uld a ppe a r t h a t h e a l s o h a d th e
.

Tra c ta tus The ol ogic o—P ol itic a s tra n sl at ed i n t o Du tc h a n d t h a t ,

h e w a s a b o u t t o h a v e it publi s h ed in 1 6 7 1 F o r in a le t t e r .
,

a dd re ss ed t o J elle s in t h a t ye a r S pi n o z a beg s h im t o p r e v en t
,

t h e publi c a t i o n of t h e Du t c h t ra n s l a t i o n o f t h e Tra c ta ta s
Theol ogic o P ol itic a s a s it migh t le a d t o t h e p r o h bi t i o n even
-
,
i

of t h e La t in edi t i o n Ac c or dingly n o Dut c h tra nsla t i on of

.
,

t h i s t r e at i s e a ppe ar ed t ill 1 6 93 a n d t h e n a n ot h e r f o ll o w ed
,

in 1 6 94 . No w t h e Du t c h ver s i o n of t h e The ol ogic o P ol itiea l -

Trea tis e w h ic h is c o n t a i n ed in c o dex A is n o t ide n t i c a l w i th

ei th er of th e s e t w o oth er tra nsl ati on s a nd it is m o st p ro b a bly ,

e arlie r th a n 1 6 94 bec a u s e a n e w tra n sl a ti on w oul d h a rdly

,
 H I S TO RY O F T H E S H ORT TRE A TI SE cxvii
be ma de after tw o oth e rs h a d a l rea dy been publi sh ed C odex .

A m or e over be a rs so me evidence of in tended public at i on

, , .

D r W Mey e r t h e r e f or e s ugge s ts th at t h e Dut c h ve r s i o n

' '

.
.
, ,

w h ic h is c o n ta ined in A is t h e ve r y sa me w h ic h w a s a b o u t t o
be publi sh ed in 1 6 7 1 b ut w a s kep t b a ck at S pin oz a s r e q ue st
,
’
.

And s ince t h e S hort Tr ea tise is in th e sa me h an dwr i ting ,

a n d t o j udge by t h e p re face s eem s a l so to h ave been

i nt ended f or public at i on D r Meye r supp os e s t h at j elle s
,
.

h ad t h i s a l s o tra n s l a t ed in to Du t c h a nd t h a t h e in t ended t o ,

publi sh it toget h e r w i th th e Tra cta tus Theol ogie o-P ol itica s .

H e even conj ect u re s th at t h e t ra n s l at i o n s w e r e m ade by

D r L o de w ij k Meyer b u t t h e r e is n o r e a l evide n ce o f t h i s
. .

O n e is inclined t o a sk w h e th e r c o dex A m a y n o t be
iden t ica l w i th th e m a nu s c ript w h ich R ie uw e rtsz is r ep ort ed
t o h a ve s h ow n to S t o lle a n d B a llm a n n in 1 70 3 B u t the .

t e r m s o f th e r ep o r t m a ke it unce r ta i n w h e th er t h a t m a nu
s c r ip t pu r p or t ed t o be in S pin o z a s o w n h a n d w r i t i n g o r in
‘ ’

t h a t of t h e b oo k s elle r s f a th e r A n d in a n y c a s e t h e st at e
’
.
, ,

me nt in th e p r e f a ce on th e t i t le -p age th at th e S hort Trea tise

, ,

w a s or igin a lly w r i t t en in L a ti n c o uld sc a r cely h ave e s c a ped

,

t h ei r eye s a n d s i n ce th ey und o ub t edly r ep o r t t h a t t h e

, ,

m a nu sc r ip t w as in Du tc h j u st a s S pin oza h a d at fi rs t c om
p os ed it th e p rob abili ty is th a t it wa s a di ff er en t c o py w h ich
,

t h ey th en s aw Th e r e is n o d o ub t h o w eve r th a t m a nu
.
, ,

s c r ip t c o pie s o f t h e S hort Tr ea tis e w e r e exta n t a m on g ,

va ri o u s fr iend s a n d r e a ders of S pin o za a t th e end of th e ,

s eve n t een t h cen t u r y a n d c o dex A is m o s t likely o n e

,
of

t h e s e m a n u s c r ip t s .

B ot h A a n d B h ow eve r pu rp ort t o be o nly t ra n sl a t i o n s

, , ,

o r c o pie s of a tra n s l at i o n fro m t h e L a t in a n d no t c o pie s o f

, ,

a Du t c h o r igin a l Th i s is a l s o c o nfi r med by a n ex a mi n ati o n

.

o f th e t ex t of t h e m a nu s c r ipt s w h ich c o n t a in s var i o u s

,

mistakes t h at c a n o nly be expl a ined on th e s upp os i ti o n th at

t h ey are mi str a n s l ati o n s f ro m th e L at in S o me of t h e s e .

w ill be indic at ed in th e no t e s .
 cxviii I N TR O D U C T I O N
Aga in c odex A ca nn ot be t h e or igin a l c opy even of a
,

tra n s l at i on be c a u s e it c o n ta in s s eve ra l mi s t a k e s w h ic h c a n
,

o nly be a c c o un t ed f o r o n t h e s upp os i t i o n t h a t t h ey a r e m is

r e a di n g s o f D u tc h w o r d s w r i t i ng ( f o r e xa mple ) a l der wij ste

,

( w i s e s t ) w h e r e t h e c o n t e xt r e q ui r e s a l d e r vr ij ( r ee s t) And
s te f .

co dex B h as fa r t oo muc h in c o mm o n w ith A t o be r eg arded ,

w i t h a n y pl a u s ibili ty s gi v i n g a n indepe n de n t t r a n s l a t i o n
,
a

o f t h e S hort Trea tis e P rima fa e ie t h e m os t pl a u s ible s u p

.

p o si t i on is t h at A is i ts el f a C opy o f a n o lde r m a n u s c r ip t ,

a n d t h a t B is m o r e o r le ss a c o py of A a n d t h i s s ugge st i o n
,

is in l a r ge me a s u r e a l s o c o n fi r med by m o r e i n t e r n a l
“

e vide nce .

§ 3 . T H E T WO MANU S C R I PT S CO M PA R E D
In t h e m a i n b oth ma n u s c rip ts give p ra c t ic a lly th e sa me
,

tra n s l a t ion o f t h e S hort Tr e a tise a l t h oug h th e r e a re nu m e r o u s

,

m i n or di ff e r e n ce s m ost o f w h i c h a r e i n di c a t ed in th e
,

p r es e nt t ra n s l at i on I n n e a tn e ss of a ppe ara n c e a n d s m ooth

.

n e s s o f exp r e ss i o n B is v e r y m u c h s upe r i o r t o A In A .

n o t e s a n d a ddi t i o n s t o t h e t ext a r e f o u n d so me t i m e s a l l

r o u n d t h e p a ge t op a n d b ott o m a n d t o t h e le ft a n d r igh t
—
,

o f t h e t ext S o me t ime s it is di ffi c ul t t o kn o w w h ic h is
.

me a n t t o be t ext a n d w h i c h is mea nt to be th e n ot e I n B .
,

o n t h e o t h e r h a n d t h e a r ra n geme n t is pe rf ec t ly cle a r a n d
,

n e at. S i m il a r di ff e r e n ce s s h ow t h em s elve s in th e c o mp o
s it io n o f t h e t w o m a nu sc r ip t s I n A t h e punc t u a t i on is
.

s o me t ime s a b so lu t ely b a r b a r o u s — t h e r e a re w h o le s tr i n g s of

c o l on s a n d s emi -c o l o ns b r i ngi ng toge th er ide a s w h ic h h ave

,

n o r e a l c o nn ec t i o n w h ile a t ot h e r t ime s f ull -st op s d is

,

c onn ec t w h at sh o uld h a ve been c o nnec t ed O cc as i o n ally .

a l s o th e t r o uble o f tr a n s l a t i n g t ec h n ic a l exp r e ss i o n s s eem s

t o be s h i rk ed a n d t h ey a r e s i m ply give n in t h ei r L a t in
,

f or m . All o r ne ar ly a l l s uch b ar bar i s ms are a b sen t fro m

cxx I N TRO D UC T I O N
men ts on A I t seems clear h o w e ve r th at th e s ugge sted
.
, ,

o t h e r m a nu s c r ip t ( if M o n n ik h off r e a lly h a d a n ot h e r t o

c ons ul t) c o uld not h av e bee n th e origin a l L at i n m a nu s crip t

o r a c o py of it bec a u s e s o me o f h is mi s ta ke s w o uld h a v e
,

bee n i mp oss ible in t h a t c a s e No r in a l l p ro b a bili ty w a s

.
, ,

it even a n independen t Du t c h t ra n s l at i o n o f t h e or igi n a l ,

beca u se in th a t c as e B w o uld m ost likely n ot have h a d so

ve ry mu c h in c omm o n w i th A as it a c t u a lly h as Th a t .

M o nn ik h off migh t h a ve c on s ul t ed a n o th e r Du t c h m a n u
s c r ip t o f t h e S h ort Tr ea tis e ( be s ide s A ) s eem s likely f r o m t h e

f a ct t h a t R ie u w e r t s f o r i nst a n ce h a d s u c h a n ot h e r Du t c h
z, ,

m an u s c rip t (as Ha l l ma n n r ep orts) a n d t h e r e ma y h a ve been

,

a l s o ot h e r s in Am st e d a m w h e e M o n n ikh o ff lived
r ,
r A t th e .

s a me t ime it is j u s t p oss ible th at M o n n ik h o ff h a d o n ly

,

c o dex A befor e h im a nd th a t h is o w n c r i tic a l i n s igh t e n abled

,

h im t o m a ke t h e v ar i o u s c o r ec t i o n s a n d imp o vemen t s
r r .

§ 4 . THE CO M PO N E N T PA R TS O F THE
S HOR T TR E A TIS E

E ven cu rso ry exa mina ti on of t h e S hort Tr eatise sh ow s

a

th a t it is n ot a h o m oge n e o u s w h o le b t a c om ple x o f p a r ts
,
u

in w h ich a cl os e r s cru t i ny r e ve a l s di ff e r e nt stra ta of th ough t

r ep r e s e n t ing di ff e r en t s ta ge s o f de v el o pme n t C o mp a r a .

t ive l y ex t e r n a l di ff e r e n ce s s u ffice t o e n a ble u s t o di st ingui s h

f ou r s ep a ra t e p a r t s in t h e S hort Tr ea tise n a mely ,

(i ) th e bulk o f th e text of t h e treat i s e ( both p ar ts)

( ii ) th e s o-c a lled f oot-n ot e s o r m a r gin a l a ddi t i o n s ;

(iii ) t h e t w o di a l ogue s a t th e end of Par t I c h a p t e r ii and . .

iv
( ) t h e s o-c a lled Appendice s a t t h e end of th e tr e at i s e .

It may be r em arked at on ce th a t no o ne e i u s ly
s r o

d oubts t h a t t h e S hort Tr ea tise as a who le is t h e w or k of

 H I S TO R Y O F T H E S H OR T TR EA TI S E

S pi n oza Th e o nly p or ti o n s th e a u th en t ici ty of w h ic h m ay

.

be d o ub t ed a re so me o f t he n ot e s M a ny of t h e n ot e s to .

P a r t I I in A a r e evide n tly me r e m ar gi n a l s u m m a r ie s w h i c h
.

w e r e n o t m a de by S pi n o z a a n d ne a r ly a l l o f t h em w e r e
,

o m i t ted b y M o nn ik h o ff n o d o ub t f o r t h i s v e r y r e a s o n
, .

Th ey h a ve a l s o been o mi tt ed f r o m a l l t h e publi sh ed
edi ti o n s a n d tra n sl at i o n s of th e S hort Tr ea tise S ome of th e .

r e m a i n i n g n o t e s ( o r a ddi t i o n s) a r e a l so p r o b a bly f r o m s ome

o t h e r h a n d t h a n S pi n oz a s a n d s o is t h e p r e f a ce o n t h e
’
,

t i t le -
p age of A M ost of th e l ong n ot e s h ow eve r a r e
.
, ,

ce r ta i nly S pi n o za s ow n a n d M onnikh off says s o exp r e s sly

'

o n t h e e xt ra t i t le-p a ge w h ic h h e w r o t e in c o dex A ( w h ic h

h a s a l r e a dy been ci t ed a b ov e ) w h ile t h e O u t line in “ ”

,

B o e h me r s C ol e r u s s t a t e s explici t ly t h a t S pin oz a h a d a dded

’

n o t e s in f u r th e r expl a n a t i o n a n d el a b o ra t i o n o f h is vie w s .

A n d t h e r e s t o f t h e S hor t Tr ea tise is S pin oz a s bey o nd a

’

do ub t . Th e a b ove me n t i on ed t r a di t i o n s a b o u t h is Du t c h
-

E th i c s w i th a c h a p te r o n t h e Devil a n d p a s sa ge s in h is ,

le t ter s to w h ic h w e sh a ll r ef e r w h e n w e t ry to de ter mine t he

,

da te of its c o mp os i t i on s u ffi c ie ntly c o nfi r m th e a u th ors h ip

,

o f S pi n o z a w h ic h is cl a imed o n t h e t i t le -p a ge o f b o t h t h e

m a n u sc ip t s
r .

Bu t
, th o ugh S pi n oz a w r ot e t h e w h ole of t h e S hort
Trea tise ( excep t i n g th e s u s pici ou s n ot e s) a s w e n ow h a ve
it h e evi d e n t ly did n o t w r i t e it a l l at t h e sa me t ime
,
What .

w e h av e be fo r e u s is a firs t d ra ft t o ge th e r w i t h s ucce ss ive

a tt emp t s t o c o rr ec t o r s upplemen t
, o r r ec o ncile v a r i o u s
,

p art s of it T h e bulk of th e t ex t r ep r e s e n ts th a t firs t d ra f t

. .

Th e c h a p ter s a r e s t r ung t oge th e r m o r e or le ss l oos ely ;

inc o n s i st enc ie s of th o ught or o f exp re s s io n a re n ot y e t
r em ov ed S o me o f th e so-c a lled n o te s or m argin a l a ddi t i o n s
.

a re r e a lly n e w ve r s i o n s o f t h e c o rr e s p o nding t e xt w h ic h ,

S pi n oza app a r en t ly me a n t t o r e w r i t e Th ey oft en r ep re s e n t

.

a di s ti n c t a d va nce in t h oug h t b r idging ove r t h e gul f b e

,

t w een t h e t ext oi t h e Tr ea tise a nd t h e E thic s Th e Di a l ogue s .

cxxii I N TR O D U C T I O N
el a b ora t e speci a l p o i nts w h ile a ssu m i n g w h at ha s a l re a dy
,

been expl a ined in oth e r p a rts of th e Trea tise Like th e firs t .

Appe n dix t h ey al s o r ep e s e n t a n e xpe r i m e n t in t h e f or m o f

,
r

exp o si ti o n S pi n o a ev ide n t ly r e ali s ed v ery quickly th a t h is

. z

w a s n o t t h e a r t o f w r i t i n g Pl at o nic di a l o gue s Th e s ec on d .

Appe n dix is c o n c er n ed w ith th e el a b ora ti o n of a s peci a l

p oi n t Th e firs t a s a l r e a dy stat ed is a n expe ri m e nt in th e
.
, ,

ge ometr ic f orm of exp os i ti o n a nd is i ntima t ely r el a ted t o

,

t h e E thic s . T h e Tr ea tise s h o ws u s S pi n oz a in h is w or ks h o p
gra du ally s haping t h e m a t er i a l f or h is gr e a t edifice It is .
,

o f c o u r s e a l l t h e m or e i n t e r e s t ing f o r th a t
,
B u t it is p r a o
.

t i c a lly i m p o s s ible t o d e t e r mi n e p r eci s ely t h e c h r o n ol ogi c a l

s equence o f it s p a rt s At o ne t ime it w a s s upp os ed t h a t t h e
.

Di a l ogue s w er e th e o lde s t p ar ts o f th e Trea tise Freuden .

t h a l h ow eve r h as sh o w n t h a t t h ey mu st h a ve bee n w r i tt e n
, ,

a ft e r t h e m a in t e xt of t h e Trea tise bec a u s e t h ey a s s ume a

kn ow ledge of var i ou s vie ws a l r e a dy expl a i n ed in oth e r p ar ts

o f th e w or k . Th u s a l l th a t ma y be a s s e r ted w i th c o nfide n ce
is t h a t t h e n ot e s th e Di al ogue s a n d t h e Appendice s a r e
, ,

l at e r th a n th e r e st of th e Trea tise It is a l so p oss ible t o .

d e t e r mine w h ic h p arts o f t h e w or k w e r e t h e l a st a ddi t i o n s .

De ta iled i nfor m at i on r el ating t o th e s e ques ti on s w ill be

f o u n d in th e C o m m e n t a r y B u t it is imp o rtant t o n ot e
.

immedi at ely th at w e a r e de ali n g w i th a b o ok w h ich w as

ne ver p r ope rly p r ep ar ed f or public at i on S pi n oz a h aving ,

fi na lly deter mined t o r ec ast the exp os i ti o n of h is p h il osop h y

i n th e ge ome tr ic f or m a s w e h ave it in th e E thic s Th e
, .

p r e s en t a rr a ngeme n t of th e Treatise is p ro b ably due in p ar t

t o o n e of h is di s ciple s w h o s e i n s igh t w as n ot s u fficien t t o
,

gua r d h im aga in st mi spl acing some p arts o mi tting oth e rs , ,

a n d r e t a i n ing p a s sa ge s w h ic h w e r e me a n t t o b e di s c a rded .

O cc as i o n a lly a l so r e a de r s c omme nt s s eem t o h a ve f o und

'

t h ei r w a y in to t h e t ex t t h r o ugh the c opyi s t s l a ck of d is

’

c r imin at i on .
cxxiv I N T R O D UC T I O N
in tent i on of u s ing it a s a gene ra l i ntr oduc ti o n t o h is wh o le
p h il osop h y as c on ta i n ed f or t h e m o st p a rt in t h e S hort
Trea tis e . Th e o peni n g p a s s a ge s o f t h e f o r me r t r e a t i s e ,

a l r e a dy q u o t ed a b ov e h ar dly a pp rop r i a t e a s a n
*
a re ,

in tr o ducti on to a mer e t h e ory of k n owledge th ey r e f er ,

r a t h e r t o p h il os o p h y a s a w h o le S pin oz a s gr o wi n g p r e
’
.

f e r ence f or t h e ge o me tr ic me t h o d a n d h is s ucce s s f ul ,

exper ime n t in a pplyi ng it to De s c arte s P rinc ipia a l so th e ’

,

gra du al m odifica ti on o f s ome of h is v ie w s s o on l e d h im t o ,

begin a n e w exp os i ti o n of h is p h il o s op h y s uc h as h e eve n ,

t u a l l y g av e in th e E thic a A n d t h e S h or t Tr e a tis e t h u s f ell

.

in to neglec t B u t th er e c a n be n o d o ubt t h at it w a s a l r e a dy
.

c omplet ed in 1 66 1 p oss ibly a l re a dy th e ye a r befor e if w e

, ,

a ll o w f or t h e Tr ea tis e on the I mp r ovement of the Und ers ta nd

ing w h i c h t h o ugh a f a gmen t n ow a n d p r o b a bly eve n m o r e

, ,
r

f ra gme n t ar y t h en mu s t n ever t h ele s s h a ve t a k e n h im s om e

,

t ime t o w r i t e .

Th e m a i n t ex t o f t h e S hort Tr ea tis e t h e n mu s t h a ve bee n , ,

w r i tte n n ot l at e r t h a n 1 6 6 1 I t s eem s e q u a lly cle ar t h at it

.

c o uld no t h ave been fi n i sh ed be f or e 1 6 6 0 — th a t is t o s a y ,

bef or e S pi n o a s r em ov al to R ij n s bur g Th e r e a son f or th i s

z
’
.

s ugges t i o n is t o be f o und in t h e c o ncluding p a ra g ra p h o f

t h e S ec o n d Pa r t o f t h e Trea tise t It is r e a lly a n epi s t le

a dd r e s s ed t o h is f riend s t o w h o m h e is s ending t h e
,

en ti r e m a nu s cr ipt o f th e S hort Trea tise ( bef ore th e

Appendices w er e w r i tten ) An d its t o n e a n d c o n t en ts .

s t r o ngly s ugge s t t h a t it w a s wr i t t e n t o f r ie n d s a t a di s t a nce .

Wh o th e s e fr iend s w e re it is n o t di fficul t t o c o nj ec tu r e .

Th ey w e r e B a lling j elle s Meye r a n d th e ot h e r membe rs o f

, , ,

t h e p h il o s op h ic a l c ot e r ie t o w h o m S pin oz a s ub s e q uen tly

a l s o s e n t t h e c o mple t ed p o r t i o n s o f t h e E thic a in m a nu

s c r ip t
. H is fr iend s t h e n w er e in Am s t e r d a m
, Ha d
, .

S pi n oz a st ill been li v ing in or n e ar Am s t e r d a m it w o uld ,

s c ar cely h ave been nece ssar y f or h im t o wr ite t h at e xh o r

S p p l iii fi
ee . .
T S p p 49 f. ee . 1 .
 H I S TO R Y O F T H E S H OR T TR EA TISE cxxv
t a t io n . mu st th er ef or e h ave been w r i tt en wh e n
It , ,

S pi n oz a h a d a l r e a dy le ft Am s t e r d a m a n d its neigh b o u r
h oo d a n d h ad go n e t o R ij n s bu r g
,
A n d t h i s h a ppe n e d
.

e ar ly in 1 6 6 0 .

We w o uld m a i n ta in a cc or di n gly t h a t th e S hort Tr ea tise

, ,

w a s n o t fi nished be f or e 1 6 6 0 B u t a s a l r e a dy s ugge s t ed it
.
, ,

w a s p r o b a bly c o mme n ced ve r y muc h e ar lie r t h a n t h at .

M a n y or m ost of its c h a p t e r s v e r y li k ely Cont a i n t h e su b

s t a n c e o f t h e n o t e s w h ic h S pi n o z a dic t a t ed t o h is di s ciple s

w h ile t e a c h i n g a t Am s t e r d a m Th i s s eem s t o be b or ne o u t
.
,

t o s o me e xt e n t by a m a r gi n al s umm a ry a t t h e s ide of t h e
,

a b ov e -men t i o ned c o ncludi n g p a ra g ra p h

*
o f t h e Tr ea tise .

Th i s n ot e s eem s t o h a ve bee n p u t t h e r e by a di s ciple o f

S pi n o z a a n d s pe a k s o f th e Treatise a s h a vi n g been dic ta ted
, ,

w h ile t h e t e xt s a y s t h at it w a s wr itten Ve r y likely a g oo d

.

p or ti o n of t h e Tr ea tise h a d a c tu a lly been dic ta ted to h is

f riend s w h ile S pi n oza w a s a t Am st e r d a m b ut t h e c o m ,

p l e te d Tr ea tise mu s t h a ve bee n s e n t t o th em in m a n u s c r ip t
f r o m R ij n s bu r g .

A ve n ar iu s h a s s ugge s t ed t h at th e S hort Tr ea tise w as qui t e

a y o u t h f ul w o r k ; th a t t h e Di a l ogue s w e r e w r i tte n a b o u t

1 6 1 a n d t h e m a i n t e xt in 1 6 4 o r 1 6 5 5 Th e s ugge s t i o n
5 , 5 .

w a s l ar gely b a s ed o n t h e a ss ump t i o n t h at t h e Tr a c ta tu s
The ol ogic o-P ol itic a s w a s fi n i sh ed in 1 6 6 1 o r e a r lie r B u t it .

is k n ow n n o w t h at S pi n o a did n ot c o mple t e it t ill 1 66 9 or

z

1 6 70 . Th e c omp a r a t i v e imm a t u r i ty o f t h e S h ort Trea tise a s

c o mp ar ed w i th it d oe s n ot t h er e f o r e c o mpel u s to a ss ume
t h a t t h e Trea tise w as w r i t t en l o n g be f or e 1 6 6 1 And th e .

in t e r n a l evidence is a ga in st s uc h an early d at e a s 1 6 55 .

T h e t o n e of t h e c o ncluding p arag r a p h o f Pa r t I I sh ow s .

t h at w h e n w r i t i n g it S pin o z a h a d a l r e a dy a cqui r ed a
, ,

ce r ta in a u th or i ty in a ci r cle o f p h il os o ph ic a l f rie n d s H e .

co uld n ot h a ve w r itt en in t hat str a in at th e ag e of 2 2 or 2 3 .

Aga in h is r e f er ence t o th e ch ara ct er of th e ag e seems t o

,

S e e t h e fir s t not e on p . 1 49 .
cxxvi I N T RO D U C T I O N
p o int t o h is own exc o mmunic at i on as a n even t in th e p ast .

M or e ov e r t h e Trea tise sh o w s a n i nt er e st in s pecific C h r i st i a n

,

d oc tr i ne s a nd th ei r r ei nt er pr e tat i o n (th e s on of G od ,

R ege n e r at i on S in in r el at i o n t o t h e L a w a n d Gra ce )
, ,
.

S pin oz a mu st h a ve bee n m ovi n g f or so me t ime in a

C h r i s t i a n en v i ronmen t t o f eel s uc h a n i n t e r e st in p r o blem s
o f C h r i s t i a n t h e o l o gy Th e c h a ra c t e r s h e in t r o duce s a s
.

illu strat i o n s be ar Ne w Te sta me nt n a me s a n d h e even ,

devote s a c ha p te r to Devil s in w h o m t h e J e ws t ook very

,

li tt le i nt e r est All t h i s ar gue s in f a vo ur of t h e supp osi t io n

.

t h at t h e S hort Tr ea tise w a s n o t w r i tt en t ill s o me ye ar s a ft e r

S pin oza s s e v e r a nce f ro m t h e J e w i sh c o mmuni ty
’

Fre u d e nth al ma int a i n s a cc or dingly that it mu st h ave been

, ,

c omp os ed be tw een 1 6 5 8 a n d 1 6 6 0 Wi th th i s v iew w e .

c on cu r a ll ow i ng h ow ever th a t s ome of th e a ddi tion s m ay

, , ,

be l ate r th an 1 6 6 0 wh ile s o me p a r t s o f t h e Trea tise or

,

s o me o f its v ie w s may d a t e f r o m b ef ore S pin o a s e xc o m

’
z

m u n ic a tio n bec a u s e o n e o f t h e c h arge s a l r ea dy b r o ugh t

,

a g a i n s t h im th en w a s t h a t h e h a d a s s e r t ed th a t e xt e n s i o n

w as a n a tt r ibu t e o f G od .

It is i n te r e s t ing t o n ot e in c o nclu s i o n t h a t w h en S pi n o a
, , z

m a de his lit e r a r y deb ut h e w as a l r e a dy a p a nth ei st H is .

p a n th ei s m w a s n ot in a ny s e n s e a devel opmen t of C ar te
s ia n is m h e s t a r t ed f r o m it a n d a t o n ce c r i tici s ed t h e C a r
,

t e sia n du a li s m f ro m th at p o in t o f vie w H e p r o b a bly ow ed h is .

i nt r oduc ti o n t o p a n th ei s tic vie w s p artly to Je w i sh mystici s m ,

w i th w h ic h h e mu s t h a ve bee n m a de a c q u a i nt ed by R a bbi s
M or te ira a n d B e n I sr a el wh o w e r e b o th o f t h em s tro ngly
,

incli n ed tow ard s myst ici s m a nd p art ly t o B r u n o to w h os e

, ,

w r i t ing s a s a l r e a dy s ugge s t ed Va n d e n E n de n m a y h a ve
, ,

direct ed h is att e nti on Th e S hort Trea tise s h ow s a l so

.

c on s ide rable f a milia ri ty w i th a n d indebt edne ss t o t h e, ,

w r i t i n g s of De s c a rt e s a s w ill be s h o w n in t h e C o mmen ta ry
, .

B u t S pi n o za is neve r me r ely a f o ll ow e r o f t h e Je w i s h
Mys t ic s or o f B r u no or of De sc a rte s F rom t h e fi rs t h e
, , .
cxxviii I N TR O D UC T I O N
J.F re u d e n th a l S pinoza u nd die S c hol a stik ( in t h e P h il o
so p hisc h e An f s atz e dedic ated to Zeller) Leipzig .
,

1 88
7 .

S pinoza studien (
“
Zei t sc hr i ft fu r Ph il oso p h ie ,

1 08 , 18 6
9 .

Ue be r die E ntwic kl u ng der Lehre vom p syc hophysi

s c hen P a ra l l el ismu s b ei S p inoza ( Ar c h i v f iir ge sa mte
“

yc h ol ogie Ps 1 90
7 ,
.

C G eb h a r d t : S pinoza s A bha ndl ung u eb er die Ver b esserung

.

des Versta ndes H eidelber g 1 90 5 .

,
.

M J oel Z ur Genesis der Lehre S pinozas B re sl au 1 8 7 1

. .
, .

C S ig wa r t : S pinoza s neu entdec kter Tra c ta l

. Got h a 1 8 66 .
, .

A Tr endelenbu rg Ueber die a ufgefundenen E rg anzungen zu

.
'

S p inozas Werken ( in H i st ori s ch e B ei trage vol ”

.
,

B e r lin 1 8 6 7 , .

V ar i ou s r e fe r ence s t o th e S hort Treatise oc cu r a l s o in th e

f oll ow ing m or e gener a l wo rks o n t h e li f e o r th e p h il o s op h y
o f S pi n o z a

R A Duff : S pinoza s P ol itic a l a nd E thic a l P hil osophy

’
. . .

G l a sg ow 1 90 3 ,
.

K Fi s c h e r : S pinoza 4th ed
. H eidelbe rg 1 8 98
. .
, .

J .F r euden t h a l : D ie Le b ensge s c hic hte S p inoz a s Leipzig .

,

1 8 99 Da s Leb en S pinoza s
. S t u t t g a r t 1 90 4 .
, .

H H J oa ch i m A S tu dy of the E thics of S pinoza O xf or d

. . .
,

1 90 1 .

M a r t i n ea u : A S tu dy of S inoza r d ed L nd on 1 8 95
J .
p 3 o . .
, .

S ir F P o ll o ck : S pinoza
. z u d ed L on d o n 1 8 99 . .
, .

E E P ow ell : S pinoza a nd R el igion

. . C h ic a g o 1 90 6 .
, .

A Rivau d : Les Notions d E ssenc e et d E xistenc e da ns l a

.
’ ’

P hil osophie de S pinoza Par i s 1 90 6 .

, .
 E X PLA NA T I O NS O F S I G NS , &c .

A s tand s for t he e m nu i p t of th e S hort Trea tise

ol d r a sc r .

B st a nd s f t h l t e m nu
or e ip t of th S hort Treatise
a r a sc r e .

Whe e n thi ng i t t ed t th ont y t h T n l t i on fol l ws A

r o s s a o e c rar e ra s a o .

4"
W d & c b et w n t i k
or s, .
,
in B b t eet in A as e r s s a re , u no .

W d in qua e b ket
or s s tho e f the t
r ra cl t ; b ut s are s o ra n s a or

When t he e te i k t i de t h
r a re b ke t t h e n B
as r s s ou s e rac s,

h ast h e w d in u h b or ket
s s c ra c s .

1
‘
is u ed
s a a esfe n e -m r k t o note whi h
re c g iv n in A
ar s c a re e .

I i s u ed
s s a f e n e
a-m k t not es i ndi at i ng d iff e ent
re e r c ar o c r

e d i ng
r a &c s, .

O si nal l y w
cca d o p t in i n e t ed c mmor s t d aw
are u v r o as o r

t t ent i n t t he fa t t h t t h ey
a o o e u d in c p u l ia n e ar se a ec a r se s .

E xp l n t i n
a a o f d iffi ul t wo d
s o nd p c
g wi l l b f und t t h e
r s a assa e s e o a

e n d of t h vol ume p fi ng e d o d i ng t e
e
( 6 5 ) . c
1 h p t arra ac c r o a r

nd p g e
a a .

Beg i n ne m y om i t on
rs a fi st e d i ng mo t 01 t h foot not e in
, a r r a , s e - s

t h e T nsl t i o n
ra a .
 [T I T LE-PA G E IN A]

S H O R T T R E AT I S
O N G O D , M A N, A N
HI S W E L L BE I N
Pre vio u sl y w rit t e n in t h e L at in t o ng u e
b y B D S f o r t h e u se o f h is disc ip l e s
. . .

W h o w ant e d t o de v o t e t he m se l v e s t o t h e
st u d of E t h ic s a n d t r u e Ph il o sop h
y y.

A nd n ow t r ansl at e d int o t h e D u t c h l an
u a e f or t h e u se o f t h e L o v e r s of T r u t h
g g
an d Vir t u e : so t h a t t h e w h o s o u t so
y p
m u c h ab o u t it , a nd p u t t h e ir dir t and
fil t h int o t h e h an ds of sim p l e t on s a s
t h o u g h it w e re a m b e r g r is, m ay j u st h av e
t h e ir m o u t h s st op p e d , a nd c e ase t o p r o
f a n e w h a t t h e y d o n o t u n d e rs t a n d
Goa , t hemse l ves , a nd how t o he lp p e op l e
’

”
t o ha v e r eg a r d f or ea c h ot her : w e l l
t eing , a n d h ow t o h e al t h ose
W h o s e m i n d i s s ic k , i n a
s ir i t o f t e n d e r n e s s a n d
p
t ol e ran c e , aft e r t he
e xam l e o f t h e L or d
p
C h r is t , o u r b e s t
T e ac h e r
 [T I T L E-PA G E IN B]

E T H IC A OR M O R A L S C I ENC E

C O M PO S E D I N T WO PA R T S

WH I C H T RE A T

E X I S T E NC E ,
’
O F GOD S a nd A t t rib u t e s

OF M AN ,
Wl th f
re e r e n c e to t he
c h a r ac t e r an d o r ig in o f h is Passio ns,
t h e u se of h is re a so n in t h is re s e c t ,
p
a nd t h e m e a ns w h e re b h e is e du
y
c a t e d t o h is H a i n e ss an d su re m e
pp p
fre e do m

A Lso AN AP PE ND I X , c o n t aining a b rie f

a c c o u n t o f t h e n a t u r e o f S u b s t an c e
— as w e l l as t h a t o f t he h u m a n
S o u l , a n d it s u nio n w it h t h e Bo dy

C O M P O SE D BY

BE N E D I C T U S DE S PI NO Z A
 TA BLE O F C O N T E NT S ;
OF T HE F O LL O W I NG T w o B O O KS NA MEL Y ,

TH E FI RS T BO O K

T R E AT I NG O F G O D A ND W H AT PE RTA I NS T O H I M,
C O NT A I NS T H E F O L L O W I NG C H A PT E R S

C HA P PAGE

T H AT G O D EX I S T S
W HA T GOD Is

[ F I R S T D I A L O GUE ]
[ S E C O ND D I A L O GUE ]
T H AT G O D Is A C AUS E OF A LL T H I NG S
O N GO D
’
S NE C E S S A R Y A CT I V I T Y
R DE NCE
O N D I V I NE P O VI

ON D NE P R EDE
IVI NA N STI T IO

ON H A T R U E W H
E TT IB T S HI C DO NO T P E RT A I N
ON NA U R A NA N
T T U RA S
”

ON NA U R A NA U R A A
T T T

WH A G D N E L A RE
T OO A D VI

THE S E C O ND BOO K

T RE ATI NG O F T H E P E RF E C T I O N O F M A N S O T H AT
H E MAY BE I N A PO S I T I O N T O B E C O M E
U NI T E D IT H G O D W
CR AP .

[ PR E F A CE]
I . O N O P I NI O N, B EL I E F , A ND KNO WLED GE
II . W HA T O P I NI O N, B EL I E F , A ND C LE A R KN O W L ED G E A RE
1 B ha s no Ta l e b of C o nt e nt s
9
10 T A B LE O F C O N TE N TS
P AGS

III . THE O I RGN I OF PA S S I O N

. PA S S I O N A R G
IS IN F RO M
O P I NI O N
IV . W HA
C O M E S F R O M BE L I E F AND O N T HE GO O D
T , AND

E V I L O F MA N
V O N LO VE
.

V I O N H AT R ED
.

V I I O N JO Y AND S O RR O W
.

V I I I E S T EEM A ND C O NT EM PT
.

HO P E AND F E A R
X O N REM O R S E A ND R E PE NT ANCE
.

X I O N D E R I S I O N A ND JE S T I NG
.

X I I O N G L O R Y S H A M E A ND S HA M E L E S S NE S S
.
, ,

X I I I O N F AV O U R G RAT I T UDE AND I NGRAT IT UDE

.
, ,

X IV O N G RI E F
.

X V O N T H E T R UE AND T HE F A L S E
.

X V I O N T HE W I L L
.

XV I I O N T H E D I S T I NCT I O N B E T WEE N W I LL A ND D E S I R E
.

XV I I I O N T H E U S E S O F T H E FO R E G O I NG
.

X IX . ON OUR H AP P I NE S S
XX . C O NF I RMA TI O N OF T HE R
FO EGO IN G
XX I . O N RE A S O N
XX I I . ON T R UE KNO WLEDGE , RE G ENE R A T I O N, &c .

XX I I I . ON T HE I MM O R TA L I TY OF T HE S O UL
XX IV . O N GO D
’
S LO VE OF M AN
X XV O N D EVI L S
.

XXV I . ON T R UE F REED OM

[AP PE ND I X I ]. O N GOD

[ A P P E ND IX II ]. ON T HE H U M A N S O UL
 c a r t /3 6 9 69 2 27 2 . ( 20 5 1
,

A
!
(f aw n
.
Q 44

f
n e mfl m m we e

L
ag

'
[ M O NNI KHO FF S V E R S E S FA C I NG S P I NO Z A S
’
PO R TR A I T I N A]
[ FI R
ST PAGE O F A]
 C HA PTE R I
T H AT G O D EX S TS I
AS eg ard s t h e first I n amely
r , ,
w h th e er th e re is a God , t h is ,

we sa y c an be p r oved
,
.

In th e fi rst pl a ce a priori th u s ,

1 Wh a t eve r w e cle a r ly a n d di stinc tly kn ow t o

.

bel ong to t h e n atu r e 1 of a th i ng w e c a n a l s o '

tr uly a ffi r m o f t h at t h ing No w w e c a n kn ow .

cle a rly a nd di st inc tly t h a t exi st ence bel ongs

t o t h e n at u r e o f G o d
T h e r e f or e
O t h e rw i s e a l s o t h u s : II

2 Th e e s s ence o f t h i ngs a re f ro m a l l e t e r ni t y
.
,

and un to a l l e ter ni ty sh a ll r ema in im

muta ble
Th e exi s t ence o f God is e s s ence
Th e r e for e

1
“
U nde rst a n d t h defini te
u e t h oug h whic h a t hing i what
e na t r r s

it i s,n d wh i h c n b y no mea ns be
a c e mo ed f om it wi thout
a r v r

at t h me t i me d t oyi ng t h t t hi ng
e sa t hu fo i n sta n e it
es r a : s, r c ,

b el ng s t
o t he e en e o f mount i n t h t it h ul d h e
ss c o a a a s o av a

va l l e y o t he e sen
,
r of a m un t i n i t h t it h s
s ce v l l y ; I II o a s a a a a e

thi s i t ul y et e n l and i mmu tab l e nd mu t al w y be i n l ud e d

s r r a , a s a s c

in t h e on p t of a mount ai n e ve n if it ne e e xi t ed o did n t
c ce , v r s , r o

exi t now
s .

I B this : .

11 B omit s t h ese t h e wo ds re r .

II I B simp l y : t o the e s se nc e of a mou nta in b l e ong s a v al l e y .

1 S
 G O D , M A N, AND H IS W E LL-BE IN G
‘
II .
’
A posteriori thu s ,

I f ma n h a s an ide a of G od , t h en God 1 '

mu st exi st
forma l iter ;
No w , m a n h as an idea of God
e r e fo r e Th

T h e fi r s t w e p r o ve t h u s

I f th e r e is a n i d e a o f G o d th e n t h e c a u s e t h e r e o f ,

mu st exi st forma l iter a nd c on ta in in i ts el f a l l ,

t h a t th e id e a h a s obie c tive
No w t h e r e is a n idea of Go d
Th e re f or e

I n orde r to prove th e fi rs t p a rt of t h i s a rgumen t w e stat e

t h e f oll ow ing p rinciple s n a mely ,

1 Th at t h e numbe r o f kn o wa ble t h ings is in

.

fini t e ;
2 Th a t a fini t e unde rs ta nding c a nn o t a pp r e h end
.

t h e infini t e

3 Th a t a fini t e u n de rs ta nding unle s s it is de t e r

.
,

mined by s ometh ing ext ern al c a nn ot th ro ugh ,

its e l k n ow a ny th i ng ; bec a u s e j u s t a s it h as ,

no p o w e r t o k n o w a l l th ing s equ a lly s o li tt le ,

1 Fro m t he defini t ion wh i c h fol l ows in c hap t er 2 na me l y t ha t , ,

GOH ha s i n fini t e at t ri b u t e s we c an p rove h is e xi s t e nc e t hus

‘
,

Wh t e e we l e l y nd d i t i nc t ly e t o b el ng t o t h nat u e f
a v r c ar a s se o e r o

a t h i ng t h t w c n l so wi t h t u t h
,
a e a fii m f t h t t h i ng ; n ow t o
a r a r o a

of a b e i ng t h t ha s i n fini t e t t ib u t e xi ten
i
th e ra tu re a b l ong a r s e s e s ce,

wh i h i
c n t t i b u t e ; t h e efo e
s a a r To e t t h t t hi s m y w l l
r r a ss r a a e

be ffi me d of t he i dea b ut not of t h t hi ng i t el f i f l se fo t he
a r , e s ,
s a : r

I de d oe not ea l l y
a s n i t of t h e
r t t i b u t e wh i h be l o ng s t o t hi
co s s a r c s

b i ng so t h t t h t wh i h i a ffi med i [affi me d] ne i t he of t h
e ,
a a c s r s r r e

t h i ng no of t h t wh i h i
, r ffi m d of t he t hi ng
a c s a t hat t he e is
r e so r a

g e
r a t d i ff e n be
er t wee n t
ceh e I d e nd t h e I de a tu m t h e
a ef o ea r r

wh t i affi me d
a s f thr t hi ng i not affi med o f t h e I d ea a nd
o e s r ,

xt c o up t C ommen t y]
vi e vers a
c [ T e . S ee rr . ar
 18 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E L L -B E I N G
Fr o m al l th is th e s ec o n d p o in t is p roved ,
na mely , tha t
the f ma n s his ima gina tion b ut
’
idea s is not
“

c a use o a

so me e xterna l c a u se , whic h co mpel s him to a pprehend one

thing sooner tha n n t h i s t h at

a nother , a n d it is n o o th r e th a ,

t h e t h i ng s w h o s e e ss entia ob ec tiva is in h is u n de r s ta ndi ng

j
exi s t forma l iter a nd a re n e a re r to h im t ha n oth er t h i n gs
, .

I f th e n m a n h as t h e ide a o f G o d it is cle a r t h a t G od
, , ,

m u s t exi st forma l iter t h oug h n o t eminenter a s t h e r e is , ,

idea s t h at we hav m st b e fic t ons no l ss e u

I f t h s is s o, whe nc e i e . i
c ome s it t h a t we find s c h a g re a t d ff re nc e a mo ng t h m ? For as
i e u e
r eg d s ome we s t h t it i i mp i b l e they sh ul d exi t e g al l
ar s ee a s o ss o s . .
,

mons t up p o d t b
e rs s mp ed of t wo n tu e
se o e u h an co os a r s, s c as

ani mal t h t h oul d b a b ot h s b i d nd hoe nd t h e l ik e fo a r a a rse , a , r

wh i h it i i mp o i b l t h e
c s p l e in N tu e whi h we find
ss e o av a ac a r , c

diffe ent ly c n ti tut ed ; I other ideas m y b ut n ee d not exi t ;

r o s a , ,
s

wh t he h owe e t h ey e xi t
e r, d o n t exi t t hei e e nc e i al w ys
v r, s or o s ,
r ss s a

ne y u h i the i dea f t i ng l e nd t h t f t h l ove in t he

c e sa r
s s c s o a r a , a a o e

so ul p t f m t h b dy &
a ar ro o t h t e e n if I
e o t fi t th oug h t
,
c . s a v a rs

t h t I h d i m g i n d t h e e I a m ne
a a a e th e l e omp el l e d
s ,
f t e wa ds ve r ss c a r r

t o say t h t t h y a nd w o uel d b e t h
a re , a
e m n l e v en i f n e i t h , sa e o e ss er

I no nyb od y h d
r a t h ug h t b out t he m
a e ve r They a e c on se o a . r ,

que ntl y not me e l y i m gi n d b y m nd mu t l o h e ut id e

, r a e e, a s a s av o s

me su b je c tu m ot h
a t han my e l f wi t hou t wh i h s ubie tum t hey
er s ,
c c

ca n not b e I n d d i t i on t o t he e t he
. a i y t a third ide a a nd it i s re s e ,
s

a n on l y o n t h i one c e ies wi t h it nec e y exi t n e and not

s arr ssa r s e c , ,

l ik e t h e fo e g oi ng t he m e p o i b i l i ty of exi t n e
r , fo
er in t h ss s e c : r, e

ca e s f t ho e t h e i e
o n e w
s , i nd d ne r s sey b t not t hei
c as ee c e ssa r ,
u r

exi ten whil e in it s c e b oth it exi t enc e nd it e senc e a e

s c e, as , s s a s s r

n ce
e yssa rn d it i n,o t h ian g w i t h o u t t h esm I t h e f o e e n ow . re r se

30 t h t th t ut h e
a e n r xi t e n e
, sse f nyt h i ng ne e d p nd on
c e , or e s c o a v r e e s

m f
e : w h own wi t h
or , a s f e n e t o t he e n d ki nd of i de
as s re re c s co as ,

th y e wh t t h y
a re e i n d p nd nt l y of me wh e t he
a e ar g d
e e e , r as re ar s

th i n e l on
e r e ss e o c eg a d b th e, nr nd exi t e n e
as r ar I s o e sse ce a s c .

find t hi t b t ue l o i nd e d m h m e
s o e r a s f t h i t h i d u n ique
, e uc or so , o s r

1 I n B t h e w h ol e of t h is fi r st p a rt of i
t h e n ot e is g v e n in t h e od y o f b
t h e t e xt , wh l e t h e i re s t is g i ve n a s a n o t e on other idea s ,
”
e g h t l ne s i i
a b ov e .
 T HAT GO D E X I S TS 19

n oth ing m ore r e al or m or e excellen t be s ide or o u tside h im . N

N o w th a t ma n h a s th e ide a of Go d th i s is clear bec aus e h e

, , ,

kn ows h is a t trib u te sfl w h ich a ttribu te s c a nn ot be derived

f ro m [ m an ] h ims el f bec a u se h e is impe rf ec t And th a t h e
, .

kn ows th e s e attr ibu tes is eviden t fro m t h i s n a mely that h e , ,

k no w s th a t th e i n fi ni t e c a nn ot be O b ta ined b y p ut ting toge th er

dive rs fini t e p a r ts th a t th e r e c a nn ot be t w o I infinite s b ut ,

id ea n ot o nl y does it n t d p end o e on me , b ut, on t he c ontrar y , he

a l on e I I mu t b e the su bjectum of th t whi c h I ffi m of him C on
s a a r .

se que nt l y if he di d n t xi t I sh oul d not b

,
b l e t o asse t nyth i ng
o e s , e a r a

a t al l abou t him ; al t houg h t h i c an be d one in t he c ase of ot h e s r

t h i ng s e e n wh e n t h ey d not exi st
,
v H e mu t al so b e i ndeed t he
o . s , ,

su biec tu m o f l l o t he t h i ng a r s.

F om wh at h
r b een i d o fa it i c l earl y mani fest that t he idea
as sa s r s

of i n fini te a t t ib u t e in t he p e fec t b ei ng is no fi t ion ; we hal l

r s r c s ,

h weve
o t i ll a dd t he f l l o wi ng
r, s o

A c c o d i ng t o t h e f o eg i ng c on i de t ion of N t u e we h ve so
r r o s ra
.
a r , a

far not b ee n b l e t o di c o e a m e t h n t wo att i b ut e s onl y wh i c h

s v r or a r

b el ong t o t h i s l l -p e fec t b ei ng a A nd t he e g i ve u not h i ng adequat e

r . s s

to t i fy u
sa t hat t h i
s i al l of wh i h t h i p e fec t b ei ng onsi s t
s s s c s r c s, 20

quit e t he c ont y we find in u a something whi h p enl y t el l us

rar , s c o s

n ot onl y of mo e b ut of i nfini t e p f t tt ibut e

r , whi c h mu t er e c a r s, s

b l ong t o t h i s p e fec t b e ing befo e h c n b e

e r i d to b e pe fe c t r e a sa r .

A n d when e c ome t h i s i d a of p e fec t i on ? T hi something c annot

c s e r s

b t he out c ome of t h e e t wo [ t t i b ut e ]
e f t wo c n onl y yiel d
s a r s : or a

t wo nd not
, a n i n fini ty Wh enc e t h n ? F om my e l f never ;
a . e r s ,

el e I mu t b e b l t g i e wh t I d id n t p sse
s s a e o Whe nc e t hen
v a o o ss .
, ,

b ut f om t he i nfini t e t t ibut e s t hem el ve whi c h t el l us tha t t hey

r a r s s

a re , wit hout howeve t el l i ng u at t h e ame t i me wha t t hey r e s, s ,

ar

f o onl y of t wo d o we k now wh t t h ey
r a are .

1 H is a ttribu tes it i b e t te [t o s y] b ec use he k nows wh t is

'
s r a , a a

p op e t o God ; f o t he e t h i ng [infinit y p e fec t i on & c ] a e no

r r r s s , r , . r

a t t ib u t e s of G od
r Wi t hout t h se i ndeed G d c oul d not b e God
. e , , o ,

b t it is n t t h oug h t h e m [t h t he is God] i nc e th ey show not hi ng

u o r a , s

s ub t nt i l
s a b ut e onl y l ik e a dj ec t ive
a , ar wh i c h equi e sub s tantive s s r r

o t h ei
r exp l anat i on
r .

I B o mit
”
t wo s .

11 B mi t l o s a one .
 GO D , M AN, AND H IS W E LL -BE IN G
1 onl y one
p e rf ec t a n d immu ta ble f or w e kn ow
; t h at it is ,

t h a t n ot h ing s eeks o f i ts el f it s o w n a nni h il a t i o n a n d al so

, , ,

t h at it c a n no t c h a nge in t o a nyth i n g be tt e r 1 beca u s e it is ,

‘

pe rf ec t wh ic h it would n o t be in th at cas e or a l so t h at s uch

, ,

a bei n g c a nn ot be s ubj ec t ed t o a ny t h ing o u ts ide it s ince it ,

is o mnip ot en t a nd so f orth , .

Fr o m a l l th i s th en it foll ows cle ar ly th a t w e c a n p r ove

, ,

b oth a priori a nd a p osteriori th at God exi sts B e tt er in .

,

deed a priori F or th ings w h ich a re p roved in t h e l atte r

, .

w a y [ a p osteriori] mu st be p rov ed th r o ugh th ei r e xt e r n a l

_

c a u s e s wh ic h is a m a ni f e s t im p e r f e c tion I in t h em i na s
, ,

muc h a s t h ey c a nn ot ma ke th em s elve s kn ow n 11 thr ough

th em s elve s b u t o nly t h r ough ex t e r n a l c a u s e s
, G o d h ow .
,

ever w h o is th e fi rs t ca u s e of a l l th ing s a nd a l s o th e c au s e
, ,

o f h im s el f c a usa su i] m a ke s h i ms el f kn ow n t h r o ug h h im
[ ,

s el f H ence o ne need not atta ch much importa nce t o th e

.

s a ying of Th o m as Aq uin a s n a mely t h a t G o d c o uld not be , ,

p roved a priori beca u s e h e f orsooth h as n o c au s e , ,

.

1 Th e
‘
cae woul d have t o b eithe out id e o
u e of t h i
s s c h ang e r s , r

in it I t c nnot b out i d e b e u se n sub tanc e wh i h l ik e t h i s

. a e s , ca o s c
, ,

exi t t h oug h i t el f dep end on nythi ng out i de it the efo e it is

s s r s s a s r r

not su b c t t o cha nge throug h it

j e N n it be i n it b e c a us no . or ca : e

t h i ng muc h l ess t hi s des i e it

, own und oi ng ; ,
l l u ndoi ng c omes
r s s a

f om ou t side
r A g i n t h t t h e e ca n be n o fini t e sub t an e is
.
‘
a , a r s c

c l ea f om t h i
r b au
r in t hat c ase it w ul d ne e
s, ec sei l y h ve t o o c s sa r a

have omet h i ng wh i c h it h d f om n t h i ng
s wh i h is i mp ibl e ;
a r o : c o ss

fo when
r h as it t hat wh e ei n it d i ff e
ce f om God P C e t i nl y n t r rs r r a o

f om God ; fo h e h
r no t h i ng i mp e fec t o
r fini t e &c
as wh enc e r r , . : ,

th e efo e b u t f om not h i ng ?
r r ,
r
"

I B an ext e me i mp e fec t ion

: r r .

I I B omi t s k nown
”
.
22 GO D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G
2. Th a t t h ere
like s ub s t a n ce s ar e n o t t wo .

3 Th a t on e s ub st a nce c a nn o t p r o duce a n o th e r
. .

4 T h a.t in t h e i n fini t e unde r s t a nding o f G o d t h er e

is n o o th e r s ub s ta n ce t h a n t h at w h ic h is f orma l iter in
N at u r e .

As r eg a rd s t h e fi r s t n a mely t h a t t h e r e is n o fini te s u b , ,

st a nce & c s h o uld a n n w n t t o m a in ta i n t h e o pp o s i t e

'

, y o e .a , ,

w e wo uld as k t h e f o ll o w ing que s ti o n n a mely w h e th e r th i s , ,

s ub st a n ce is fini te t h r o ug h i ts el f w h e th e r it h a s m a de ,

i tsel f th u s fini te a n d did n ot w a n t to m a ke i ts el f le ss fini t e

or w h e t h e r it is t h u s fin i t e t h r o ug h it s c a u s e w h ic h c a u s e ,

o mni p ote nc e, t he s e c on d is c o nt ra r y t o h is g o od n e ss .
I 2 . Th at
there ca n be no fi nite s u b sta nc e is c l e ar fro m t h i s, na me l y ,
t ha t , if

so, it wo l d il y h ve s me t hi ng wh i h it woul d h e f om
u ee
n c ssa r a o c av r

N thi ng whi h i i mp
o , i b l e Fo wh n e c an it de i e t h t
c s os s . r e c r v a

whe i n it d i ffe
re f om G d ? C e t i nl y n t f om God f
rs r he h s o r a o r , or a

n t h i ng i mp e f
o t o fin i t e & S o whenc e t h en b ut f om
r ec r ,
c .
,
r

N t hi ng ? Th fo e t h i no ub t n
o e re th t h n i nfini t e
r e re s s s a ce o er a .

Wh n e it fol l ow th t there c a nnot b e two l ike infinite su b

e c s, a

s ta nc es f o t p i t u h n e e si t t e l i mi t t i n
r o os And f om t hi
s c c s a s a o . r s,

g i n it f l l w tha t one su b t n c e ca nnot p r odu e a nothe n ; t hu

a a , o o s s a c s

T he u t h t w mi g ht up p t p od e t h i ub t n mu t
ca se a e s os e o r uc s s s a ce s

h v th
a e m tt i b u t I I
e sa t h o ne p
e a du e d r nd l ei t h j u t
e as e ro c , a a so er s

as mu h p f t ion II I
c m e o l
er ec T h fi t u p p i t i on i or or r e ss . e rs s os s

not p o i b l b u e t h e w ul d t he n b t wo l ike [ ub t nc e s]
ss e, eca s er o e s s a .

The ond l
se c n ot b u in t h t se t he woul d b e
a so , eca se a ca re a

fini t e [ u b t n ] s N t he t h i d
s a b u e s m t hi ng ann t
ce . or r , ec a s o e c o

c om f om no t h i ng — M ore v
e r if t he fini t I I II me f om o e r, e ca r

th e i nfini t t h n t h i nfinit IIII I w ul d l o be finit e & c

e, e e e o a s ,
.

The f e re or n b t an e n no t p od u
o e su not h e s A nd f mc ca r ce a r . ro

t hi formal iter ”
g n it f l l ow tha t a l l su bs t n e mu s t exis t
“
s, a ai , o s a c ,

fo if it d id not xi t t h
r w ul d b n p o i
e b i l i ty f s it
, t o c o me e re o e o ss or

i nt o exi t n s e ce .

-B
H om it s h e re t h e ne x t i
fiv e l ne s w h , i ch it h a s a l rea d y g i v e n at the
e nQ o f t h e l a s t n ot e in th e firs t c h a p t e r
ib
.

B : a t t r ut e s
i
.

B om it s t h e se v e n w o rd s a nd al so p e rfec t on
i i
.

B : n n te fi .
11111 B : t h e c a u se .
 WHAT GO D I S 3

e i t h e r c oul d not or w o uld n o t give m o re ? Th e fi rst 1

[ a l t e r n a t ive ] is n o t t r ue be c a u s e it is imp o ss ible t h at a

,

s ubs t n ce s ho uld h a ve w a n t ed t o m a ke i tsel f fini t e e speci a lly

a ,

a s ub s t a nce w h ic h h a d c o me i n t o exi s t e n ce t h r oug h i ts el f .

Th er e f o r e I s ay it is m a de fini t e by its c a u s e w h ic h is
, , ,

n ece ss a rily G o d F ur th er if it is fini t e th ro ugh its c a u s e

. ,
,

t h i s mu s t be s o ei th e r bec a u s e it s c a u s e c o uld n o t give

m or e o r bec a u s e it w ould n o t give m or e T h a t h e sh o uld
, .

n ot h av e bee n a ble t o give m o r e w o uld c o n tra dic t h is

o mn ip o te n c e f r th a t h e s h o uld n ot h a ve been w illing

t o give m or e w h en h e c o uld w ell d o s o sa v ou rs o f ill
, ,

w ill w h ic h is n ow i s e in G od wh o is a l l g oo dne s s a nd
, ,

perf ec t i on .

A s r ega r d s t h e s ec ond ; tha t there a re not two l ike su b s ta nce s ,

w e p rove th i s o n t h e g ro und t h a t e a c h s ub s t a n c e is pe r fec t

.

in its kind ; f o r if t h e r e we r e t w o a li k e th ey w o uld n e c e s

J
r To sa y i
t o t h s tha t the na ture o f t he thing r e quired suc h

[l imita tion] a nd tha t it c ou l d n ot the r e fo e b e otherwise t h t i n

r , a s o

r ep l y : for t h e n at ue r of a i
t h ng c a n re qui n th i ng wh il e it d e
re o o s

n ot e x st i . S h oul d yo u say t ha t o ne may, ne ve r t h e l e ss , se e wha t

bel ong s to t he na t u r of e a t h ng i wh i ch do e s no t exi t s t h at u
is t r e

a eg
s r exi t n b ut by
ard s it s me n
s e ce, it no a s as reg d ar s s e ss n e ce .

A nd he e i n l ie t h d i ff e n e b t w n rea ting
r s e nd g n ra ting
re c e ee c a e e .

To e te i t o p i t t hi ng quo a d essenti m t existenti m s imul

cr a s os a a e a

t gi e o t h i ng b t h
v e n nd exi t n ] ; whi l in t h
a o e ss ce a s e ce e e

c ase of g ne t i on t h i ng
e ra me f t h qu a a d xis t nti m sol am
a co s or e e a

it onl y e e i e s exi t e nc e] r c A nd t h e e f e t h e e i n ow in
v s . r or r s

Nt a u re no t i n b u t o nl y g e ne t i n
c re a o S o t h t wh en God ra o . a

c te
re a h s e te t on e t h n tu e of t h t hi ng wi th t he
e cr a s a c e a r e

t h i ng i t el f H e woul d t he e fo
s . h w il l -wi l l if ( f om l k of r re s o r ac

wil l n d not
, a f p owe ) h a t ed t he t h i ng in
o r uc h w y t h t
e c re s a a a

it h l d n t ag ee wi t h it
s ou o u e in r n e nd exi t nc e s ca s e ss e c a s e .

H oweve wh t we h e c l l
r, a e t i on n erl l y n ot b a id cr a ca re a e sa

e e t o h ve t k en p l c e nd it i onl y ment i oned t o i nd ic t e

v r a a a , a s a

wh t wa n y e b o ca
u t it if wsa
e d tai ng u i h b e t w ee n ,c r e a ting n d is s a

g enera ting .
 24 GO D , MA N, AN D H IS W E LL-B E I N G
.
u s a r il y l imi t n oth e r a n d w ould c ons equen tly no t be
on e a ,

i n fin i t e a s w e I h ave a l r e a dy s h o w n be f or e
, .

AS t o t h e t h i r d n a mely tha t one su b sta nc e c a nnot p rodu c e

, ,

a n othe r : s h o uld a n o n e a g a in m a i n t a i n t h e o pp o s i t e we
y ,

a sk w h e th e r t h e c a u s e w h i c h is s upp o s ed t o p r o duce t h i s
,

s ub s t a n c e h a s o r h a s n ot t h e s a me a t t ibu t e s a s t h e
,
r

p ro du c ed [ s ub sta n ce ] Th e l att e r is imp os s ible bec a u s e

.
,

s o me th i n g c a n n ot c o me f ro m n o th i n g ; th er e for e th e
f o r me r . A n d t h en w e as k w h e th e r in t h e at tr ibu t e w h i c h
is p r e s umed t o be t h e c a u s e o f t h i s p r o duced [ s ub st a nce ] ,

t h e r e 18 j u s t a s muc h pe r f e c t i o n a s in t h e p r o du c ed
s ub s t a n ce o r le s s o r m o r e
,
Le ss w e say t h e r e c a n n ot be
, .
, , ,

f or t h e r e a s o n s gi ven a b ove M o r e al s o n ot w e say

*
.
, , ,

bec a u s e in th at c a s e t h i s s e c o n d o ne w ould be fini t e w h ich ,

is o pp os ed t o w h a t h as a l r e a d y bee n p r ov ed by u s Ju st a s .

muc h t h e n ; t h ey a r e t h e e f or e a li k e a n d II a re tw o li k e
,
r ,

s ub s ta n c e s w h ic h cle a rly c o n fli c t s w i t h o u r p e vi o u s
,
r

dem on strat i o n Fu r th e r t h at w h ich is c r eat ed is by

.
,

n o me a n s p r o duced f r o m N o th i n g b u t mu s t n e c e s s ar ily ,

h av e bee n p r o du c ed f ro m s o m e th i n g e xi s t i n g B u t th t . a

s o me th i n g s h o uld h a v e c o me f o th f r o m t h i s a n d t h a t it r ,

s h o uld n o n e t h e le s s h av e t h i s s o rie th in g e v e n f t e r it h a s r a

i ss ued f ro m it t h a t w e c a n n o t gra s p w i th o u r u n de r
,

s t a n ding . L a s t ly if w e w o uld s eek t h e c a u s e o f t h e

,

s ub s t a n ce w h ic h is t h e o r igi n o f t h e t h ing s w h ic h i s s ue

f r o m it s a t tr ibu t e t h e n it be h o ve s u s to s eek a l s o t h e c a u s e
,

o f t h a t c a u s e a n d t h e n a ga in t h e c a u s e o f t h a t c a u s e
,
et ,
c

sic in infinitu m ; s o t h a t if w e mu s t nece s s a r ily s t o p a n d

h a l t s o me w h e r e a s indeed w e mu s t it is nece ss a ry t o s t op
, ,

a t t h i s o n ly s ub s ta n ce .

A s r eg a r d s t h e f o u r t h tha t there is no su b sta nc e or a tt ib ute

,
r

in the infinite understa nding of God othe r tha n wha t exists

forma l iter in Na tu re th i s c a n be a nd is p rove d by u s
”
, , ,

( 1 ) f r o m t h e in fini t e p o we r of God s ince in h im t h e r e c a n

IE I mi t ”
: .
II B h nd as “
or, a o s
“
a re .
 26 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
N f ro m God s o mni s cience I f G od is omni s ci e n t th e n h e
’

c a n k n o w n o t h ing m o r e ; b u t t h t G o d c a n k n o w n o th ing
a

m or e is i n c omp atible w i th h is pe rf e c t i o n ; t h er e f or e
B u t if G o d h a s a l l in h is unde rst a ndi ng a n d o w i n g t o h is , ,

infi n i t e pe fec ti on c a n kn ow n oth ing m or e w ell th e n w h y

r , , ,

c a n w e n ot s a t h a t h e h a s a l s o c r e a t ed a l l t h a t h e h a d in
y
h is u n de r s ta n di n g a n d h a s m a de it s o t h a t it exi s ts o r
,

s h o uld e xi s t f orma l ite r in N a t u r e P

S i n ce t h en w e k n o w t h a t a l l ali k e is in th e infini t e
, ,

unde rst a n d ing of G od a nd th a t th e r e is n o c a u s e w h y h e

,

s h o uld h a ve c r e a t ed t h i s s o o ne r a n d m o r e t h a n th a t a n d ,

t h at h e c o uld h a ve p r o duced a l l t h ing s in a m o men t s o l e t ,

u s s e e f or o nce w h e t h e r w e c a n n o t u s e ag a in s t th em t h e
, ,

s a m e w e a p o n s w h ic h t h ey ta ke up a g a i n st u s ; n a mely ,

th us :
If God c a n neve r c r e a t e s o much t h at h e c a nn o t c r e a t e
m or e th en h e c a n n eve r c re a t e w h at h e c a n c r e at e ; b u t
,

t h a t h e c a nn o t c r e a t e w h at h e c a n c r e a t e is s el f-c ont ra
d ic t ory Th e r e f o r e
.

No w t h e r e as o n s w h y w e s a id t h a t a l l t h e s e a tt r ibu t e s ,

w h ic h are in N at u r e ar e b u t o n e s ingle being a n d by n o

, ,

me a n s di ff e r en t th ings ( a l th ou gh w e c a n kn o w th em cle ar ly
a n d di st i n c t ly t h e o n e w i th ou t t h e o th er a nd t h e o th e r ,

w i th o u t a n o th e r) are t h e s e
,

1. B ec a u s e w e h av e f o und a l r ea dy be f or e t h a t t h er e
mu st be a n infi n i t e a n d per f ect being by w h ic h n oth i n g ,

el s e c an be me a n t th a n s uc h a being of w h ic h a l l in a l l
mu st be p r edic at ed Wh y ? [ B ec au s e ] to a being w h ich
.

h a s a ny e s s e n ce a ttr ibu t e s mu st be r e f e rr ed a nd th e m o r e ,

e s sen c e o n e a s c r ibe s to it t h e m or e attrib u t e s a l s o mu s t

,

o n e a s c r i b e t o it a n d c o n s e q uen t ly it a being is infi n i t e

,

t h en its a t tr ibu t e s a l s o mu s t be infini t e a n d t h i s is ju st ,

wh at w e c a ll a pe r f ec t I bei n g .

2. B ec a u s e o f th e u n i ty w h ic h w e s e e eve ry w h e r e in

B a n i nfini t e
I .
 WHAT GO D I S 2
7

N a tu re If th er e w e r e di ff e ren t beings in it r t h en it w o uld

.
‘

be imp oss ible f or th em t o uni t e w i th o ne a n oth er .

3 B. e c a u s e a l th o ug h a s w e h a ve a l r e a dy s een , on e ,

s ub s t a nce c a n n o t p ro duce a n o t h e r a n d if a s ub s t a nce d o e s ,

n o t e xi s t it is imp oss ible f or it t o begin t o exi s t w e s e e , ,

n eve r th ele s s t h a t in n o s ub s t a nce ( w h ic h w e n o ne t h e le s s

,

kn ow t o exi st in N a tu r e ) wh en c o n s ide r ed s ep a ra t ely is , ,

t h e r e a n y nece ss i t y t o be re a l s ince exi st ence d o e s n o t ,

pe rta in t o it s s ep arate e ss e nc e r l S o it mu st n ecessa r ily .

‘ ‘

f o ll o w t h a t N a t u r e w h ic h r e s ul t s fr o m n o c a u se s a n d I , ,
O

w h ic h w e n e ve r th ele s s kn o w t o exi s t mu s t nece s sar ily be a ,

pe rf ect being t o wh ic h exi st ence bel o ngs .

From a l l th at we h ave s o f ar said it is eviden t th en th a t , ,

w e p os i t e xt en s i o n a s a n a ttribu t e of G od ; a nd t h i s s e e m s
n ot at a l l a pp r o p r i a t e t o a pe rf ec t being : f or s i n ce ex ten

s i o n is divi s ible t h e perf ec t being w o uld h ave t o c o n s i s t o f

,

p a r ts a nd th i s is a l toge th e r in a pplic a ble to God bec au e

, ,
s

1 Tha t is if t h e e we e d i ffe ent sub t nc es whic h we e not r s a

“

,
r r r

c onn ec t d in o n o nl y b i ng t he n t he i u n on woul d b
e e e i mp ossib l
, r i e e,

b e u e we e
ca s l ea l y t h t t h y have n t hi ng a t l l in c ommon it
s e c r a e o a , 20

is o wi th t houg h t nd ext e nsi on f wh i h w n e e t h el s onsi s t

s a o c e v r es c .

H Th t i if no sub t nc e c n b e ot h t han eal nd y t

‘
a s, s a a er r ,
a e

exi t enc e d oes not fol l ow f om it es enc e when it is c on id d

s r s s , s e re

by i t el f it fol l ows that it is not om thing i ndep nd nt b t mu t

s , s e e e , u s

b e ome t h i ng t h t i
s n t t i b ut e of
, a not he t h i ng
s, a na mel y t h e
a r ,
a r , ,

o ne o nl y and u ni ve s l be i g
, , 0 t hu A l l ub st n e is e l nd
r a n . 1 s : s a c r a ,
a

when a sub tanc e i onsi d e ed b y i t sel f it

s s exis tenc e doe not
c r s s

fol l ow f o m it s e s e nc e ; t he e fo e n o exi t i ng sub t n e

r s n be r r , s s a c ca

k n wn t h ough i t sel f b t it mu t b el ng t o ome thing l e Th t

o r ,
u s o s e s . a

i whe n wit h ou unde ta nd i ng we c onsi de sub t nt ial Thoug ht 30 ”

s, r rs r s a

and sub t nt i l E xt n i o t he n we c on i de t he m onl y in t he i

s a a e s n, s r r

es se n e nd not as exi st i ng t h t i [we d o n ot

c a on i d e ] t h t t h e i
,
a s c s r a r

exi t en e nec e il y p e t in t t he i e nc e When h weve w

s c ssar r a s o r s se .
, o r, e

p r o v e [ f e c h] ot h t it i a n t t i b u t
a f G d w e s t h e ae b y p oae r e o o , r r v a

i i t h t it exi t s d a p ost eriori ( d e xt en i n l ne

)
p r o r a s ,eg an as r ar s s o a o

w e i exi t e n ] f m h m d e w h i h m u e e i l
[ e p o v r t s o t s o ce s t nr c y e s c s sar

h ave it fo t h i su bjec tu m r e r .
28 GO D, MAN AND , H IS W E LL -B E I N G
h e is imple being M ore ove r wh en ext e n si on is di vided
a s .
,

it is p a ss ive a n d w i t h Go d ( w h o is ne v e r p a ss ive a n d
, ,

ca nn ot be a ff ect ed by a ny ot h e r bei ng beca u se h e is t h e ,

fir st e ffi c ien t ca u s e of a l l ) t h i s c a n by n o me a n s be th e c a s e .

To t h i s w e r eply : ( 1 ) t h at p a rt and w h o le ar e n o t
“ “

t r ue o r r e a l e n t i t ie s b u t o nly t h i n g s o f r e a so n a nd ,
“
,
”

c on s equen t ly th e r e a r e in Nat ure t nei th e r w h ole n or p art s .

( 2 ) A t h ing co mp os ed o f di ff e r en t p a r ts must be s uc h t h a t
t h e p a r t s t h e r e o f t a ken s ep a ra t ely c a n be c o ncei ved a n d , ,

unde rstood one w i th ou t a n oth e r Ta ke f or in st a nce a .

, ,

cl o c k w h ich is c omp os ed of m a ny di ff e r e n t wh eel s c or d s , ,

a nd o t h e r th ing s in it I sa y e a c h w h eel c or d & c c an be , , , ,

.
,

N tu e th t i in b t nt i l E xt n i on fo if t h i s we e ”
1 In a r , a s, su s a a e s r r

divid d it n tu nd b ei ng woul d b e at n e nni hil ted as it exi t s

e s a re a o c a a , s

onl y a i nfini t e ext n ion

s wh i h c ome t o t h e me it exist
e s , or , c s sa , s

o nl y a a wh l e s o .

B ut h u l d y u ay i t h e in ext n i on n p t p i o t al l
s o o s : s er , e s , o ar r r o

it s m od e ? I y c e t i l y not
s B t y
sa m y ay i n e t h e i
,
r a n . u ou a s , s c er s

mot i n in m t t o it mu t b e in some p t f m t te fo it
a e r, n not s ar o a r, r ca

b e in t he wh ol e b eca u e t h i i i nfini t e ; nd wh it he sh l l it b e
, s s s a r a

mo e d wh n t h e i n t hi ng u t i d e it ? T h ef e it mu t b in
v , e er s o o s er or s e

a p t I ar M y n we i
. M ot i n l one d
a s not e xi st b u t
r nl ys : o a oe s , o

mot i n nd e t t g et he
o a d t h i i in t h wh l e nd mu st b e in
r s o r an s s e o , a

it b, u e t he i no p t in xte n i n S houl d you howe e

ec a s re s ar e s o .
,
v r,

sa y th t th a i t h n t el l m
e re if y u d i vi de t he wh l e of ext e n i n
s, e e o o s o

t he n ,g d s ny p t whi h you c t off f m it in t houg h t

a s re ar a ar n yo c u ro ,
ca u

l o s p
a s t e it in n tu
e ara f o m l l [oth e ] p t nd up p o i ng t h i
a re r a r ar s a s s s

h as b een d ne I k wh t i t h
o , b et w th p
as t c ut off I I nd
,
a s e re e en e ar a

t he tre s Y u mu t y uum
o th body o omethi ng
s sa ,
a vac , or a n o er , r s

of ext en i n i t s l f ; t he e i n o fou t h p o i b il ity

s o e T he fi t wi l l n ot
r s r ss . rs

do b ,
u th e e i n o
e ca se uum ometh i ng p i t i e nd y t no
r s va c , s os v a e

b od y n th e ond b u e t h n t h e w ul d xi st mode
or e s c , eca s e er o e a ,

wh i h c nn t b ca i nc e III ext n i n ext en i on i wit ho t nd

o e, s e s o as s s u a

p i
r o t r l l m o
o ad T h f e t h t h i d es nd t h n t h e
. is n o p te re o r e r a e re ar

b t nl y t h wh ol e f xt
u o e i n I I II o e e ns o .

B mi t t h i
q.
4 o t s II B
s se n e n c e p t d . : se a ra e .

11 1 B t h f : 1111
e re oreB b t t i. d i d i i ibl : u e x e n s o n o ne a n n v s e .
 30 G O D, MAN AND , H IS W E LL -B E I N G
M o re ove r w e h av e a l r e a dy s tated a n d w e shall r epe at it
, ,

l a te r th a t o utside G od t h e re is noth ing at a l l a nd th at h e is

, ,

a n I mma ne nt C a u se No w p a s s ivi ty wh eneve r t h e a gen t

.
, ,

an d t h e p a t ien t ar e di ff e r en t e n t i t ie s is a p a lp a ble im p e r f e c ,

t i on beca u s e t h e p a t ie n t mu st n ece s sa r ily be depe n den t o n

,

th a t w h ich h as c a u s ed t h e p a ss ivi ty f r o m o u t s ide ; it h as ,

t h e r e f or e n o pl a ce in G od w h o is pe r f ec t
,
Furth er m o r e
, . ,

o f Suc h a n a gen t w h o a c t s in h im s el f it c a n ne v e r be s a id

t h a t h e h a s t h e impe r f ec t i o n o f a p at ien t bec a u s e h e is n ot ,

a ff ec t ed by a n o t h e r s uc h f o r in s t a nce is t h e c a s e w i t h t h e
, ,

understa nding w h ich a s th e p h il oso ph ers a l so a sse r t is th e

, , ,

c au s e of its ide as s i n ce h ow e ve r it is a n imm a n e n t c au se

, , , ,

w h a t r ig h t h a s o n e t o sa y t h a t it is impe r f ec t h ow s o ev e r ,

f r equen t ly it is a ff ec t ed by i t s el f ? I La st ly s ince s ub st a n ce ,

is [ t h e c a u s e ] a n d t h e o r igi n of a l l its m ode s it ma y w i t h ,

f ar gr e a t e r r ig h t be c a lled a n a ge nt t h a n a p a t ie n t And .

w i t h t h e s e r em a k s w e c on s ide r a l l a dequ a t ely a n sw e r ed

r .

I t is f u r th e r o bj ec t ed t ha t t h er e mu s t nece s sa r ily be a
,

fir s t c a u s e w h ic h s e ts b o dy in m oti o n bec a u s e w h en a t r e s t ,

it is imp o ss ible f o r it t o s e t i ts el f in m o t i o n And s ince it .

is cle ar ly m a n i f e s t t h a t r e st a nd m ot i o n e xi st in N a t u r e ,

t h e s e mu s t t h ey t h i n k nece s sa r ily r e s ul t f r o m a n e xt e r n a l
, ,

c a u s e B ut it is ea sy f or u s to r eply t o th i s f or w e c o ncede
.

t h a t if b o dy w e r e a t h i n g exi st ing th r o ug h i ts el f a n d h a d n o
, ,

o th e r a t t r ibu te s t h a n le ng th b r e a d t h a n d dep t h t h en if it , , , ,

r e a lly r e s t ed t h e r e w o uld be in it n o c a u s e w h e r eby t o begin

t o m ove i t s el f b u t w e h av e a l r ea dy st a t ed be f o r e that
Na tu re is a b eing of whic h al l a ttrib ute s a re p redic a te d, a n d

th i s bei n g s o it c a n be l ac king in n oth i n g wh e re w i th t o

,

30 p r o duce al l that th e r e is t o be p ro duced .

H aving s o f a r di s cu ss ed wh at G od is w e sh all s ay b u t ,

a w o r d a s it w e r e a b o u t h is a ttr ibu t e s : t h a t th os e w h ic h
, ,

a r e kn o w n t o u s c o n s i s t o f t w o o nly n a mely Thou ht a n d

g , ,

I B A nd l th oug h t he unde t andi ng as t he p h il op h e s say

: a rs , os r ,

i s a cau e of it i dea y t in e it is an i mmanent c au e &

s s s, e , s c s ,
c .
 W HAT GO D I S 31

E xte nsion fo r h e re we s peak o nly of a tt r ibu t e s wh ic h H

might be c a lled th e proper attrib utes o f G od I th ,

r o ug h

w h ic h w e c o me t o kn ow h im [ a s h e is ] in h im s el f a nd n ot ,

[ me r ely
] a s h e a cts
[ t o w ar d s t h ings ] o u ts ide h im s el f All .

el se th en tha t men as c r ibe t o G o d bey o n d t h e s e t w o

, ,

a ttr ibu t e s a l l th a t ( if it o th e rw i s e pe rt a in s t o h im) mu s t be

,

ei th er a n e xt ra ne o u s de n omi n at i on s uch as that he exists ,

” ’

through himsel f is E ter nal One I mmu tab l e & c o r I s ay h a s

, , , , .
, , ,

r e f e r e n ce t o h is a c t ivi t y s u c h a s t h a t h e is a c a u se e des
, p r ,

tines a n d ru l es a l l t h ing s : a l l w h ic h a r e p r ope r t ie s of G o d

, ,

b u t gi ve u s n o in for m a ti o n a s t o wh a t h e is B u t h ow a n d in
.

w h a t m a nne r t h e s e attr ibu t e s c a n neve rt h ele s s h ave a pl a ce in

G o d w e s h a ll expl a i n I n th e f o ll o w ing c h a p t e rs B u t f or .
,

t h e be tt e r u n de r st a n ding o f t h i s II a n d in f u rth e r exp o s i t i o n

t h e re of III w e h a ve t h o ug h t it w ell
,
a n d h a v e decided to
a d d t h e f o ll o w ing a rgumen t s c o n s i s t ing o f a Di a l o gu e
[ ]
I B : whi c h may t rul y b e ed God i b ut
’
c al l s a t tr es .

I I B of t he foreg oi ng .
I II B : of wha t we m e
an to sa y .
 [ FI R S T] DIAL O GU E

BE T WE E N TH E UN D E R S TAN D I NG , LO V E , R E A S O N ,

A ND D E S I R E

LO VE . I se e , er t h a t b oth m y e s s e n ce a n d pe rf ect i o n
B rot h ,

depend o n y o u r pe rf ec t i o n a n d s i n ce th e pe rf e ct i on o f t h e
o bj ec t w h i c h yo u h a v e c o n c eived is y o u r pe r f e c t i o n w h ile ,

f r o m y o u rs a g a in mi n e p r o ceed s s o t ell me n ow I p r ay y o u
, , ,

w h e t h e r yo u h av e c o n c ei v ed s uc h a bei n g a s is s up r emely
pe rfec t n ot c a p a ble o f bei ng limi t ed by a n y o th e r a n d in
, ,

w h ic h I a l s o a m c o mp r e h e n ded .

U ND E R S TAND ING I f o r my p a r t c o n s ide r N a t u r e o nly

.

in it s t ot a li t y a s i n fi n i t e a n d s up r e m ely pe rf ec t b u t y o u
, , ,

if yo u h a ve a n y d o ub t s a b o u t it a s k R e a s o n sh e w ill , ,

t ell yo u .

R E AS O N T o me t h e t r u t h o f t h e m a t t e r is i n dubi ta b le f o r
.
,

if w e w o uld limi t N a t u r e t h e n w e s h o uld a b s u r dly en o ug h , ,

h av e to limi t it w i t h a m e r e N oth i n g I w e a v o id t h i s a b s u r di ty
by stat i ng th a t it is One E terna l Unity infinite omnipotent , , ,

t h a t is t h a t N at u r e is i n fi n i t e a n d t h a t a l l is c o n t a i n ed
,

t h e r ei n a n d t h e neg a t ive o f t h i s w e c a ll N ot h i n g .

D E S IR E Ah indeed ! it is w on dr o u sly c ong r u ou s t o s u p

.

p os e t h at Unity is in keeping w i th t h e Difierence w h i c h I

o b s e r v e e v e ry w h e r e in N a t u r e B u t h ow . I se e th at th i n k
in g s ub s t a n c e h a s n o th ing in c om m o n w i t h extended s u b
s ta nc e a n d t h a t t h e o n e limi t s [ n o t] t h e o th e r ; a n d if in a ddi
, ,

t i o n t o t h e s e s ub sta n ce s y o u w a n t t o p os i t y e t a t h i r d o n e
,

w h ic h is pe r f ec t in a l l r e s pec t s t h en l ook h o w y o u inv o l ve

,

I A and B nt i nu co m e v u d
e : t he fol l owi ng
or o e r n t t i b ute
er a r s,

n mel y
a , t h t it i
a One E tern l infin ite through its e l f ; we
s a ,
,

v id
a o
30
 34 GO D, MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
4
D uni te al l th es e in one I so I al so c onclude f rom y ou r ow n , ,

p r oofs th at Both I nfinite E xtension a nd Thought together with

,

a l l othe r infinite a ttrib u te s ( o r a c c o r di n g t o y o u r u s a ge o th e r , ,

s u b sta nc es ) a r e o n ly m o de s o f t h e One E terna l I nfinite B eing , , ,

who exists through hims el f ; a n d f r o m a l l t h e s e w e p o s i t a s ,

s ta teii A n Onl y One o r a Unity ou t s ide W

, h ic h n o th i n g c a n be
imagined t o be II .

D E S I RE Meth inks I s e e a very grea t confu si o n in th i s a rgu

.

men t of you rs f or it s eem s you w ill h a ve it tha t the whol e ,

must b e something outside of or a pa rt from its pa rts w h ic h is ,

tr uly a b su rd F o r a l l p h il os op h e rs a r e un a nim o u s in s ayi n g

.

th a t “
whol e is a se cond notion, a nd tha t it is nothing in
Na ture p f r om h
au ma n t h
a rt
oug h t M o r e o ve r a s I gat h e r .
,

fr o m y ou r ex ample yo u c o n f u s e whol e w i th c a use f or as I

, ,

s a y th e wh ole o nly c o n s i s ts o f a n d [ exi s ts] th r o ug h its p a rt s

, ,

a n d s o it c o me s t h at yo u r ep r e s e n t t h e thinking p ower as a

t h ing o n wh ic h th e U nde rs t a nding L ove & c depe n d B u t , ,

.
, .

ou c a nn ot c a ll it a Whol e o nly a Ca use of the E fiec ts ju s t

y ,

n a med by you .

R E AS O N I s e e d ecidedly h ow y ou mu s t e r a l l y o u r f r iend s
.

a g a in s t me a n d t h a t a f te r t h e me th o d u su ally a d op t ed by
, ,

th os e wh o opp os e t h e tr u th yo u a r e de s igning t o a c h ieve by ,

quibbling wh a t yo u h ave n ot bee n a ble to a cc o mpli sh w i th

y ou r fa ll a ci ou s r e a soning B ut yo u w ill n ot s ucceed in .

w i n ning Lov e t o y o u r s ide by s uc h me a n s Y ou r a ss e r ti o n .

,

th en is that the c au se (s inc e it is the Originat or of the efiec ts )

, ,

must theref ore b e ou tside these B u t y ou sa y t h i s be c a u s e .

y o u o nly kn o w o f t h e tra ns eunt a n d n o t o f t h e imma ne nt

c a u se w h ic h by n o me a n s p r o d u ce s a ny th ing o u t s ide i t s e l f
, ,

a s is exemplified by t h e U nde rs t a ndi n g wh ic h is t h e c a u s e ,

o f its ideas And t hat is w h y I c a lled th e understa n di ng

.

I A: i c h you b i ng t o one nd make on f om al l t hese ;

al l wh r , a e r

B t o whi h yo b i ng al l nd mak e t he m i nt o one

c u r a .

II B O n e E t e n l s el f- ub i st ing Bei ng in whic h al l i one

, r a , s s s

an d u ni ted and out si de wh i c h u ni ty n ot hi ng

, an b e i mag i ne d t o b e c .
 U ND E RS TANDI N G L O V E , ,
RE AS O N , &c .
35

( in so f ar bec a u s e its ide as depend on it I) a c a use

a s, o r ,

a n d o n t he o th e r h a nd s ince it c o n s i s ts o f its id e a s a whol e

, ,

so a l s o God is b oth a n I mma nent Ca use with refere nce t o his

works or creatures a nd al s o a whol e c onsidered from the sec ond

, ,

p oint o f view .

I S o in B . A : it d e p e nd s on it s ide a s .
 S ECO N D DIAL O GU E
BE T W EE N
E RA S M US A ND T H E O PH I L US
R E LA TI NG P A R T LY T O TH E P R E C ED I N G ,
P A R T LY T o TH E

F O LL O W I N G S E C O ND P A RT

E RA S M U S . I ha ve h ear d y o u s a y, Th eo p h ilu s th at , G o d is
a c a u se o f al l things , a nd , a t th e s a me t ime t h a t h e
, c an be
n o other th a n an I mmanent ca use . No w , if h e is an immanent
c a u se o f al l things, h o w t h e n c a n you c a l l h im a remote I
c a u se 9 F or, t h a t is imp o s s ible in t h e c a s e o f a n Imm a nen t
c au s e .

T HE O PH ILU S W h en I s a id th a t G od is a r em ote I c a u se I
.
,

o n ly sa id it w i t h r e f e r e n ce t o t h e t h i n g s [ w h i c h G o d h as

p o du c ed medi a tely a n d n ot w i th r ef ere n ce t o t h os e ] w h ic h

r ,

G o d ( w i t h o u t a n y ot h e r c o ndi t i o n s bey o n d h is me r e e x i s t
e nc e ) h a s p r oduced im m edi at ely ; b u t o n n o a c c o u nt did
I me a n t o c a ll h im a r e m ot e I c a u s e a b s o lu t ely
'

as y o u :

m igh t a l so h av e cle ar ly g a t h e ed f r o m my r em a rk s rF or .
,

I a l so s a id th at in s o me r e s pec ts w e c an c a ll him a r em ot e
ca us e .

E R AS M U S I unde r s t a n d n o w a dequ a t ely Wh a t y o u w a n t

.

t o s a y b u t I n ot e a l s o t h a t y o u h a v e s a id tha t the efiec t of ,

the II immanent c a u se r e main s u nite d with its c a u se in such

a wa y that together they c onstitu te a whol e . No w , if t h i s is

so, t h n , e
t h n s, Go d me i k
a nn o t c
be a n imm a ne n t c a u se .

F o if h e a n d t h a t w h i c h is p r o duced by h im t oge th e r f o r m
r,

a w h o l e t h en y o u a s c r ibe t o G o d a t o n e t ime m o r e e ssen c e

,

t h a n a t a n o th e r t ime I p a y you r em ove th es e d oub ts

. r ,

f or me .

I B p i : r or II B an
. : .
38 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E LL -BE IN G
o th re c a u s e a nd wh ose defini ti o n r equi re s n o genu s pe rtain
,

t o t h e e s s ence of G od a n d s ince t h e c r e at ed t h ing s a r e n o t

c ompe ten t t o e s ta bli sh a n attr ibu t e th ey d o not incr e ase th e ,

e ssence o f God h o weve r i nt imat ely th ey bec ome u n i ted t o

,

h im Add t o th i s t h a t w h ole is b u t a th ing o f R e ason

.
,
“
,

a n d d o e s n o t di ff e r f r o m t h e ge n e ra l excep t in t h i s a l o n e t h a t

t h e gene ra l r e s ul ts fr o m v a r i o u s Di s c o n nec t ed individu a l s t h e ,

Wh ole f r o m vari ou s U ni ted i n dividua l s ; a l s o in th i s th a t

, ,

t he G ene ra l o nly c o mp r i s e s p a r ts o f th e sa me kind b u t t h e ,

W h ol e p a r ts b oth t h e s a me a n d di ff e r en t in kind I
,
.

E RAS M U S S o f a r a s t h i s is c on ce r ned y ou h a ve sat i s fied

.

me B u t in a ddi t i on t o th i s you h ave a l s o sa id th at the

.
, , ,

efl ect o f the II inner c a u se c a n n ot p erish so l ong as its c ause

l as ts t h s,i I w ell
ce rt a i n ly t rue b ut I II if th i s is so
se e , is , ,

t h en h ow c a n G od be a n inne r c a u s e of a l l t h in g s s eeing ,

t h a t m a ny t h ings pe r i s h A f te r y o u r p revi ou s di stinc t i o n

u w ill s a h
y o y t h a t God i s re a l l,y a c a u se of the efiec ts wh ic h e

has p rodu c ed immediatel y, withou t a ny other c on ditions exce p t

his a ttrib utes a l one ; a nd that these c a nnot p eris h s o l ong as

their c a u se endu res b ut that y ou do n ot c al l God a n inner c au se

f the fiec ts whose e xistenc e d oes n ot de end on him imme
o e
p
diatel y , b ut whic h ha ve co me into b eing through so me othe r

thing , exce pt in so f
ar as their c a u s es do n ot o erate , a nd c an
p
n ot o erate , p without God, n or al s o outside him, I I I I a nd th at for
th i s r e a s o n a l so s ince th ey a re n o t p roduced immedi at ely
,

by G od t h ey c a n pe r i sh B u t th i s d o e s n o t sa t i s fy me
, . .

F o r I se e t h a t you c o nclude th at th e h um a n unde r s t a nding ,

is imm or ta l bec a u s e it is a p r oduc t w h ic h God h as p r o

,

d u c e d in h im s el f No w it is imp o ss ible t h at m or e t h a n t h e
.

I B : e l esul t f om v ious unc onnec t ed i ndi

t he g en ra r s r ar

vid l s f t he
ua me k i n d ; b ut t he wh ol e f om ari ous c onnec t e d
o sa r v

i ndi i du l di ffe e nt we l l as t he same in k ind

v a s r as .

I I B : an .

I I I B : t h is I se e , is not t rue b e cau se if

, ,

III I B with out and ou t s i d e h im .

 E R A S M U S AND T H E O P H I L U S 39

at t r ibu t e s o f God sh ould h ave been nece ssary in or de r to n

i

pr o duce suc h a n unde r st a nding f or in o rde r to be a being ,

o f s uc h s up r eme pe rf ec t i o n it mu s t h a ve been c re a t ed f ro m
,

e ter ni ty j u st like a l l oth er t h i ngs w h ich depend imme

,

d ia t e l y o n G od And I h ave h ea r d you say s o if I a m not

.
,

m i s ta ke n . And th i s being s o h ow w ill you r ec oncile I ,

t h i s w i t h o u t le a ving ove r a n y di fficul t ie s

TH E O PHI LU S It is t r ue E ras mu s t h at t h e th ing s ( f or t h e
.
, ,

e xi s tence of wh ich n o oth e r t h i n g is r equi r ed excep t t h e ,

a ttr ibu t e s o f G od w h ic h h a ve been c r e a t ed immedi a t ely by

)
h im h ave been c r e a t ed fr o m e t e r ni t y I t is t o be r em ar ked .
,

h o w eve r th at a l t h o ug h in o r de r t h at a t h i n g ma y exi s t
,

t h e r e is r equi r ed a s peci a l m odific a t i on a nd II a th ing be s ide

t h e attr ibut e s of G od f or a l l t h at G od d o e s not ce a s e to be
, ,

a ble t o p ro duce a t h ing immedi a t ely F or of th e n ece s sa r y .

,

t h ing s wh ic h are r equi r ed t o b r ing th i n g s I II in t o e xi s t ence ,

s o me a re t h e r e in o r de r th a t th ey sh o uld p r o duce t h e t h ing ,

a nd ot h e rs in o r de r th a t t h e th ing s h o uld be c a p a ble of being

p roduced For e xa mple I w a nt to h ave ligh t in a ce rt ain

.
,

r o om I kindle a ligh t a nd th i s ligh ts u p t h e r o om t h r oug h

,
'

i tse l f or I open a w ind ow [ sh u tte r ] n ow th i s a c t of O pening ,

d oe s n ot i tsel f give lig h t b u t still it br i ng s it a b ou t th at th e

,

light c an en te r th e r o om I III Like w i s e in orde r to se t a

.

b o dy in m ot i o n a n oth er b o dy is r equi r ed tha t sha ll h ave a l l

t h e m ot i o n th at is t o p a s s fr om it t o th e oth e r B u t in .

or de r t o p r o duce in u s a n ide a o f G od t h e r e is n o n eed f o r

a n oth e r s peci a l t h ing t h at s h a ll h a ve w h a t is t o be p r o duced

in u s b ut only s uch a b o dy in Nature w hos e ide a is n e c e s

,

sa r y in o r de r t o r ep r e s en t G od immedi at ely Th i s y ou .

I B : exp lai n .

I I B : of .
I I I B : a th i ng .

II II B I ki ndl e t hi s [l ig h t] or I op en a windo w, whereup on t h e

,

r oom b e c ome s l ig h t ; now t he ac t of ki ndl i ng , o r of o p eni ng t h e room

does not p oduc e t he l ig ht b ut p ep a e s the way fo

r , r r r t he i
l ght t o b e
a b l e t o l i g h t up t h e oo m o t o ent e it
r , r r .
 40 GO D , MAN AN D,
H IS W E LL -B E I N G
H c o uld a l so h a ve ga th er ed f r o m my r emarks f or I s aid that
:
'

G o d is o nly kn ow n t h ro ug h h im s el f a nd n ot t h ro ugh
,

s o me t h ing el s e . H ow eve r I t ell you th i s t ha t s o l ong as

, ,

w e h a v e n o t s uc h a cle ar ide a of G o d as s h a ll uni t e u s -

w i th h im in s uch a w a y th a t it w ill n o t l e t u s l o v e a ny
t h ing be s ide him w e c a n n o t tr uly s ay t h a t w e a r e uni t ed
,

w i th G o d s o as t o depe n d immedi a t ely o n h im

,
If t h er e is
.

s t ill a ny t h ing t h a t y ou m a y h a ve t o a s k le a ve it f o r a n o t h e r
,

t ime j u s t n ow ci r cum st a nce s r equi r e me t o a tt e n d t o oth e r

m atte rs Fa re w ell
. .

E R AS M U S N ot h i n g a t p r e s en t b u t I sh a ll p o nde r wh a t
.
,

o u h v e j u s t t o ld me t ill t h e nex t o pp o r t uni ty God be

y a .

w i t h y ou .
 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G
F ou rth ly ,
c a u s e through himsel f a nd n ot by
G od is a ,

a c c ident th i s w ill bec o me m or e evide n t f ro m t h e di s cu s s i o n

o n P r ede s t i n a t i o n .

Fi fth ly G o d is a princ ipa l c ause of hi s works whic h he ha s

,

c re a ted immedia tel y s uc h a s m ovemen t in m a t t e r & c ; in

, ,
.

wh ic h t h e r e is n o pl a ce f o r a s ub s idi ary [ in s tr ume n t a l ]

ca u s e s i n ce th i s is c o nfined t o p a r t icul ar th ings ; a s w h en
,

h e d r ie s t h e s e a by me a n s o f a s t r o ng w ind a nd s o f orth in ,

t h e c a s e o f a l l p ar t icul a r th i n g s I in N a t u re .

The su b sidia ry provoking ca u se is not [ found] in God ,

bec a u s e th er e is n ot h ing o u ts ide him to inci te him Th e .

p re d is p os in g I I c a u s e o n t h e o t h
, e r h a n d is hi s pe r f ec t i o n ,

i ts el f th r ough it h e is a c au s e o f h im s el f a n d c on s equen tly , , ,

o f a l l o t h e r t h ing s .

S ix th ly G o d a l o ne is the first or I nitia l ca us e a s is evide n t

, ,

f r o m o u r f or ego i n g p ro o f .

S even th ly G o d is a l s o a Uni versal ca u se b u t o nly in s o

, ,

f ar as h e p ro duce s va r i o u s t h i n g s o t h e rw i s e t h i s c a n

neve r be p r edic a t ed of h im as h e n eed s n o o ne in or de r ,

t o p ro duce a ny r e s ul t s .

E igh t h ly G od is t h e p roximate c a u s e o f th e t h ing s th a t

,

a re infi n i t e a n d immu t a ble a n d w h ic h w e a s s e rt t o h a ve

, ,

been c r e a ted immedi ately by him b u t in one s en s e h e is , , ,

t h e r em ot e c a u s e o f al l p a r ticul ar th i n g s .

I B i
om t s i
t he se m -c o l on b e fore “
as , in t he p r c e ed ing l i ne nd , a

i e s t he en i ul not e i n te d
‘

g v word s as wh p t c
a r ar t hing s in a , s a

of in t h e t e xt .

II A a nd B : voorgaa nde .
 C HA PT E R I V
O N GO D S
’
N EC E S S ARY I I
A C T V TY

WE deny t h a t G od c a n o mi t t o d o w h at h e do es ll ,
a nd w e sha
a l so p r ov e it w h en w e t r e a t o f Pr ede st in a t i o n w h en w e w ill
s h o w t h a t a l l th i n g s ne c e ss a r ily depend o n t h ei r c a u s e s Bu t .
,

in t h e s ec o nd pl a ce t h i s c o n clu s i o n a l s o f o ll o w s f r o m t h e
,

pe rf ec ti o n o f G od f or it is tr ue bey o nd a d o ub t tha t God , ,

c a n ma ke e verything j u s t a s p erfec t a s it is c on c e ive d in his

I dea a n d ju s t a s t h ing s t h a t a re c o nceived by h im c a nn o t

be c oncei ved by h im m or e pe rf ec t ly t h a n h e c o ncei ve s th em ,

s o a l l t h ing s c a n be m a de by h im s o pe f e c t t h a t t h ey c a n r

n o t c o me f r o m h im in a m o r e pe r f e c t c o ndi t i o n Aga in I .
,

w h en w e c o n clude t h a t G o d c ould n ot h a v e o mi tt ed t o d o
w h a t h e h a s d o ne w e deduce t h i s f r o m h is pe rf ec t i on
,

beca u se in G od it w ou l d be a n imperf e c t i o n t o be a ble t o

, ,

o mi t t o d o w h a t h e d o e s w e d o n ot h o w eve r s upp os e th a t , ,

t h er e is a s ub s idi a r y p r ov o k i n g c a u s e in G o d t h a t mig h t h a ve
m o ved h im t o a c t i on f o r t h en h e w e r e n o G od
, .

B u t n o w a g a in th e r e is t h e c o n t r ov e r sy w h e t h e r n a mely
, , , ,

o f a l l t h at is in h is Ide a a nd wh ic h h e c a n
,
r e a li s e s o

perf ect ly w h e th er I say h e c o uld omi t t o r e a li s e a nyth i ng

, , , ,

a n d w h e t h e r s uc h a n o mi ss i o n w o uld be a pe rf e c t i o n in h im .

No w w e m a in t a i n t h a t s ince a l l t h a t h a ppe n s is d o ne by
, ,

G o d it mu st t h e r e f or e nece ssa r ily be p r ede t e r mined by

,

h im ot h e r w i s e h e w ould be mu ta ble w h ic h w o uld be a g r e a t

, ,

impe rf ect io n in him And a s th i s p r ede t er min a t i o n by h im

.

m u s t be fro m e t e r ni ty in w h ic h e t er ni ty t h e r e is n o be f o r e
,

o r a f t e r it f o ll ow s i r r e s i st ibly t h a t G o d c o uld neve r h av e

,

p rede te r mined th i ngs in a ny oth er w a y th a n th a t in w h ic h

I B : b ut .

43
 44 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E L L-B E I N G
1 th ey a r e de t er m ined no w a nd h ave been f r om e te r ni ty a nd , ,

t h a t G od c o uld n o t h a v e bee n ei th e r be f o r e o r w i th o u t t h e se
de te m i na t i o n s Fu r th e r if G od sh o uld om i t to d o a ny th i n g
r .
, ,

t h e n h e m s t ei th e r h a v e s o m e c a u s e f or it o r n ot ; if h e
u ,

h a t h e n it is n e c e s sa y t h a t h e s h o uld o mi t d o i ng it if h e
s, r

h a s n o t t h e n it is n e c e s sa r y t h t h e s h o u ld n o t o mi t t o d o
,
a

it t h i s is s el f-e v ide n t M o r e over in a c re at ed th i ng it is a

.
,

per f e c ti o n t o exi st a n d to h av e been p ro duced by G od f o r , ,

o f a l l i m pe r f e c t i o n n o n -e xi s t e n c e is t h e g e a t e s t impe r
,
r

f e c t io n a n d s i n ce G o d de s i r e s t h e w el f a r e a n d pe r f ec t i o n

o f a l l t h ing s it w o uld f o ll o w t h a t if G o d de s i r ed t h a t a
,

ce r t i n t h i n g sh o uld n ot exi s t t h e n th e w el fa r e a n d pe rt e e
a ,

t i o n o f t h i s t h ing mu s t be s u pp o s ed t o c o n s i st in its n o n

exi s te n c e w h i c h is s el f -c o n tr dic t or y T h a t is w h y w e d e n y
,
a .

tha t God c a n omit t o do wha t he does S o me r eg ar d th i s a s .

bl a s ph e m y a nd a s a beli tt li n g of G od b u t such a n a ss e rti o n

,

r e s ul t s f o m a mi sa pp r e h e n s i on o f w h at c o n sti tu t e s tru e
r

freedom th i s is by n o m e a n s w h a t th ey th i n k it is n a mely , ,

t h e a bili ty t o d o o r t o o mi t t o d o s o m e t h i n g g o o d o r e vil ;
b u t tru e free dom is onl y or no other tha n [ t h e s t t u s o f bei n g ]
,
a

the first c a u s e w h i c h is in n o w a y c o n s t a i n ed o r c o e r c ed by
,
r

a ny th i n g el s e a n d w h i c h t h r o ug h it s pe rf ec t i o n a l o n e is t h e
,

c a u s e of a l l perf e c t i on I c on s eque ntly if God c o uld om i t ,

t o d o t h i s h e w o uld n o t be pe f e c t : f or t h e a bili ty t o o m i t
,
r

d o i n g s o me g oo d o a cc o mpl i sh i n g s o me perf e c t i on in
,
r

w h t h e d o e s c a n h av e n o pl a ce in h im e xcep t t h r o u g h
a , ,

def e c t I I .

Th a t G od a l o n e is t h e o n ly f r ee c a u s e is th e r e f or e cle a r , ,

n o t o n ly f r o m w h a t h a s j u s t bee n s a id b u t a l so f r o m t h i s , ,

n a mely t h a t t h e r e is n o e xt e r n a l c a u s e o u t s ide h im t o f o r ce o r
,

c o n s t r a i n h im a l l t h i s is n o t th e c as e w i t h c r e a ted t h i n g s .

Aga i n st th i s it is a rgued th u s : Th e g o o d is on ly g o o d
I B b t t ue f e d om u r i t in t h i t h t t h fi t
r e e n
c on s s s s, a e rs c au s , co

t in d
s ra e d by
or c oe r c e t h i ng l e t h ug h it p f t i n l n i
no e s , ro s er ec o a o e s

th e ca u f l l p fe t i n
se o a II B b
er c u e it i mp l i d f t
o . ec a s es e ec .
 46 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
I n ow f ro m w hat h e h a d th en a nd h ad a di ff e ren t ch ara c t er
,

th en f ro m w h at h e h a s n o w ; s o t h a t if w e a ss ume h e ,

is m ost pe r f ec t n o w w e a r e c o mpelled t o sa y t h at h e w o uld

,

n o t h a ve been S O h a d h e c r e a t ed a l l t h i n g s di ff e r en t ly All .

t h es e th ing s inv olving a s t h ey d o p a lpa ble a b s u r di t ie s c a n

, ,

in n o way be a t tr ibu t ed t o Go d w h o n o w in th e p as t a nd , , ,

un to al l e te r ni ty is h as bee n a nd w ill r ema in immu ta ble

, , , .

We p ro ve th i s a l so f ro m t h e definit i on t h a t w e h ave given

o f a f r ee c a u s e w h ic h is n ot o ne t h a t c a n d o or o mi t t o d o
,

to a ny th i n g b u t is o n ly s uc h as is n o t depe n den t o n a ny th ing

,

el s e so t h at w h a teve r God d oe s is d o ne a nd c arr ied in to

,

e ff ect by him as th e fre e st I c a u s e If th e r efore h e h ad .

, ,

f or me r ly m a de t h ing s di ff e r en t f r o m w h a t t h ey are n ow it ,

w o uld n eed s f oll o w th a t h e w as at o ne t ime impe rf ect wh ich ,

is f a l s e II F o r s ince G o d is th e fi r s t c a u s e of a l l t h ings
.
, ,

th e r e mu s t be so me th ing in him t h ro ug h wh ich h e d o e s ,

w h a t h e d o e s a n d o mi ts n ot t o d o it
, S ince w e say t h a t .

F reedom d o e s n ot c on s i st in [ h aving th e C h oice o f ] d o ing o r

n ot d o ing s ome th ing a n d s ince w e h a ve a l s o s h ow n t h at
,

so t h at w h ic h m a ke s h im [ G od ] d o a nyt h ing c a n be n oth ing

el se t h a n h is ow n perf ec ti o n w e c o nclude that ha d it not , ,

b een tha t his p erfec tion ma de him do al l this t hen the things ,

woul d not exis t, a nd c oul d not c ome into existenc e , i n order to

b e wha t they a r e now . Th is is j u st like sa yi ng if God were /

imperfec t then things woul d b e difierent from what they are

now . II
So much eg ar d s th e fi rst [attr ibu t e] ; w e S h a ll now
as r

p ass o n to th e s ec ond attr ibut e wh ich w e ca l l a proprium ,

o f G od a n d se e wh at w e h a ve to s a y a b o u t it a n d s o o n to
, ,

30 t h e end .

I A wi sest (al de rwzys te i ns tead of al der vrijste c or ec t ed in B)

: r .

II B omi t s t hi s se nt e nc e .
 C HA PTE R V

ON D IVIN E PR O VI D E N CE
THE s ec o nd a ttribu t e wh ich w e ca ll a prop rium [ of God ] is
,

h is Pr ovidence w h ic h t o u s is n oth i n g el s e t h a n t h e striving

,

wh ic h we find in th e w h ole o f N at u r e a nd in individu a l

t h ing s t o m a in ta in a n d p re s e r ve t h ei r ow n exi s t ence For .

it is m a ni f e st th at n o t h ing c ould th roug h it s ow n n at u r e

, ,

s eek it s o w n a nni h il a t i o n b u t o n th e c o n t rary t h a t eve ry

, , ,

th ing h a s in i t s el f a s t r iving t o p r e s e rve its c o ndit i on and ,

t o imp rove i ts el f F oll ow ing t h e s e defini ti on s o f ou rs we

.
,

th e r ef or e p os i t a genera l a nd a sp ec ia l p r ovidenc e
,
The .

g eneral [ providenc e ] is t h a t t h r o ug h w h ic h a l l t h ing s are

p roduced a nd su sta i n ed in s o f ar as th ey are p arts of th e
w h o le of N a t u r e Th e sp ec ial p rovidenc e is t he s tr iving of
.

e a ch th ing s ep ara tely to p r es erve its exi st ence [ e a ch th ing ,

t h at is to say ] c o n s ide r ed n ot a s a p art of N a t u r e b u t a s a

, ,

w h o le [ by i t s el f] Th i s is e xpl a ined by th e f oll ow ing exa mple :

.

All th e limb s of m an ar e p rovided f or a nd c a r ed f or in so

, ,

f ar a s th ey a re p art s of m a n t h i s is g enera l p ro vidence ;

,

w h ile sp ec ia l [providenc e] is t h e s tr iving of e a c h s ep a rat e

limb ( a s a wh ole in its el f a nd n ot a s a p art of man) to
,

p r e serve a nd main tain its ow n w ell -bei ng .

 ON D IVI N E PR E D E S TI NA T I O N
T HE t h ird a ttr ibu te w e say is di vine p redest in ati on
, , .

I .We p roved be f or e th at G od c a nn ot o mi t to d o wha t

h e d o e s ; th a t h e h a s n amely m ade eve ry th ing s o pe rf ec t
, ,

t h at it c a nn ot be m o r e pe rf ec t .

2 And a t t h e s a me t ime th a t w i t h o u t him n o th ing c a n

.
, ,

be or be c onceived
, .

It r em a in s t o be s ee n n ow w h e t h e r th e r e are in N a tu r e
a n y a cciden ta l t h ing s t h at is t o s a y w h e th e r th e r e a re
, ,

a n y t h ing s w h ic h may h a ppen a n d may a l s o n o t h a ppen .

S ec o ndly w h e th er th e re is a n y t h ing c o nce r ning wh ic h w e

,

ca nn o t a sk w hy it is .

No w th a t th e r e a r e n o a ccide n ta l th i n gs w e p r o ve t h u s
Th a t w h ic h h a s n o c a u s e t o e x i s t c a nn ot p o s s ibly exi s t ;
t h a t w h ic h is a c c iden ta l h a s n o c a u s e t h e r e for e
Th e fi r s t is bey o nd a l l di s pu t e ; th e s ec o n d w e p r ov e
th u s : If a n y t h i n g t h at is a ccide nta l h as a defi n i t e a nd
ce rta in c a u s e wh y it sh ould exis t th en it mu st nece ss ar ily,

exi st ; b u t th at it sh ould be b oth a cciden ta l a nd nece ssary

a t t h e s a me t ime is s el f -
, c o n tra dic tor y Th e r e for e
P e rh a p s s o me o n e w ill s ay t h a t a n a c c identa l thing h a s
,

i n deed n o definit e a nd cer ta i n c a u s e b u t a n a cciden ta l ,

o ne If t h i s s h o uld be s o it mu s t be s o ei th e r in s ensu diviso

.
,

o r in sensu c omp os ite t h a t is t o sa y ei t h e r t h e exi s t e n ce o f

, ,

t h e c a u s e is a cciden t a l a n d n o t it s being a c a u s e ; o r it is
,

a cciden ta l th a t a certa in th ing ( wh ic h indeed mu st n e c e s

saril y e xi s t in N a t u r e ) s ho uld be t h e c a u s e of t h e occ urr ence

o f t h a t a cciden t a l t h i n g H ow eve r b oth t h e o ne a nd t h e

.
,

30 o th e r a re f a l s e
.
 50 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E LL-B E IN G
G od , w h o is sa id
be s up r emely pe rf ect a nd th e s ole
to ,

c a u s e di s p os e r a nd p r ovide r o f a l l
, , neve rth ele ss pe r mi ts ,

s uch c onfus ion t o be s een eve ry w h e r e in N a t u r e ? Al s o ,

w hy h as h e n ot ma de ma n s o a s not to b e a bl e to s in 9
No w , in th e fi rst pl a ce
c a nn ot be r igh tly s a id t h at
,
it
th e r e is c onfusion in Na ture s ince n o b o dy kn ow s a l l t h e ,

c a u ses of t h ings s o as t o be a ble to j udge a ccor dingly .

Th i s o bj ec t i on h ow eve r o rigin at es in t h i s ki n d o f ign or a nce

, , ,

n a mely that th ey h ave se t up genera l I de as w i th w h ic h

, , ,

IO t h ey t h ink p art icul a r t h ing s mu st a g r ee if t h ey a r e t o be

,

perfect Th e s e I dea s t h ey stat e ar e in th e u nder s ta nding

.
, ,

o f G od a s m a ny o f P l a to s f o ll o w e r s h a ve s a id n a mely t h a t
’

, , ,

th e s e genera l I dea s ( s uc h as Rat i o n a l A nimal I a n d t h e like ) , ,

ha ve b een c rea ted b y God ; a n d a l th o ugh th o s e w h o f o ll o w

Aristotl e say indeed th a t t h e s e t h ing s are n ot rea l th ing s
, , ,

o nly t h ing s o f Rea s o n th ey neve rth ele s s r egar d t h em

,

f r equen t ly a s [ r e a l ] th ing s s ince t h ey h a ve cle a rly s a id t h at

,

h is p r o vidence d o e s n o t ex t end t o p a rticul a r th ing s b u t ,

o nly t o kind s ; f o r e xa mple G o d h a s neve r exer ci s ed h is ,

providence o v e r B ucep h a lu s & c b u t o nly over t h e w h ole ,

.
,

genu s H orse T hey s ay a l s o th at God h a s n o kn owledg e

.

o f p a rt icul a r a nd t ra n s ien t t h i ng s b u t o n ly o f th e gene ra l , ,

w h ic h in t h ei r opi n
,
i o n a re impe ri sh a ble We h ave h ow
, .
,

eve r righ tly c on s ide r ed I I th i s to be due to t h ei r ign orance

,
.

F or it is p reci s ely t h e p art icul ar t h ings a n d t h ey a l o ne t h at , ,

h ave a c a u s e a nd n ot t h e genera l bec a u s e th ey are

, ,

n oth ing .

G od th en is t h e c au s e of a nd p rovidence o ve r p articul ar , ,

th ing s o nly If p a r ticul ar t h ing s h ad t o c on for m to s o me

.

30 ot h e r N a t u r e t h en t h ey c o uld n ot c o n f o r m t o t h ei r o w n ;
,

a nd c o n s equen tly c o uld n o t be w h a t t h ey tr uly a r e F or .

example if God h ad m ade a l l h um a n beings like Ada m

,

before the fall th en indeed h e w ould o nly ha ve c r eated

,

Ada m a n d n o Paul n or P e t er b ut no it is ju st perf ec t i on

, ,

I B R at i o
:nal -Ani mal II B : to c onside . r.
 ON DIVI N E PR E D E S T I NAT I O N 5 1

i n God th at h e give s to al l th ing s f ro m th e g r e a te st t o th e H

, ,

le ast th eir e ss ence or t o exp r e ss it bette r that h e h a s al l

, , , ,

t h ings pe rf e c t ly in h im s el f .

AS r eg ar d s th e ot h e r [ o bj ec ti o n ] why God ha s n ot ma de,

ma nkind so tha t they shou l d not sin t o t h i s it m a y s erve [ a s

,

an an s wer] t h at w h at eve r is s a id a b o u t s in is o n ly s a id
,

w i t h r e f e r ence t o u s th at is a s w h e n w e c o mp ar e t w o t h ing s
, ,

w i th e a c h oth e r or [ c o n s ide r o ne t h ing ] fr o m di ff e r en t

,

p o ints of Vie w F or in sta nce if s o me one h a s m a de a cl ock

.
,

p r eci s ely in orde r to s tr ike and t o S h ow th e h ou rs a nd th e ,

mech a ni s m quit e f ulfil s th e a ims of its m ake r th en w e say th at ,

it is g o o d b ut if it d o e s n ot d o s o th en w e s ay th at it is b a d
, , ,

n otwi th sta nding th at e v en th en it migh t st ill be goo d if o nly

it h ad been h is in t en t i o n t o m a ke it i rr egul ar a n d t o s t r ike
a t w r o ng t ime s .

We say th en in c o nclu s i o n th a t Pe ter mu st a s is

, , ,

nece ssary c o n for m to t h e Ide a o f Pe te r a n d n ot to th e

, ,

Ide a o f M an goo d a nd evil or s in th e s e are o n ly m ode s

, ,

of t h o ug h t a n d by n o me a n s t h i n g s o r a n y t h ing th a t h a s
, ,

r e a li ty as w e s h a ll ve r y likely S h ow ye t m o r e f ully in w h a t
,

f o ll ow s . For a l l t h ings a nd w ork s wh ic h a re in N a tu r e

a re pe r f ec t .
 C HA PT E R VI I
O N T H E ATTR I B U TE S WH I C H DO NO T P E R T A IN
T O GO D

H E R E w e sh a ll take up t h e c o ns idera ti on of th os e att r ibu t e s t .

w h ic h ar e c o mm o n ly a t t r ibu t ed t o G o d b u t w h ic h n eve r , ,

t h e l e ss d o n o t pe r ta i n t o h im ; a s a l so of t h o s e th r o
, pg h
w h i c h it is so u gh t t o p r o ve th e exi st e n ce o f Go d t h oug h ,

in va i n a n d a l s o o f t h e r ule s of a c c u ra t e defi n i t i o n .

F o r t h i s pu rp os e w e s h a ll n ot t r ouble o u r s elve s v e ry
,

muc h a b ou t th e ide a s th at pe ople c omm o n ly h ave o f God ,

b ut w e s h a ll o n ly inqui r e b riefly i n to w h a t th e Ph il oso p h e r s

c a n t ell u s a b o u t it No w t h es e h ave defi n ed G o d as a .

b eing existing through or of hims e l f c a u s e of a l l things , ,

Omnisc ient A l mighty e terna l s imp l e infinite the highest

, , , , ,

g o o d of i
,
nfi n ite c omp a s s ion & c B u t be f o r e w e a pp ro a c h ,
.

t h i s i n qui r y l e t u s j u s t s e e w h a t a dmi ss i o n s t h ey m a ke
,

to us .

I As eg d the tt ib u t e of wh i h God c on i t t hey a nl y

r ar s a r s c s s s, re o

i nfini te ub t e e c h f whi h mu t f i t l f b i nfinit l y p e fec t

s s a nc s, a o c s o se e e r .

T h t t hi mu t ne
a s il y b o ws on i
c e s sa red b y l e n d e s ,
e a re c v nc c ar a

d i ti n t
s cn I t i t ue how e t h t p t t h e p ese nt onl y
rea s o s . s r , e v r, a u o r

t w of l l t h
o infin it
a e k nown t
e se u th ug h t hei own essenc e ;
e s ar o s ro r

a nd t hese t h ug ht nd ext n i on
a re o A l l el e t hat i c ommonl y
a e s . s s

a sc ri b e d t G d i n t ny t t i b ut e f hi b t onl y e tai n modes

o o s o a a r o s, u c r

wh i h m y b
c tt i b u t d t
a h im ei t he in on i d at i on of al l t ha t
e a r e o r c s er ,

i a l l hi
s, tt ib ute o in
s a o n i d e at i n of one a t t i b ut e
r s, r I n c on
c s r o r .

s id t i n of l l [it is i d] f i n t n e t h t h is ete nal el f

e ra o a sa , or s a c , a e r ,
s

s ub i t i ng i nfini te c u e f l l th i g i mmut bl e I n c on i de at ion

s s , ,
a s o a n s, a . s r

of one it is
[ i d] f o i n t n
sa c t ha t h e,i o mn irc i e nt wi e
s a & e, s s , s , c .
,

wh i h p t i n t t h oug ht
c er a nd s g i n t hat h e is omni p ese nt fil l
o , a , a a , r , s

a l l &c wh i h p e t i ns t o ext en i n
,
.
, c r a s o .

5 2
54 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E LL-B E IN G
th e s u b s ta n c e s I w h os e m odes I I th ey are , c a n, c on

s equen t ly ,
l
a so not be attribu ted t o h im ,
w h o is a Being
s u bsis ting without the a id o f a nything, a nd s ol e l y through
himsel f .

Las tly th ey c a ll h im the highest good b u t if th ey unde r

,

s t a nd by it s o me th ing di ff e r e n t f r o m w h a t t h ey h a ve a l r e a dy

s a id n a mely th at Go d is im
, , muta b l e a nd a c a u se of a l l things , ,

th en th ey h ave bec o me e n ta ngled in th ei r o w n t h ough t or ,

are un a ble t o unde r s ta nd th em s elve s Th i s is th e o u t c ome .

o f th ei r mi s c o ncep t i o n o f g oo d a n d evil f or th ey believe ,

tha t m a n h im s el f a n d n ot G od is th e c au s e of h is s in s a n d
, ,

w ickedne ss— wh ic h a cc or ding t o w ha t w e h a ve a l r e a dy

,

p r oved c a nn ot be th e c as e el s e w e sh ould be c ompelled

, ,

t o ass e rt tha t ma n is a l s o t h e c a u s e of h im s el f H ow ever .

,

t h i s w ill appe a r ye t m or e eviden t wh en w e c o me t o c o n s ide r

th e w ill o f ma n .

It is nece s s ar y t h at w e s h o uld n ow un ra vel t h ei r s peci o u s

a rgumen t s w h e r e w i th t h ey s eek t o e xcu s e th ei r ign or a nce

in Th e ol ogy .

Fi rst of a l l th en t h ey say tha t a c orrect definition must

, ,

c onsist of a N a l th o ug h a l l th e
g enu s a n d di fi e re n tia o w .
,

Logici a ns a dmi t thi s I d o n ot kn ow w h ere th ey g e t it from

,
.

And t o be s u r e if th i s mu st be tr ue t h en w e c a n kn ow
, , ,

n oth i ng w h ateve r F or if it is t h rough a de fini ti on c on

.

s i s t ing o f g e nu s a nd difie rentia t h a t w e c a n fi rs t g e t to kn ow

a t h ing pe rf ec t ly th en w e c a n neve r k n ow pe rf ec tly t h e

,

h ig h es t genus w h ic h h as n o genu s a b ov e it
,
Now th en : If .

th e h igh e st ge nus w h ic h is t h e c a u s e o f o u r kn ow ledge of

,

a l l o th er t h ing s is n o t kn o w n ,
much le ss t h en c a n th e , , ,

o th e r t h i ng s be u nde r s to o d or kn ow n w h ic h a r e expl a ined

by th at genus H ow eve r s ince w e are fr ee a nd d o not

.
, ,

c on s ide r ou r s elve s in a ny w ay t ied to th ei r ass e rt ion s w e ,

s h a ll in a cc ord a nce w i th true l ogic p rop os e oth e r rules

, ,

I B ubsta n e
: s c .

II A essenc es ( weze ns ) ; B mode (wijzen)

: : s .
 ATTR I BUTE S NO T P E R TAI N I N G T o G O D 55

of defini t i on n a mely on th e line s o f ou r divi s i on of H

, ,

N atu r e .

Now w e h ave a l r e ady s een th at th e a ttr ibu t e s ( o r a s

r

o th e rs c a ll t h em s ub s t a n ce s ) a re th i n g s o r to e xp r e ss o u r
, , ,

s el v e s be t t e r a n d m or e a p tly c n st i t u t e being ic
[ o , ] a w h h
s ub s i s t s t h r o ug h i t s el f a n d t h e r e f o r e m a ke s i ts el f kn o w n a n d
,

r eve a l s i ts el f t h r o ug h i t s el f .

As to th e o th e r t h i n g s w e s e e t h a t t h ey are b u t m ode s o f
,

t h e a t tr ibu te s w i th o u t w h ic h a l s o th ey c a n nei t h e r be n or
, ,

be underst oo d C on s eque n tly defi n i t i o n s mu st be of t wo

.
!
FO

kind s ( or s orts)
I
. Th e fi rs t n a mely a r e th os e o f a tt r ibu te s w h ic h pe rta in
, , ,

t o a s el f-s ub s i st ing being th e s e n eed n o genu s or a ny th ing

, , ,

t h r o ug h w h ic h t h ey migh t be be t te r unde rstoo d o r

expl a ined : for s ince th ey exi s t a s a ttr ibu te s of a s el f
,

s ub s i s t ing being t h ey a l s o bec o me kn o w n t h r o ug h t h em

,

s elve s .

2. Th e s ec o nd [ kind o f defini t i o n s ] a r e th os e [ o f t h ing s ]

w h ic h d o not exi st t h r o ugh t h em s elve s b u t o nly t h ro ug h ,

t h e a ttr ibu t e s w h o s e m o de s t h ey a r e a n d t h r oug h w h ic h

, ,

a s t h ei r e n u t h ey mu t be unde t d
g s ,
s r s oo .

And th i s is [ a l l t h a t need be sa id ] c on cer ning th eir

s t at emen t a b o u t defini t i on s AS r eg ard s t h e o th e r [ a ss er ti on ]
.
,

n a mely th a t God c a n [ not ] be kn o w n by u s a dequ at ely

, ,

th i s h as been s u fficien tly a n sw e r ed by D d e s C ar t e s in h is .

a n sw e r s t o t h e o bj ec t i o n s r el a t ing t o th e s e th i n g s p a ge 1 8 , .

And th e th i rd [ ass e rt i o n ] n a mely t h at God c a n n ot be

, ,

proved a priori h as a l so a l r eady been a n swe r ed by u s

, .

S ince God is th e c a u s e o f h im s el f it is en o ugh t h at we p rov e

,

h im th r o ug h h im s el f a n d s uch a p r oo f is a l s o muc h m o r e 3
, 0

c o nclu sive tha n t h e a p osteriori p roof w h ic h gene ra lly re s ts ,

o nly o n ex t e r n a l c a u s es .
 C H AP T E R V I I I
O N NA T URA NAT U R A NS

H E R E befor e w e p ro cee d t o s om e th i ng el s e w e s h a ll br iefly

, ,

divide t h e w h ole of N atu r e— n a mely; i n to Na tura natura ns

a n d Na tu ra na tu ra ta . B y Na tu ra na t ura ns w e unde rs ta nd
a bei n g t h a t w e c o nceive clearly a nd di s ti n c tly th rough
i t sel f a nd w i th ou t n eedi n g a ny th i n g be s ide i ts el f ( like a l l
,

t h e a ttr ibu t e s w h ic h w e h a ve s o f ar de s c r ibed ) t h a t is G od , ,

.

Th e Th o mi s ts l ike w i s e u n d e rs ta n d G od by it b u t t he i r ,

Na tu ra naturans was a being (s o th ey c a lled it) bey o n d a l l

s ub st a n ce s
.

Th e Na tura na tura ta w e s h a l l di v ide i n t o t w o a ge n e ra l , ,

a n d a p a r t icul a r. Th e g e nera l c o n s i st s o f a l l t h e m ode s

w h ich depend immedi a t ely o n G o d o f w h ic h w e s h a ll t r e a t
,

in th e f o llo w ing C h a p t e r th e p a rtic ul ar c o nsi sts of al l th e

p arti c ul a r t h i ng s wh ic h a r e p r o du c ed by th e gene ra l m ode .

8 0 th a t t h e Na tu ra na tu ra ta r equi r e s s o me su b s ta nc e I in
o r de r t o be w ell u n de rs to o d .

I A : s ub sta nc e s ; B : ub
s s tanc e .
58 GO D , MAN AND
,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
n a mely to understa nd cle arly a nd di stinc tly a l l th ings at a l l
,

t ime s w h ic h p roduces invar i a bly an infini t e o r m os t pe rf ec t

sa t i s fa c t i o n w h ic h c a nn o t o mi t t o d o w h at it d o e s Al t h o ugh
, .

wh at w e h a ve j u st s a id is s u fficien tly s el f-eviden t s t ill w e

, ,

s h a ll p r o ve it m o r e cle ar ly a f t erwar d s in o u r a cc o un t of t h e

Aff ects of the S oul an d s h all t h er e for e say n o m or e a b out

,

it h e r e
.
 C HA PT E R X

W H AT G O O D AND E VI L AR E

IN or der t o expl a in b riefly w h at goo d a n d evil a re in th em

s elve s w e s h a ll begin t h u s
,

S o me t h ings are in o u r unde rs ta nding a n d not I in N at u re ,

a n d s o t h ey a r e a l so o nly o u r ow n c r e at i o n a n d t h ei r u r
, p
p os e is to unde rsta nd th ings di stinc tly a m ong th ese we
include a l l r el at i o n s wh ic h h a ve r ef e r ence t o di ff e ren t t h ings
, ,

a n d th e s e w e c a ll E ntia Ra tionis ing s o f r e a s on ] N

[ t h .ow

th e que st i o n is w h e th er g oo d a n d evil bel o ng t o th e E ntia

,

Rationis o r t o t h e E ntia Re a l ia [ r e a l th ing s ] . B u t S i nce go o d

a n d evil a r e o nly r el a t i o n s it is bey o nd d o ub t th at t h ey mu st
,

be pl aced a m ong t h e E ntia Rationis f or w e never say t h at

s o me th ing is g o o d excep t w i t h r e f e r ence t o s o me th ing el s e

wh ic h is n ot s o g o o d or is n o t s o u s e ful t o u s a s s ome ot h e r
,

t h ing . Th u s w e s ay t h at a man is b a d o nly in c o mp a r i so n

,

w i th o n e w ho is be t t e r or a l s o t h at a n a pple is b ad in c om
, ,

pari son w i th a n oth e r wh ic h is good or be tt er .

All th i s c ould not p ossibly be s aid if th at w h ich is be tter

,

o r g o o d in c o mp a r i so n wi t h w h ic h it t h e b a d s o c alled
, [ ] is ,

did not exi st .

Th e r e f or e wh en we s ay th at so me th ing is g o od w e o nly
, ,

mea n th at it c on form s w ell to th e gene ra l Ide a wh ich we

h a ve of s uc h t h ings . B u t II a s w e h a ve a l r e a dy sa id be for e
, ,

t h e th ing s mu st a g r ee w i th t h eir p ar t icul ar Ide as w h os e ,

e ssence mu st be a perf ec t e ss ence a nd not w ith th e genera l

,

s ince in th a t c a s e t h ey w o uld n o t exi s t .

As to c onfi r ming wh at w e h ave j u st said th e t h ing is cle ar

,

I B not suc h
: .

II A A nd t herefore ; B :
:
”
Nevert heless .

S9
6c G O D , MA N, AND H I S W E LL-BE IN G
to us ; b ut ill to c o nclude ou r r emar ks w e w ill a dd ye t
st , ,

th e f o ll ow ing p ro ofs
All th ing s wh ic h a re in N atu re a re eith er th ings or
,

a ct i o n s .Now goo d a nd evil a re nei th e r t h ing s n o r a c t i o n s .

Th e r e for e g o o d a nd evil d o no t exi st in N a t u r e .

F o r if g o o d a nd evil a r e th ing s o r a c t i o n s th en th ey
, ,

mu st ha ve th ei r defini ti o n s B u t g oo d a n d evil ( as f or
.
,

example th e goodne ss of Peter a nd the w ickedness of

,

j ud as) h ave no defi n i t i o n s a p a r t f ro m th e e ss ence o f Jud as

o r P e t e r bec a u s e th i s a l o ne exi st s in N a t u r e a n d th ey c a n
, ,

not b e defined wi th o u t th ei r e ss ence . T h e r e f or e a s a b ove

,

it f oll ow s t h at g oo d a n d evil ar e n o t th ings or a c t i o n s

w h ic h exi s t in N atu r e .
 PR E FA C E

H AVING in th e fi r st p art di s c ou rs ed on God a nd on the

, , ,

unive rsa l a nd infini te t h ings we sh a ll p roceed n ow in th e , ,

s ec o nd p a rt t o th e tr e at men t o f p ar ticul a r a n d fi n i t e t h i n g s ;
,

t h o ug h not of a l l s ince th ey a r e innume ra ble b u t w e s h a ll, ,

o nly tr e a t o f t h o s e w h ic h conce r n m a n ; a n d in t h e fi r s t ,

pl ace w e sha ll c o n sider h er e w ha t ma n is in s o far a s h e

, ,

c o n si sts of cer ta in m od es ( c on ta ined in t h e t w o attr ibu tes

w h ich w e h ave r em arked in G od ) I say of certa in modes .
,

f or I by n o me a n s t h i n k t h a t m a n in so f a r a s h e c o n s i s t s of ,

s pi r i t s o u l 1 or b o dy is a s u b sta nc e B ec au s e a l r e a dy a t t h e
'

, , , .
,

1
‘

O u soul i ei t he
1 . r su bs ta nc e o a mod e ; it i not a sub
s r a r s

t n e b ec u e we h ave al e dy hown t h t t he e ca n b e no finit e

s a c ,
a s r a s a r

sub t anc e ; it i t herefo e

s mode s r a .

2 B i ng a mode t hen it m t b e u h ei t he
. e , f ub t nti l , us s c r o s s a a

sub st nt i l thought ; n ot f ext ens ion bec u e

”
e xtens ion o of r a a o , a s ,

&c . t h ef e f t hou ght er or o .

Thought s i n fini t e i i nfini t el y

”
3 S u bs ta ntial
. it n not b , ce ca e , s

p e r fe t in it kicnd n d a n tt i bs t e f G o d , a a r u o .

4 P erfe t thought mu t h
. c Kn wl edge I de m d e of s a ve a o , a, or o

t houg h t of ll nd e e yt hi ng tha t is
a a ea l of ub t n e wel l a
v r r , s s a c s as s

of m d wi t hout e x p t i n
o e s, ce o .

5 W e .
y t ha t is re a l be
sa c u se , w n t sp ki ng he e of ,
a e a re o ea r a

Kn wledg e I de &
o wh ic h c omp l e t el y k n w t h e n t u e of l l
, a, c .
, o s a r a

t hi g n s a i n ol d in t hei e nc e p t f om t h i i ndi idu l

s v ve r sse , a ar r e r v a

exi t n e b t nl y f t he Kn wl dg e I d & of t h p t i ul
s e c ,
u o o o e , e a, c .
, e ar c ar

t h i ng wh i h s t nt l y c mi ng i nt o exi t en e
a re c o n s a co s c .

6 T hi Kn wl dg
. I de
s &c f e h p t i ul
o e e,t h i ng wh i h a, .
, o ac ar c ar c

h p p en t o b e e l i w
a s y t h e soul f t h i s p t i ul
r a s, t h i ng e sa , o ar c ar .

7 Al l . d nd y p t i ul
an t h i ng su th t e l h e be me
r ar c ar s a a re r a , av co

s u h t h g h m t ion nd t nd t h i i t ue f l l t he mode of
c ro u o a res , a s s r o a s

s ub ta t i l xte n i n whi c h we l l b odies

s n a
”
e s o ca .

8 T h d i ff e e n e
. mong t h e e ul t
e r l el y f m t h
c s a yi ng es r s so ro e var
 64 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
H begi nn i ng of t h i s b o o k we p rov ed ( I ) t h a t n o s ub sta nce c an ,

h av e begin n i ng ; ( 2 ) that o ne s ub s tan ce c a nn ot p r oduce

a

a n o th er ; a n d l a s t ly t h a t t h e r e c a n n ot be t w o like s u b
s t a n ce s .

As m a n h as n o t been in e xi s t e n ce f r o m e t e r n i ty is fin i te , ,

a n d is like m a n y m e n h e c a n be n o s ub s t a n ce s o th at a l l t h a t
,

h e h as o f t h o ugh t a re o nly modes of the a ttrib ute thought w h ich

w e h a v e a ttr ibu t ed t o G o d And a ga in a l l th at h e h as o f .
, ,

f o r m m ot i o n a nd oth e r t h i n g s a re like w i s e [ m o de s ] of the

, , ,

“
whic h is a ttrib u te d by t o God
*
other a ttrib ute us .

An d l th ough fro m th i s [ n a mely ] t h at th e n at u r e of ma n

a , ,

c a n nei t h e r be n o r be u n de rs t o o d w i t h o u t t h e a t tr ibu t e s
,

w h ic h w e o u r s elve s a dmi t t o c o n s t i t ut e s ub sta n ce s o me t ry ,

t o p r o v e th a t m a n is a s ub s ta n c e y e t t h i s h as no oth e r ,

gr o u n d th a n f a l s e s upp os i ti o n s F or s ince t he n at u r e of .
,

p p
r o o t i rn s f
o m t i o n o n d e s t
o t h o u g h w hai c h t h.i sri s o a n d n t , r s , o

so— t h i i this s s nd n t tha t , a o .

9 . F m rosu c h p o p o t i n f m tri o n nd r e ot o m e l o th o a r s c s a so e

e xi st enc e of our b ody ; o f wh i h on equ n t l y n o l th n f ll

c , c s e , e ss a o a

o th er t h i ng t h e mu t b
s, er Knowl e d g s n Ide e & in t ha e, a a, C .
, e

t h i nki ng t h i n g nd h n , t on e l o our s ou l
a e ce a c a s .

I O .T h i b ody of u s h w e ha d
o di ff e ent p op o t ion of
rs , o e v r, a r r r

mot i on nd e t when it w an unb n e mb yo

a r s as nd in d u c o urse or r a e ,

wh en w de d it wil l h ve a d iff ent p p o t i n g in ; none

e are a , a er ro r o a a

t he l e ss th e w at
er t h t t i me [ b fo e ou
as ab i t h ] a n d t he e e r r r , r

wi l l b e t he n [ ft e d t h ] n i d e a r k nowl dg e & of u b ody in

ea a a, e , c .
, o r

t h e t h i nki ng t h i ng j u t s t he i now ; b t by n o m n t h
, s a a me
re s u ea s e s

[ i d e a, s i n e it is now d i ff e nt l y p op o t i oned
c e ga d s er r r as r r

mot ion nd e t a r s .

1 1 T p oduc
. o in r ub t antial t houg ht su h n i dea know
e,
“
s s
”
, c a ,

l e dg e mode of t h oug h t
, u n w i wh t is qui ed i not nyas o rs o s, a re r s, a

body you p l e e ( th e n it w ul d h e t o b known diff e ently f o m

as o av e r r

wh t it i ) b ut j t u h
a s , b dy h i ng t hi s p op o t ion of mot i on
us s c a o av r r

a nd e t nd n o t h f o
r s , a o t h e body is so is t he S oul I de
er : r as , , a,

Kn wl edge &c
o , .

1 2. A oon t he n
s s a b od y h s nd
, as tai ns t h i p op o t i on a a re s r r

[w h i ch u b ody h
o r
] y e g f as t 3, t h e
sa n t hat
, oul .nd t h t.
,
o I o , s a a
 GO D , M AN
,
A ND H IS W E LL-B E I N G
Well th e r ule is th i s : That bel ong s t o t he n a tu re of a
,

t h ing w i t h o ut w h ic h th e t h ing c a n nei t h e r be n or be unde r

, ,

st oo d ; n o t me r ely s o h o w eve r b u t in s uc h w i s e t h a t th e
, ,

j udgmen t mu st be c o nve rtible th at is that th e p r edicat e c a n

, ,

nei th e r be n or be unde rsto od Wi t h ou t t h e th ing O f th e s e

,
.

m odes t h en of wh ich m a n c on si sts w e sha ll begin to t re at

, , ,

a t t h e c ommencemen t o f t h e f oll ow ing fi r s t c h a p t e r.

 C HA PTE R I
O N OP INI O N , BE L EF, A ND K I N O W LE D G E
To beg i n ou r c on s ide ra t i on of t h e m ode s t of wh ic h ma n
c on s ists w e sh a ll s tat e ( 1 ) wh a t t h ey are ( 2 ) th ei r e ffec ts
, , , ,

a n d ( 3 ) t h ei r c a u se .

A s r eg ar d s t h e fi r st l e t us begin w i t h t h os e th at a r e fi rs t
,

k now n to u s : n a mely c ertain idea s or the c onsciousness ,

of the knowl edge o f oursel ves , a nd f

o the things which are

ou tside u s .

No w w e g e s e ide '
a s It
et ( I th
) ei t h e r me r ely t h r o ugh

belief ( wh ic h belie f a r i s es ei th e r fro m exper ience or fro m ,

h e ar s ay ) ( 2 ) o r in th e s ec o nd pl a ce w e a cqui r e t h em by
, , ,

w a y o f a t r ue belie f ( 3 ) or t h i r dly w e h a ve t h em as t h e
, , ,

r e s ul t o f cle ar a n d di s t inc t c o ncep t i o n .

Th e fi rs t is c o mm o nly s ubj ec t t o e r r o r .

Th e s ec o nd a n d t h i r d h ow eve r a l th o ug h th ey di ff e r f r o m
, ,

o n e a n o t h e r c a nn ot e r r , .

T o m a ke a l l t h i s s o me w h a t cle a r e r a n d m o r e in telligible ,

w e sh a l l give th e f oll o w ing illu stra t i o n t a ken fr o m th e R ule

o f Th r ee .

S o me o n e Trr h as j u st h e a r d it s a id th a t if in t h e R ule o f
’’
,

T h r ee t h e s ec o nd numbe r is mul tiplied by t h e t h i rd a n d

, ,

t h en divided by t h e fi rs t a f ou r th numbe r w ill t h en be ,

o b t a ined w h ic h h a s th e sa me r el at i o n to th e t h i r d as t h e

1 The modes of wh ic h M a n c nsi t a e i dea d i ff e ent i at ed a

“

o s s r s, r s

O p i nion t ue Bel i ef an d l e
, r n d d i s t i n t Knowl edg e p
, c ar duc ed a c ,
ro

b y ob j e t s ea h in it own way
c , c s .

11 These i d ea of thi Bel ief a p u t fi t on p ag e 6 9 he e nd

‘
s s re rs r a

t he e t hey are al so c l l e d O p i ni on wh ic h t h ey eal l y a e

r a , r r .

H ! T h i s on me el y fo m a n op in ion
“
e r as is c o mmonl y
r s id , or, sa ,

b l iev t h oug h hea ay nl y [B mit t hi not e ]

e es r rs o . o s s .

67
 68 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL -B E IN G
1
0 s ec o nd And n o t w i th sta nding th e p oss i
h as t o t h e fi rst .

b il it y t h at h e w h o p u t t h i s be for e h im mig h t h ave bee n

lying h e s till m a de h is c a lcul ati on s a cc or dingly a nd h e did
, ,

s o w i t h o u t h aving a cqui r ed a n y m o r e kn ow ledge o f t h e Rule

o f Th r ee t h a n a blind m a n h a s o f c o l o u r s o t h a t w h a teve r ,

h e may h a ve s a id a b o u t it h e S imply r epe a t ed a s a p arr o t ,

r epea t s w h a t it h a s been t a ug h t .

A n oth e r l h a vi n g a m o r e a c t ive i nt elligence is n ot s o

,
' '

e as ily sat i sfied w i th me r e h e a rsay b u t t e st s it by s ome ,

a c t u a l c a lcul a t i o n s a n d w h en h e find s t h a t t h ey a g r ee w i t h
,

it th en h e give s c r e d e n ce t o it B u t w e h a ve r ig h t ly s a id
‘

.
,

t h at t h i s o n e a l so is s ubjec t t o e r r o r ; f or h ow c a n h e
p ossibly be s u r e th at h is expe r ience o f a f e w p ar ticul a rs c an
s e r ve h im a s a r ule f or a l l

A thir d nt w h o is n ot sat i s fied w i th h e a r say bec au se it

‘ L
,

m ay decei v e n or w i t h expe r ie n ce o f a f e w p a r t icu l a r s

, ,

beca u s e t h i s c a nnot p o ss ibly s er ve a s a r ule e xami n e s it in ,

th e ligh t of t r ue R e a s o n w h ic h w h en p r o pe r ly a ppl ied h a s , , ,

neve r decei ved Th i s th en t ell s h im t hat o n a cc oun t o f.

t h e n a t ur e o f t h e p ro p o r t i o n in t h e se n umbe s it h a d t o be v
r

s o a n d c o uld n o t h appe n o th e rw i s e
, .

A f ou rth fit r h o w e ve r h aving th e cle ar e st kn o wledge o f

’
,

a l l h as n o need o f h e a r s a y o r expe r ience or t h e a r t o f r e a so n

, , ,

ing bec a u s e by h is penetrat i o n h e s ee s t h e p r op or ti on in I

,

a l l s uc h c a lcul a t i o n s imm e d ia t e l
y II .

1 Thi s n t hi nk o bel i v o e n ot s i mp l y t h oug h h ea ay b t

s r e es r rs , u

f om exp i e n e
r nd t h
er t h t w ki d
c : f p p l wh ha e
a e s e a re e o n s o eo e o v

[ m e] o
erp i ni n
[ B m i t t
o h i n te ] s . o s s o .

I f Thi e i e t i n t h oug h t ue b el i ef wh ic h n neve

s on s c r a r r ,
ca r

30 de e i him nd he i p op l y l l d a b l iev
c ve , a s r er ca e e er .

TH B t t hi l t n i nev [m el y] f p i ni n n [m e ]
“
u s as o e s er er o o o ,
or a re

bel iev b t ee t h t h ing t hem l e n t t h ugh some thi g

e r, u s s e s se v s , o ro n

el e b t t h ug h t h t hi ng t hem l e
s , u ro e s se v s .
”
I A : and B :
“ “
in .

I I B a d ds h e re in , th e b ody of t he t e xt , t h e s ub s t a nc e of t he

ab ov e tw o not s on e t he t h i rd a n d fo u rt h ki nd s of kn owl e d g e .
 C HA PTE R I I I
T H E O R I GI N O F PA S S I O N . PA S S I O N DU E
TO O PI N I O N

H E RE t h en , ,
let u s se e p a ss ion sh ow , as w e h av e sa id ,
th e
der ive th ei r o r igin f r o m o pi n i o n T o d o t h i s w ell a n d .

in telligen t ly w e s h a ll ta ke s ome speci a l o ne s a n d p r o ve ,

w h a t w e sa y by u s ing t h e s e a s illu s tr a t i o n s .

L e t S urprise th en be th e fi r st Th i s is f o und in o n e w h o
, ,
.

kn ows a th ing a fte r th e fi rst m a nne r [ of Kn ow ledge ] I f or ,

s ince f r o m a f e w p a r t icul a r s h e d ra w s a c o nclu s i o n w h ic h is

general h e s ta nd s s u r p ri s ed w h enever h e s ee s a nyth i n g

,

t h at g o e s a g a in s t his c o nclu s i o n ; 1 like o n e wh o h a ving

‘

ne ve r s een a ny s h eep excep t w i th sh or t ta il s is s u rp r i s ed ,

a t t h e s h eep f r o m M o r o cc o w h ic h h a ve l o ng o ne s S o it is
’

I A efe s t o t h f l l owi ng not e al eady he e ; B t t he n xt

r r e o r r , a e

s emi - ol on c .

T Thi h oul d on n a c ou nt b
s s t ke n t o m e n t h t o fo mal c e a a a a r

infe en e must l w y p e d e t oni hment ; on t h nt y it

r c a a s r ce as s e co ra r ,

exi t s al o wi th ut t h t n mel y wh n we t i tly b l ieve t h t a th ing

s s o a , a ,
e ac e a

i [ l w y ] o nd n t di ff e ent f m wh t we
s a a s s , a o u t med t r ro a a re ac c s o o

se e it h e , t h i nk b u t it & F ex mp l e A i t ot l e y a
ar o r a o , c . or a , r s sa s ,

dog is a b a rking a nimal t h ef e h n l ud wh t e e b k s is , er or e co c e s, a v r ar

a d g ; b t when
o
p u n t y s a do g he m e n
a t ac i t
e asal y j u s t t h e sa , a s

s me t h t A i st ot l e d id wi t h hi de fini t i on
a a r S o t hat whe n t he p ea nt s . sa

h a e th
rs b k i ng he e y a dog ; nd so if t hey had he d some
ar sa s , a , ar

ot h ki nd f ni m l b k t h p e nt who had d wn n [ xp l i i t]
er o a a ar ,
e asa ,
ra o e c

i nfe enc e woul d t and j ust st oni hed a A i t t l e who had d wn

r ,
s as a s s r s o , ra

a n i nfe en e Fu t he mo e when we bec ome w e of om t h i ng

r c . r r r , a ar s e

a b out wh i h we h d n ve t houg ht befo e it i n t eal l y su h t he

c a e r r , s o r c

l ike f wh i h wh et he
o s whol e o in p a t we have not k n wn
c , r a a r r ,
o

befo e onl y it is not

r , on t i t ut e d in a l l esp ec t o w h ve neve
so c s r s, r e a r

b e e n aff e t d b y it in t h
c e me w y & e sa a , c .

70
 THE O R G I IN O F PA S S I O N 7 1

r el a ted o f a pe asan t th at h e h a d pe rs u aded h i ms el f th at

beyo nd h i§ field s th e re wer e no oth ers b u t w h en h e h a p ,

pened to miss a c ow a nd w as c o mpelled to g o a nd l ook for ,

h e r f a r a w ay h e wa s s u r p r i s ed a t th e g re at numbe r o f field s
,

t h at t h e r e w e r e bey o nd his f e w a cr e s And to be s u re th i s .

, ,

mu st a l so be th e c as e with m a ny Ph il osop h er s wh o h a ve
pe rsu a ded th ems elve s th at bey ond th i s fi eld or li ttle gl obe ,

o n wh ic h t h ey a re t h e r e a r e no m o r e [ w o r ld s] ( bec a u s e t h ey
,

h a ve s een n o oth e r s) B ut s u r p r i s e is neve r f el t by h im

.

w h o d ra w s t r ue i n f e r ence s Th i s is t h e fi r s t . .

Th e s ec o nd is L ove I S ince t h i s ar i s e s ei t h e r f r o m t rue .

ideas or fro m o pini on o r l ast ly f ro m h e arsa y o nly w e

, , , , ,

S h a ll se e fi r s t h o w a ri s e s ro m o pini o n en h o w [ it
[ it ] f t h ,

arise s r o m t r ue idea s fi r s t t end s t o o u r r uin a n d

] f [ ] f o r t h e ,

th e s ec o nd t o o u r s up r eme h a ppine ss ; a nd t h en [ w e S h a ll
s e e h ow it a r i s e s f ro m t h e l a st
] .

I The sub t n e of t h next th ee p a ag ap h s i g ive n in t he

s a c e r r r s

fol l owi ng i mp l e de in B
s r or r

The ec ond i Love s Th i s a i es eit he

s f om h ea say o
. r s r, 1, r r , r

2, f om op i nion o 3 f om t ue i de s
r , r , r r a .

As eg a d s t he fi t w g e ne al l y ob e ve it in t h e at t i tu de of
r r rs , e r s r

c h i l d e n t o t h ei f t h e
r b ecau e t h e i f th e t l l t hem t hi o t h t
r a r s r a r e s s r a

is g ood t h ey i nc l i ne t owa d it wi t hout knowi ng nyt h i ng mo e

r s , a r

a bout it W . it al o in t h o e wh o f m Love g ive t he i

e se e s s , ro ,
r

l i ve f o t he F t he l and nd al o in t h o e wh o f om h ea ay ab out
s r a r , a s s r rs

s ome th ing f l l in l ove wi t h it a .

A eg ard s the ec ond it i c e t in th t wheneve any one see

s r s , s r a a r s,

o r t hi nk h sees ome t h ing g ood he i al w y i n l i ned t o u ni t e

s e , s , s a s c

h i m el f with it and fo t h e
s , ke of t he g od whic h h di e n
, r sa o e sc r s

t he e i n h
r c h oo e s it
, e t h e b e t out i d e wh i c h h
s t he n knows
as s , s e 30
not h i ng b e t t e o mo e g ee b l er r Y t if eve it h p p e n (
r a r it a . e r a s as

mo t l y doe h p p en in t he e t hi ng ) t h t he g et t o k n w omet h i ng
s s a s s a s o s

b e tt e th n t hi s g o d at p esent known t o h im t h en h i l ove h ang e

r a o r ,
s c s

i mmediat el y f om t he one (fi t) t o t he othe ( e ond) Al l t h i we

r rs r s c . s

s hal l sh w mo e l ea l y when we t ea t of t h f eed m of m n

o r c r r e r o a .

A t o l ove f m t ue i de
s a t h i i n t t h e p l a e t o p eak
ro r f it
as , s s s o c s o ,

w h al l p a it o e f t h e p e e nt e n p ag e
[S n t 1
"
e s ss v r ee oro r s . o
 7 2 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
t

i As ega rds th e fi rs t it is ce rta in th at wh enev er a ny one

r ,

s ee s or t h ink s h e s ee s s o me th i n g g o o d h e is a l w a y s inclined
, , ,

t o u n i t e h im s el f w i th it a n d f or th e sa ke o f th e goo d w h ic h
, ,

h e di s ce r n s th e r ein h e c h oos e s it as th e be s t o u t s ide w h ic h

, ,

h e th e n k n o w s n o t h ing be tt e r o r m or e a gr ee a ble Ye t if .

e ver it h a ppen s ( a s it m ostly d oe s h a ppen in th es e th ings)

t h at h e ge ts t o k n o w so me th i n g be tt e r t h a n th i s g oo d at
p r e sen t kno w n t o h im th en h is l ove c h a nges immedi a tely ,

f r o m th e o n e ( fi r s t ) t o t h e o th e r ( s ec o nd) All th i s we S ha ll .

s h o w m o r e cle a r ly w h e n w e tr e a t o f t h e f r eed o m o f ma n .

As t o l o v e f ro m t r ue ide a s 1 s i n ce th i s is n ot th e t h e pl ace
"

t o s pe a k of it w e S h a ll p as s it o ve r n o w a n d s pe a k o f t h e
, ,

t h i r d a n d l a s t n a mely t h e L o ve t h a t c o me s f r o m h e a r s ay
, , ,

o n ly Th i s w e gene r a lly o b s e r ve in th e a tt i t ude of c h ild r en

.

t o t h ei r f a th er bec a u se th ei r f at h e r t ell s th em t h at th i s or
t h a t is g oo d th ey incline t o w a r d s it w i t h o u t kn o w ing a ny ,

t h i n g m o r e a b o u t it We s e e it a l s o in t h o s e w h o f ro m
.

Lov e gi ve th ei r live s f or t h e F ath e rl a nd a n d al s o in th ose ,

w h o f r o m h e ars a y a b o u t s o me t h ing f a ll in l ove w i th it .

Next H atr ed th e exa c t o pp o s i t e of l ove a r i s e s f ro m

, , ,

e r r or w h ic h is th e o u t co me o f o pini o n F o r w h e n s o me .

o ne h a s c o me t o t h e c o nclu s i o n t h a t a ce r ta i n th ing is
g oo d a n d a n oth e r h a ppe n s to d o s o me th i n g to th e d e tri
,

me nt of th e sa me t h i ng th e n th e r e a ri se s in h im a h atr ed ,

a g a in st t h e o n e w h o did it a n d t h i s a s w e s h a ll expl a in , ,

a ft e r wa r d s c o uld neve r h a ppe n if t h e

, t r ue g oo d w e r e
k n own F or in c o mp ar i s on w i th t h e true g ood a l l indeed
.
, ,

t h a t is or is c o n c ei v ed is n a ug h t b u t w r e t c h ed n e s s i t s el f
, ,

a n d is n o t s u c h a l o ve r o f w h a t is w r e tc h ed m uc h m o r e

de s e r vi n g o f pi ty t h a n of h a tr ed
H at r ed l a stly c o me s a l so f ro m me r e h e ar s a y a s w e s e e
, , ,

it in t h e T u r k s a g a in s t j e w s a n d C h r i s t i a n s in t he J e ws ,

I L e th t ovme f m t u id éa co r le sk n wl edg e i n t
ro r e as o c ar o s o

co n id s ed h e it i t t h ut me f p i i
er er , as s e h w
s no e o co o O n on e ,
o e ve r,

c h pt a xx i b t it
er i . a ou .
 C HA PTE R IV
WH AT CO MES FR O M BE LI E F ; A ND O N TH E GO O D
A ND E VI L O F M AN

S INC E w e h a ve sh ow n in t h e p r ecedi ng c h ap ter h ow the

Pass i on s a r i s e f ro m t h e e r r or o f O pini o n l e t u s n ow se e ,

h er e th e e ff ec ts of th e t w o ot h e r m o de s o f Kn o w ing And .

fi rst of al l [ th e e ff ec t] of w hat we h a ve ca lled True

,

B elie f 1 '
.

Th i s s h ows us indeed w h at a t h ing o ugh t t o be b ut n ot

, , ,

wh at it r e a lly is And th i s is th e r e aso n why it c a n neve r

.

uni t e us w ith th e o bj ect of ou r belie f I say th en that it .

, ,

o nly t e a c h e s u s w h a t t h e t h ing o ug h t t o be a n d n ot w h at it ,

is ; betw een th e s e t wo th er e is a g r e at di ff er ence F or a s .

,

w e r em arked d p rop os o f th e ex a mple ta ke n f r o m t h e r ule of

t h r ee w h en a ny o n e c a n by t h e a id o f p r o p ort i on fin d a
, , ,

f ou rth number t h at s h a ll be r el at ed t o th e th i r d a s th e s ec o nd
is t o th e fi r st th en ( h a ving u s ed divi s i o n a nd mul t iplic at i o n )
,

h e c a n say th a t t h e f o u r numbe rs mu s t be p rop ort i o n a l

1 Bel ief is a t ong p oof b ased on R e ason wh e eby I am c on

s r s,
‘
r r

vinc e d in my mi nd t hat t h e t h i ng is eal l y and j u t su h out si de r , s c ,

my und e standi ng a I m on i nc ed in my mi nd t h t it i
r , s a c I ay v a s. s ,

a s trong proof b a sed on Reas ons in d e t h e e b y t d i t i ng ui sh it ,

or r r o s

b oth f om O p i n i on whi h i l w y d oub t ful nd l i b l e t o e o and

r ,
c s a a s a a rr r,

f m Knowl edg e wh i h doe n ot

ro on i t in b ei ng
c n i nc e d bys c s s co v

R ea ons b ut in n i mme d i t e uni on wi t h t h e t h i ng i t e l f

s ,
a Isy
a s . a ,

tha t the thing is r ea ll y a nd j us t s u c h ou tsid e my u n der s ta nd ing

e au e e on nn t d iv m in t h i fo othe wi e t he y
rea l l y, b c s r as s ca o ece e e s, r r s

woul d not b e di ff e n t f m p i ni n j ust s uc h f it n onl y t el l

re ro o o .
, or ca

me what t h t h i ng oug h t t b e n d n ot wha t it e l l y i t he wi

o e, a r a s, o r se

it woul d n t b d i ffe e nt f om Knowi ng

o e Outside f r it mak s u
r .
, or e s

enj oy intel l ec tual ly not wh t i in us b ut wh t i ut si de a s , a s o us .

74
 O N T HE GO O D AND E VIL OF MAN 75

a nd a l th o ugh th at is s o h e S pea ks of it n o ne th e le ss as of a
,

t h ing t h a t is bey o nd h im But wh en h e c o me s t o s e e the

.

o o r tiofi in t h e w a y w h ic h w e h a ve s h o w n in th e f o u r th I
p p
r

exa mple th en h e s a ys w i th tr u th th a t th e th ing is s o bec a u s e

, ,

th en it is in h im a nd n o t bey o nd him L e t t h i s s u ffice .

a s r eg a r d s th e fi r s t [ e ff ec t ] .

Th e s ec o n d e ff ec t of t r ue belie f is t h at it b r i n gs u s t o a
clear e r understa ndi n g th rough w h ic h we l ove God a n d th u s
, ,

it m a kes u s in t ellec tu a lly a w a r e o f th e th i n gs w h ic h a re n o t

in u s b ut o u tside u s
, .

Th e t h i r d e ff ec t is t h at it gi v e s u s t h e kn o w ledge o f g oo d
,

a n d e v il a n d s h o w s u s a l l th e p a ss i o n s w h ic h s h o uld be
,

s upp r e ss ed And as we h a ve a l r e a dy sa id t h at th e p ass i o n s

.

wh ich c o me f r o m op i n i o n a r e li a ble t o g r e a t evil it is w or th ,

t h e p a in s t o se e h ow t h e s e a l s o a r e s i f t ed ou t by th i s s ec o nd
kind of kn o wledge so th at w e may se e w h a t is g ood and
,

w h at is b a d in th em .

To d o s o c o nve n ien tly l e t us u s ing th e s a me me t h o d a s

, ,

be f or e l ook at t h em cl osely s o th at w e may kn ow through

, ,

it w h ic h of t h em sh o uld be c h o s e n a nd w h ic h r ej ec t ed .

B u t be f or e p r o ceeding t o t h i s l e t u s fi rs t s ta t e br iefly wh at
, ,

is t h e g o o d a n d evil o f m a n .

We h ave a l re a dy sa id be f or e th at al l th ings a re n ecessarily

w h at t h ey a r e a n d t h at in Na ture there is no g ood a n d n o evil
, .

S o t h a t w h at eve r w e wan t m a n t o be [ in t h i s r e s pec t

]
mu st r ef e r to h is kind w h ic h is n oth ing el s e tha n a thing of
,

Rea son And w h en w e h ave c onceived in ou r mind a n Ide a

.

of a pe rf ec t ma n it s h o uld m a ke u s l o o k (w h en w e ex a mine
,

o u rs el v e s ) t o s e e wh e th e r w e h a ve an me n f t t ining to
y a s o a a

s uc h pe rf ec t i on .

H ence t h en wh a teve r adva nce s u s toward s perf ec t i on

, ,
,

w e c al l g oo d a n d o n th e c o n tra r y Wh a t h inde r s o r al s o
, , , ,

wh at d o e s not a dva n ce u s t ow ar d it b a d ,
.

I mu st t h e r efore I say c onceive a perf ec t ma n if I wa n t

, , ,

I A : t hi d ; B fourt h r : .
 76 GO D, MAN AN D , H IS W E LL-B E I N G
M to e a nyth ing c o nce r ning th e g o o d a nd evil of ma n
a ss r t
,

be c ause if I w e re to c on s ider th e g oo d a n d ev il of s o me
individu a l ma n s ay e g of Ad am I sh o uld be c on fu s i n g a
,
*
, . .
, ,

r e a l t h i n g ( ens rea l e ) w i th a t h ing o f R e a s o n ( e ns Ra tionis

) ,

w h ic h mu s t be m ost s c r upul ou s ly a v o ided by a n up r ig h t

P hil osop her f or r ea s o n s w h ic h w e sh a ll s t a t e in th e s equel
, ,

o r o n a n o th e r o cc as i o n Fu rth e rm ore s ince th e de st iny of

.
,

Ada m or of a ny oth er individu a l cr ea tu r e is n ot kn ow n to

, ,

u s excep t t h r o ug h t h e r e s ul t s o it f o ll o w s th a t w h at w e ,

c a n s a y even o f t h e de st iny o f m a n mu st be b a s ed o n th e

idea w h ich our unde r sta nding f orm s of a per f e c t ma n 1 ,

'

w h ic h de s tiny s ince it is a t h ing o f R e a so n w e ma y w ell

, ,

kn ow so a l so a s a l r e a dy r em arked a re g oo d a nd evil
, , ,

w h ic h are o nly m o de s o f th inking .

To c o me gra du a lly t o th e p o in t We h ave a l r e a dy p o in t ed :

o u t be f or e h ow th e m o vemen t p ass i o n s a n d a c t ivi t ie s of t h e , ,

so ul a r i s e f r o m ide a s a n d th e s e ide as w e h a ve divided in t o

,

f o u r kind s n a mely [ a cc o r ding a s t h ey ar e b as ed o n ] mere

, ,

h ears ay expe r ience belief cle ar kn ow ledge

, ,
And f ro m ,
.

wh at w e h ave n ow s een of th e e ff ec ts of al l t h e s e it is eviden t ,

th at th e f o u rth n a mely cle ar kn ow ledge is th e m o st pe rf ec t

, , ,

of a l l . F o r opini o n oft en le a d s u s in t o e rr or Tr ue belie f is .

g oo d o nly bec a u s e it is th e w ay t o t rue kn ow ledge a nd ,

a w aken s u s t o t h in g s w h ic h a r e r e a lly l ov a ble S o t hat t h e .

fin a l end th at w e s eek a nd th e h igh e st t hat we kn ow is true

, ,

kn ow ledge B u t ev en th i s true k n o wledge va r ies w ith th e

.

obj ec ts t h a t c o me be f or e it : t h e be tt e r t h e o bj ec t is w i t h

w h ic h it h a ppen s t o uni t e i t s el f s o much t h e be tt e r a l so is ,

t h i s kn ow ledge And f or th i s rea son h e is th e m os t pe rf ect

.
, ,

ma n w h o is uni t ed w i th G o d (wh o is t h e m ost pe rf ec t being

o f al l ) a n d s o enj o y s h im
,
.

1 Fo f om no i ndivi dual c e tu e c an one de ive an I dea that is r a r r

'
r r

e e f h e fe i on of t h i s ob j e t i t s el f h is ] wh et h e it
p r f c t ; o t re p c t r
[t t c , a , r

is r eal l y p e fec t o not c nnot b e deduc ed ex ep t f om a g ene al

r r , a c r r

p e r f ec t I d e o Ens Ra tionis
a, r .
 C HA PT E R V
O N L OV E

LO V E w h ic h is n o th ing el s e th a n t h e enj oymen t of a thing

,

a n d uni o n t h e r e w i t h w e S h a ll divide a cc o r ding t o t h e qu a li

,

t ie s o f its o bjec t ; th e o bj ec t t h a t is w h ic h ma n s eek s t o

, ,

enj oy a nd to u n i t e h im el f w i th
,
s .

No w s o me o bj ec ts a r e in t h em s elve s tr a n s ien t ; oth e rs ,

indee d are n o t tra nsie nt by vi rtue of th ei r ca u s e Th er e is

,
.

e t a th i r d t h a t is e t er n a l a n d impe r i sh a ble t h r o ugh its o w n

y
p ow e r a nd might .

T h e t ra n s ien t a re a l l th e p a r ticul ar t h ings w h ic h did n ot

exi st f ro m al l time or I h ave h ad a begi n n ing
, .

Th e oth e rs a r e a l l t h os e m o de s II w h ic h w e h a ve s tat ed t o
be t h e c a u se of t h e p art icul ar m ode s .

B u t t h e th i r d is God or wh a t w e r eg ard as o n e a nd th e
, ,

sa me Tru th
,
.

Love th e n ar i ses fro m th e ide a a nd kn ow ledge th a t w e

, ,

h a ve o f a th i n g ; a n d a cc o r ding a s th e t h ing s h ows i ts el f

greater a nd m or e gl ori o u s so a l so is our l o ve gr eat e r
, .

I n t w o w ay s it is p oss ible to f r ee ou rs elv es from l ove

ei th e r by ge tt ing to kn ow s ometh i ng be tte r or by di sc ove r ing ,

t h a t t h e l oved o bj ec t w h ic h is h eld
, b y us t o be s o me
* "

th ing gre at a nd gl ori ou s b r ings in its t ra in muc h woe a n d

,

di sast er .

It is a l so c h a ra c te r i stic o f l ove th at we neve r th ink

o f em a ncip at i n g o u r s el v e s f ro m it ( a s f r o m s u rp r i s e a n d

o th e r p as s i o n s ) ; a n d th i s f or t h e f o ll o w ing t wo r e a s o n s :

( )
1 bec a u s e it is imp o ss ible ( 2 ) bec a u s e it is nece ssar y t hat
,

w e s h o uld n o t be r ele a s ed fr om th e s a me .

I B b t : u .
I I B t he g en l m des : e ra o .

78
 ON LO V E 79

I t is imp ossib l e beca u s e it d o es n ot depend o n u s b ut ,

l
F

o nly o n t h e goo d a nd u s e f ul w h i c h w e di s ce r n in t h e o bjec t

it is nece s s ary t h a t t h e s e s h o ul d nev e r h ave bec o me kn o w n

t o u s if we w o uld n ot o r sh o uld n o t l o ve it a n d th i s is
I
,

n ot a m a t t e r o f o u r f r ee C h o ice o r dependen t o n u s f or , ,

if we kne w n ot h ing it is ce r ta i n t h a t w e s h o uld a l s o be

,

n oth i ng .

I t is nec es sa ry t ha t w e sh o uld n o t be r ele as ed f ro m it ,

becau s e o wing to th e w eakness of o ur n at u r e w e c ould not

, ,

exi s t w i th out enj oying so me th ing w i th w h ich w e bec ome

uni ted a nd fr o m wh ic h w e d raw strengt h
, .

No w w h ic h o f t h e s e th r ee kind s o f o bj ec t s a re w e to
ch oos e or to r ej ect
AS r ega rd s t h e tra nsient ( s ince a s r em ar ked w e mu st , , ,

ow ing t o t h e w e a kne s s o f ou r n at u r e nece s sar ily l ove ,

s o me th ing a n d bec o me uni t ed w i t h it in o r de r to exi s t) it ,

is certa in t h at ou r n at u r e bec o me s n ow i s e s tr eng th e n ed

t h ro ugh o u r l o ving a n d bec oming uni ted w i th t h e se I
, , ,

f or th ey are w e a k t h em s elve s a n d t h e o n e c ripple c a nn ot

,

c arry th e oth er And n ot o nly d o t h ey n ot a dva nce u s b u t

.
,

t h ey a r e even h ar m f ul t o u s F or w e h a ve s a id tha t l ove is

.

a union with the ob e c t

f whic h our u ndersta nding ju dges t o be

g ood a nd g l oriou s ; a nd by
me an s u c h a uni o n
th is we
w h e r eby b o th t h e l o ve r II a n d w h a t is l oved bec o me o ne
a n d th e s ame t h ing o r t o ge th e r c o n s t i t u t e o n e w h o le
,
He .
,

t h e r e for e is indeed a l w a y s w r e t c h ed w h o is u n i t ed to
,

t ra n s ien t th ings F or S ince t h e s e a r e beyo nd his p ow e r

.
, ,

a n d S u bj ec t t o m a ny a cciden ts it is imp os s ible t h at w h en , ,

t h ey a r e a ff ec t ed h e s h ould be fr ee f r o m t h e s e aff ec t s And

, .
,

c on s equen tly w e c onclude I f th os e w h o l ove t r a n s ien t

, :

t h ing s t h at h a ve s o me me a s u r e of r e a li ty a r e s o w r e t c h ed ,

h ow w r e t c h ed mu st t h ey be w h o l o ve h o n ou r r ic h e s a n d , ,

pleasu r es wh ic h h ave no r e a li ty wh at eve r

,

I B wit h t hi ng s wh i h a e t ansient
‘

c r r .

I I A and B l o e : v .
80 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E L L -B E I N G
Le t t hi s s u ffice to S h ow u s h ow R e as on t e a c h e s u s to keep
a w a y fro m t h ing s s o flee t ing F or wh at w e h ave j u s t s a id
.

s h o w s u s cle a r ly th e p o i s o n a n d t h e e v il w h ic h lu r k c o n

c e a l e d in t h e l o ve o f t h e s e t h i n g s B u t w e s e e t h i s ye t .

i nc o mp ara bly cle a r e r w h e n w e o b s erve f r om w h at gl or i ou s

a n d excelle n t a g o o d w e a r e kep t a w a y t h r o ug h t h e enj o y

me nt of t h i s .

We sa id bef or e that th e th i n gs w h ich are tra n s ient are

beyond ou r p o w e r B ut l e t u s be w ell u n de rst o o d w e
.
3“ I“

d o n ot me a n t o sa y t h a t w e are a f r ee c a u s e depending up o n
n oth ing el s e ; o n ly wh en w e sa y that s o me th i ngs a r e in ,

o t h e rs bey o nd o u r p o w e r w e me a n by th o s e th a t a r e in
,

o u r p ow e r s uc h a s w e c a n p r o duce t h r o ugh t h e o r de r of

or t o ge t h e r w i th N at u r e o f w h i c h w e a re a p a r t
,
by th os e
w h ic h are n o t in o u r p ow e r s uc h as being o u ts ide u s a r e , , ,

n o t li a ble t o s u ff e r a ny c h a n ge t h r o ug h u s bec a u s e t h ey a r e ,

v e ry f a r r em oved f r o m o u r r e a l e s s ence a s th u s f a s h i o ned by

N at u r e .

T o p r o ceed we c o me n o w t o th e s ec o n d kind o f o bj ec ts
, ,

wh ic h th o ug h e t e r n a l a n d impe r i s h a ble a r e n o t s u c h t h r ough ,

t h ei r o wn p ow e r I H o w eve r if w e i n st i t u t e a br ief inqui r y

.
,

h e r e w e be c ome immedi at ely a wa r e th a t t h e s e a r e o nly

,

mer e m ode s wh ic h depend immedi at ely on God An d s ince .

th e n a tu r e of t h e s e is s uc h t h ey c a n n ot be c o nceived by u s
,

unles s w e a t th e same t ime h av e a c oncep tio n of G od I n

, , .

th i s s ince h e is pe r f ec t ou r L ov e mu s t n e c e s sa r ily r e st
, , .

A n d t o exp r e ss it in a w o r d if w e u se o u r unde r s ta nding

, ,

a r ig h t it w ill be imp o s s ible f o r u s n o t t o l ov e G o d .

Th e R e as o n s w h y a r e cle ar F irs t of a l l bec a u s e w e find

,
.
,

t h a t G o d a l o ne h as e ss e n ce o nly a n d a l l o th e r th i ng s ar e ,

n o t e s s ence s b u t m ode s A n d s ince t h e m o de s c a nn ot be

.

rig h t ly u n de r s t oo d w i t h o u t t h e en t i ty o n w h ic h t h ey im

medi ately depend a nd [ as ] w e h a ve a l rea dy sh ow n be for e

I B ont i nu
c b t
es : e m de
“
u wh i c h d p e nd i mmed i t el y on
ar o s e a

G od - nda mi t t h next e nt e nc e
o s e s .
 C H A PT E R VI
O N H ATR E D

H ATR E D is a n inclin at i o n t o w a r d off fro m u s th a t wh ich h as

c a u s ed u s s ome h a rm I Now it is t o be r em ar ked th at
.

we pe rf o r m o u r a c ti o n s in tw o w a y s n a mely ei th e r w i th or , ,

w i th o u t p a s s i o n. Wi th p a ss i o n a s is c o mm o nly s een in th e
,

[ c o nduc t o f ] m a s t e r s t o w a r d s t h ei r s e r v a n t s w h o h a ve d o ne
s o me th ing a mi s s . Wi th ou t p a s s i o n a s is r el ated of S o cra te s
, ,

w h o w h e n h e w a s c o mpelled t o c h a s t i s e h is s l av e f or [ t h e
,

l a tter s ow n ] g ood neve r did so w h e n h e f el t th at h e was

’
,

en ra ged a gai n st his S l av e .

No w t h at w e se e th a t o u r a c t i o n s a re pe rf or med by u s
ei th e r w i th or w i th ou t p as si on w e th ink th at it is C lear
, ,

t h at t h os e t h ing s w h ic h h inde r o r h a ve h inde r ed u s

c a n be r em o ve d w h e n nece ssary w i th o u t a ny per t u r b a
, ,

t i o n o n ou r p art . And s o wh i c h is be tte r th at we sh ould

,

flee fr o m the th ing s w i th a ve rs i o n a nd h atred or th at wi th , ,

t h e s tr e n g th o f r e a s o n w e s h o uld ( f o r w e th ink it p oss ible)

,

endu r e th em w i th o u t l oss of t emper ? Fi rst of a l l it is ,

ce rta in th a t w h en w e d o w hat w e h ave to d o w i th o u t

p ass i o n t h en n o evil c a n re sul t th e r e fro m And s ince
, .
,

t h e r e is n o me a n be tw ee n g oo d a n d evil w e s e e t h a t a s , ,

it is b ad t o d o a nyt h i n g in a p as s i o n s o it mu s t be g o o d to ,

a c t w i t h ou t it .

B u t l e t u s ex a mine w h e t h e r t h e r e is a n y h ar m in fleeing
f ro m t h ing s w i t h h atr ed a n d a ve rs i o n .

As r eg a r d s t h e h at r ed w h ic h c o me s f ro m o pini o n it is ,

ce rta in th at it s h ould ha ve no pl ace in us beca u s e we know ,

th at one a nd th e same t h ing is g ood f or us at o ne t ime b ad ,

I B l t : hi d n e
e or n ra c .

82
 ON HAT R E D 83

f or us at a n oth e r t ime ,
as is a l way s th e c as e w i th medicin a l N

h er b s .

It the re fore depends in t h e e n d o n w h eth e r th e h atr ed

, ,

a r i s e s in u s o n ly t h r o ug h o pi n i o n a n d n o t a l so t h r o ug h ,

t r ue r e a s on i n g B u t t o a s ce ta in th i s p r o pe r ly w e deem it
. r

r ig h t t o e xpl a in di s t inc t ly w h a t h a t r ed is a n d t o di s t i n gui s h

,

it fr o m a ve rs i o n .

Now I s a y t h at Ha t red is a pe rt u r b a t i o n o f t h e s o ul
a g a in s t s o me o n e w h o h a s d o n e s o me ill t o u s w illi n gly a n d

kn ow i ngly B u t a ve rsion is th e pe rt u rb at i o n w h ich a r i s e s

.

in u s ag a i n s t a th ing o n a cc oun t of s ome i n firm ity or inj u ry

w h ic h w e ei t h e r k now o r t h i n k is in it by n at u r e I s ay by .
,

n atu re f o r w h e n w e d o n o t s upp o s e o r th i n k t h at it is so "

,

t h en e ven if w e h a ve s u ff e r ed s o me h i n dr a n ce o r i n j u r y f r o m
,

it w e h ave n o a ve rs i on f or it bec a u s e w e m a y on t h e c o n
, , ,

t ra ry e xpec t s o me t h ing u s e f ul f r o m it Th u s w h en s o me o n e
, .
,

is h u rt by a s t o n e o r a k n i f e h e d o e s n o t o n t h a t a cc o un t f eel
,

a n y a ve rs i o n f o r t h e s a me .

A fte r th e se o bs e rva ti o n s l e t u s now b riefly c on s ide r t h e

c o n sequence s of b oth of t h em Fr o m h a tr ed th er e e ns ue s .

s o rr o w ; a n d w h e n t h e h a tr ed is g r e a t it p r o duce s a n ge r , ,

wh ic h n ot o n ly like h a tr ed s eeks t o flee f r o m w h at is h at ed

, , ,

b u t a l s o t o a nni h il a t e it w h e n t h a t is p r a c t ic a ble f r o m t h i s
,

g rea t h a tr ed c ome s a l so envy B ut fro m a ve rs i o n th e r e .

c o me s a certa i n sorrow bec a u s e w e c on sider o u rs elve s t o

,

be dep r ived o f s o me th ing w h ich s i n c e it 18 r e al mu s t a lw ay s , ,

h a ve its e s s e n ce a nd pe r f ec t i o n .

From wh a t h as j u st been sa id it may be e asily unde rs too d

t h a t if w e u s e o u r R e as o n ar igh t w e c a n f eel n o h a t r ed o r
, ,

a ve rs i o n f or a ny th ing bec a u s e if w e d o w e dep r ive ou r

, , ,

s elve s of t h a t pe rf ec t i o n w h ic h is t o be f o und in e ve ry th ing I .

I i ues whil e n t h c ont y if w want nythi ng w

B c ont n : ,
o e ra r ,
e a e

mu t c ont i e t i mp ve wh t eve we w nt f om n tu e whe t he

s r v o ro a r a r a r ,
r

fo own
r ou r k f th ke f t h t hi ng i t l f — n d mi t
sa e , or or e sa o e se a o s

t h e ne xt se nt e nc e .
84 G O D , M A N, A ND H I S W E LL-B E IN G
We s e e like wi s e w i th o ur R e a so n tha t w e c a n neve r [ reason
a bly ] f eel a ny h a tr ed w h a t eve r a g a in s t a nyb o dy becau s e ,

wh at s o eve r exi sts in N at u r e if w e en t e r ta in a ny w i sh a b ou t

,

it th en w e mu s t a l w a ys imp r ove it w h e t h er f or ou r s ake o r

, ,

f or t h e s a ke o f th e t h ing i ts el f And s ince a pe rf ect ma n is

.

t h e be st t h ing f o r u s t h at w e k n ow o f a l l t h at w e h av e
* “
’F

a r o und u s or be f o r e o u r eye s it is by f ar t h e be s t b oth f o r u s

,

a n d f or a l l pe ople indi v idu a lly t h a t w e s h o uld a t a l l t ime s s eek

t o educ a t e th em t o th i s pe rf ec t s tat e F or o nly th en c an we

.

r e a p t h e g r e a t e s t benefi t f ro m t h em a n d t h ey fr o m u s
,
.

Th e me a n s t h e r e t o is t o give r eg ard t o t h em a l wa y s in t h e
,

m a nne r in w h ich w e a re c o n sta n t ly ta ugh t a nd exh orted to

d o by ou r g oo d C on s cience ; f o r t h i s neve r p ro mp t s u s
t o o ur und o ing b u t a l w a y s t o o u r h appine s s a n d w ell
*
,

being .
‘

I n c on clu s i on w e s ay th at H atr ed a n d Ave rsi on h ave

,

in t h em a s m a n y impe r f ec t i o n s a s Lov e o n t h e c o n ,

t ra r y h a s pe r f ec t i o n s F o r th i s a l w ay s p ro duce s imp r ove

.

me n t invig or at i on a n d enl ar ge men t w h ic h c on st i tu t e

,

, , ,

perf ec ti o n ; w h ile H atred on t h e c o n trary a l wa ys m a ke s

, ,

f o r de s ol a t i on e n e r va t i o n a nd a nn i h il a t i on w h ic h c o n
, , ,

s tit u te impe r f ec ti o n i t s el f .
86 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E L L-B E I N G
Las tly h e wh o u s e s h is understa nding a righ t mu s t mece s
,

s a ril y kn ow G o d fi r s t Now G o d a s w e h a ve sh ow n is.

, ,

t h e h ig h e s t g oo d a nd al l t h at is g o od He nce it f oll ows .

inc on t rove r tibly tha t on e w ho u ses h is unde rsta ndi n g ar ight

,

c a n f a ll a p r ey t o n o s orr o w H o w sh o uld h e s ince h e .

fi n ds r ep os e in t hat g ood w h ic h is a l l th a t is g ood a nd in ,

wh ic h t h e r e is t h e f ulne ss o f a l l j oy a n d c o n t e n t m e n t I .

S orr ow th en c ome s f ro m o pini o n o r w a n t o f unde rs tand

, ,

ing as e xp l ain e d II
, .

I B idg e th p g p h fol l w L tl y h who u es his

ab r s e ara ra as o s : as , e s

und e t andi ng ight mu t n e c

rs ar il y k now t h t G d is the fi ts e s s ar a o rs

a nd t h h ig he st ;
e nd t in him t hi s up eme g
a d when e it
re s as s r oo : c

f l l ow t hat
o s i n e h find t he i n l l j y nd ful l nt e nt ment n
, s c e s re a o a co , o

sor ro w n b ef l l h im
ca a .

I I B mi t t h l t se nt en
o s e as ce .
 C HA PTE R V I II

O N E S TE E M A ND CO N TE M PT , &c .
I

WE sh a ll now p r o ceed t o spe a k o f E steem a nd C o n t emp t o f ,

S el f-r e spec t a nd H u m il ity o f C o n cei t a n d C ulp a ble H umili t y

, .

We s h all ta ke th em in th e a b ove or der a nd try t o di sti ngui sh ,

a ccu ra t ely w h a t is g o o d a n d w h a t is b a d in t h em .

E st eem a n d C o n temp t a r e f el t in so f a r as w e kn o w a th ing

t o be some th ing g r e a t o r s m a ll be t h i s g r e a t o r li t tle t h ing ,

in u s or ou tside u s II .

S el f-r e s pec t d o e s n o t e xt end [ t o a ny th ing ] o u ts ide u s ,

a n d is o n ly a t t r ibu t ed t o o n e w h o kn o w s t h e r e al w o r th o f

h is pe r f ec ti on di s p a s s i o n at ely a n d w i th o u t s eeking e st eem

,

f or h im s el f .

Humili ty is f el t w h en a n y on e kn ow s h is own im p e rfe c

t i o n w i t h ou t r eg ar d t o t h e c o n t emp t [ o f ot h e rs] f or h im
,

s el f ; I II s o t h a t Humili t y d o e s n o t r e f e r t o a ny th i n g o u t s ide

t h e h umble m a n .

C o ncei t is t h i s w h e n s o me o n e a tt r ibu t e s t o h im s el f a
,

perf ec t i on wh ich is n ot to be f o und in h im .

C ulp a ble h umili t y is th i s w h en s o me o n e a ttr ibu t e s t o ,

h im s el f a n impe r f ec t i o n w h ic h h e h a s n ot I a m n ot .

s pe a king o f t h os e h yp o c r i t e s w h o w i th o u t me a ning it , ,

I B enum e ra t s e al l t h e t op i cs in t he h e d i ng
a of i
t h s and t he

i
f ol l ow ng c h a p t e rs .

II B beg in t hi h p t es fol l ow s c a r as s : In or di t ingui h

de r to s s

th oro ug hly t he g d nd evi l in t he e P

oo a s a ss i on w h l l t k e t h e m
s e s a a

up in t u n b g i n ni ng wi th E t ee m
r , e nd s a C n t e mp t wh i c h efe t o
o ,
r r

s ome t h i ng k nown t h t i in o out i d e u a s r s s, t h fi t el t i ng t o ome

e rs r a s

t h i ng g re t t he l t t o so me t h ing m l l
a , as ,
s a .

I II B wit h t ny l f nt e mp t
: ou a se -c o .

87
 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E L L-B E I N G
l h umble th ems elve s in o r der to deceive oth ers I b u t o nly
o f th o s e wh o r e a lly th ink t h ey h a ve t h e impe rf ec t i on s w h ic h

t h ey a t tr ibu t e t o t h em s el v e s .

Fro m t h es e o b s e r vat i o n s it is s u fficien tly evide nt wh at

good a nd evil th e r e is in e a c h o f th e s e p ass i o n s For as .
,

r eg a r d s S el f r e s pe c t a n d Humili t y t h e s e S h o w t h e ir exc ellence

-
,

t h ro ug h th em s el v e s F o r w e sa y t h a t t h e p o ss e s s o r th e r e
.

o f kn o w s h is pe r f ec t i o n a n d impe rf ec t i o n f o r w h a t it is I I .

A n d t h i s a c c or di n g t o w h a t R e a s o n t e a c h e s u s is t h e
, ,

m ost imp or ta n t th ing for th e a tta inme n t o f o u r pe rf ect i o n .

B ec a u s e if w e k n o w e xa c t ly o u r p o w e r s a n d pe rf ec t i o n w e ,

se e th e r eby c le a r ly w h a t it is w e h a ve to d o in o r de r t o a t t a i n

o u r g oo d e n d A n d o n t h e ot h e r h a nd if w e kn ow ou r
.
, ,

f a ul t a n d f ra il t y t h en w e k n o w w h a t w e h a v e t o a v o id
, .

As r eg a r d s C oncei t a n d C ulp a ble H umili t y t h e de fini t i o n ,

o f t h em a l r e a dy s h o w s s u ffic ie n t l y t h at t h ey a r i s e f r o m a
* *

ce r ta i n O pi n i o n f or w e s a id t h at it [ c on cei t ] is a ttr ibu t ed

t o o n e w h o a s c r ibe s t o him s el f a ce r t a i n pe rf ec t i o n a l th o ugh ,

h e d o e s n ot p os s e s s it a n d culp a ble h umili t y is t h e p r eci s e

,

O pp o s i t e .

From w h a t h as j u s t bee n s a id it is ev iden t th e n t h a t j u s t , ,

a s S el f- r e s pec t a n d T r ue H umili t y a r e g o o d a n d s a lu tar y ,

s o o n t h e c o n t ra r y C o n c ei t a n d C ulp a ble Humili t y a r e b a d

, ,

a n d pe r n ici o u s F o r t h os e [ S el f -r e s pec t a n d Tr ue Humili t y ]

.

n o t o nly p u t t h ei r p o s s e s s o r i n t o a v e r y g o o d a tt i tude b u t ,

a r e a l s o be s ide s t h e r ig h t l a dde r by w h ic h w e ma y r i s e to
, ,

s up r eme bli ss B u t th e s e [ C o ncei t a n d C ulp a ble H umili t y ]

.

n ot o n ly p r even t u s f r o m a t t a i n i n g t o o u r pe rf ec t i o n b u t ,

a l so le a d u s t o u t t e r r uin C ulp a ble Humili ty is w h at p re

.

ven ts u s fr o m d o ing th at wh ic h w e sh ould oth e r w i s e h ave

to d o in or de r t o bec o me pe rf ec t w e se e t h i s f or in sta nce , ,

in th e cas e of t h e S cep t ics w h o j u st bec au se t h ey deny that , ,

I B: who w t h o t i u e l l y m ning it m ke
r a ea a a sh ow of u
h mb ing l
th em els ve s s i mp l y in d e t dec ei e ot he
or r o v rs .

II B f or t h i t ue wo t h
e r r r .
 C HA PTE R I X
O N H O PE A ND F E AR , & c .

WE ll now begi n to s pe a k of H o pe a nd Fe ar of C o nfi
S ha ,

d ence De s p a i r a n d V a cill a t i o n o f C ou ra ge B o ldne ss a n d

, , , ,

E mul at i on o f Pu s ill a n imi ty a n d T imidi t y a n d l a st ly of

*
, ,

a l ousyf a n d as is o u r w o n t w e sh a l l t a ke t h em o ne by
"
Je , ,

o ne a nd th en indic a t e w h ic h o f t h e s e c a n h inde r u s a n d
, ,

w h ich c a n p ro fi t u s We shall be a ble t o do a l l th i s ver y

.

e asily if o nly w e a ttend cl o s ely to th e th ough ts t h at we c an

,

h a ve a b ou t a th ing t h a t is y e t t o c o me be it g ood b e it , , c

b ad .

*
Th e ide a s w h ic h we h a ve a b o u t th i ng s ha ve r ef erence
ei th e r
1 . ings th em s elve s or
To th e t h ,

2 To th e pe r s o n w h o h as t h e id e a s
. .
at

Th e ide as t h a t w e h a ve a s r ega r d s th e th ing i ts el f a r e

t h e s e ei t h e r th e t h i n g is reg a r ded by u s as a cciden t a l t h a t
, ,

is a s s o me t h ing w h ic h may c o me or ma y n o t c o me or [ we ,

t h ink ] t h at it nece ssa r ily mu s t c o me S o muc h as r eg ard s .

th e t h i n g i t s el f .

Next a s r egar d s h im wh o th inks a b ou t th e th ing th e

, ,

c as e is th i s : h e mu st d o s ometh ing ei th e r in orde r to

a dv a nce th e th ing o r in or de r t o p r eve n t it
, No w f r o m .

th e s e t h o ugh t s a l l t h e s e p a ss i o n s r e s ul t a s f oll ow s : wh en
w e t h ink t h a t a ce r ta i n t h ing w h ic h is ye t to c o me is g oo d
a nd t h a t it c a n h a ppe n t h e s o u l a ss ume s in c o n s equence o f
, ,

th i s th at f or m wh i c h w e c a ll hope wh ic h is n ot h ing el s e
, ,

th a n a ce rt a in kind o f j oy th o ugh mingled w i th s o m e ,

s orr ow .

And ,
on th e o th e r h a nd , if w e judge t h at t ha t wh ic h may
90
 ON H O PE AND F E AR , &c .
91

be co ming is b a d th en th a t for m e nte rs in to o u r s oul w h ich

,

w e c a ll fear .

I f h o w eve r th e th ing is r e g a r d e d b y u s a s g o o d a n d a t
'

, , , ,

t h e sa me t ime a s s o me th ing th a t nece ssa r ily mu s t c o me

, ,

th en t h e r e c o me s i n to t h e s o ul t h a t r ep o s e w h ic h we c a ll
c on fidence w h ic h is a ce r ta i n jo y n ot mingled W i th sorrow ,

a s h o pe is .

B u t w h e n w e t h ink t h a t t h e t h ing is b ad a n d th a t it ,

n ece s s a r ily mu s t c o me th en desp air e n t e rs in t o th e s o ul

,

w h ic h is n oth ing el s e t h a n a ce r ta in kind of sorrow .

S o f ar w e h a v e s p o ken o f th e p a s s i o n s c o n s ide r ed in t h i s
c h a p ter a nd given p o s i tive defi n i ti o n s of t h e s a me a n d h ave
, ,

t h u s s ta t ed w h at e a c h of t h em is w e m ay n o w p r o c eed in
a c o nve r s e m a n n e r a n d define t h em neg a t ively
, We hope .

t h a t t h e evil may n o t c o me w e fe ar le s t th e g o o d s h o uld n ot

,

-c o me w e a re c on fident t h a t t h e evil w ill n ot c o me w e des air

, p ,

beca u s e th e good w ill n ot c o me .

H aving sa id th i s muc h a b o u t the p ass i on s in s o f a r a s

th ey a r i s e fr o m ou r t h o ug h t s c o nce r n ing th e t h ing i ts el f ,

w e h a ve n o w t o s pe a k of th os e w h ic h a r is e fr om t h e
t h ough ts r el a t i n g t o h im w h o th inks a b o u t t h e t h ing
n a mely
I f s o me th ing mu s t be d o ne in or de r t o b r ing t h e th ing
a b o u t a nd w e c o me to n o dec is o n c o nce r ni n g it t h en t h e
,
.
i
,

s o ul r eceive s t h a t f Or m w h ic h w e c a ll va c il l ation B u t w h en .

it m a ke s a m an ly r e s o lve t o p r o duce t h e th i ng a nd t h i s c a n ,

be b ro ugh t a b ou t th en t h at is c alled c ourage ; a n d if th e

,

t h ing is di fficul t t o e ff ec t th en th a t is c a lled intrepidity or

,

b ravery .

Wh en h o w eve r s ome one decide s t o d o a th ing bec a u s e

, ,

a n o th e r ( w h o h a d d o ne it fi r s t ) h a s me t w i t h s ucce s s t h en ,

w e c all it emul ation Last ly .

*
,
*

I f a ny o n e k n o w s w h at h e mu s t decide t o d o in o r de r t o
a dva nce a g o o d t h ing a nd t o h inde r a b a d o n e a nd
, ye t ,

d oes no t d o so th en we ca ll it pusil l animity a nd wh e n t h e

,
 92 GO D, MAN A N D , H IS W E L L -B E IN G
H sa me is ve ry great w e ca ll it timidity L a st ly feal ousness o r
, .
,

yal ouS t e IS th e a nxie t y w h ic h w e f eel t h at w e ma y h a ve

'

t h e s o le enj oymen t a n d p o ss e ss i o n o f s o me th ing a l r e a dy

a cqui r ed .

S ince w e kn ow n o w wh ence th e s e p a s s i o n s or igi n at e it ,

w ill be ve r y e a s y f o r u s t o S h o w w h ic h o f t h em a r e g oo d ,

a n d w h ic h ar e b a d .

As r eg ar d s H ope Fe a r C o n fide n ce De s p a i r a n d Je a l o u s y
, , , , ,

it is ce r ta in t h at t h ey a r i s e f r o m a w r o ng opini o n F or as .
,

w e h ave a l r e a dy s h o w n a b o ve a l l t h i n g s h a ve t h ei r n e c e s
,

sa r y c a u s e s a n d mu s t nece s sa r ily h a ppen j u s t a s th ey d o

,

h a ppen And a l t h o ug h C o nfidence a n d De s p a i r s eem t o h a ve

.

a pl a ce in t h e invi o l a ble o r de r a n d s eque n ce o f c a u s e s I

*
or

t o c o nfi rm t h e y e t (w h en t h e t r u th o f th e m at t e r is
r ig h t ly l o o ked in t o ) th a t is f a r f r o m being th e c as e F or .

C o n fidence a n d De s p a i r neve r ar i s e unle s s H o pe a n d Fe ar ,

( f r o m w h ic h t h ey de r ive t h ei r bei n g ) h a v e p r eceded t h em .

F or ex a mple if a n y o n e t h ink s t h at s o me t h ing f o r w h ic h

, ,

h e s t i l l h a s t o w a i t is g oo d th en h e r eceive s th a t fo r m in
, ,

his s o ul w h ich w e c a ll H o p e ; a n d w h e n h e is c o n fiden t

ab out th e a q u is it ion o f th e s upp o s ed go o d h is so ul g a in s
* *
,

t h a t r ep os e w h ic h w e c a ll C o n fidence W h a t w e a r e n ow .

s a ying a b o u t c o n fide n ce th e s a me mu s t a l s o be s a id a b ou t
,

De sp a i r B u t a cc or ding t o t h at w h ic h w e h ave s aid a b o u t

.
,

Love th i s al so c a n h ave n o pl a ce in a pe rf e c t ma n : b e
,

c a u s e th ey p re supp ose th ings w h ich owing to t h e mu ta bili ty ,

t o w h ic h t h ey a r e s ubj ec t ( a s r em a r ked in ou r a cc o un t o f
L ove) w e mu s t n ot bec ome att a ch ed t o n or ( as sh ow n in
,

ou r a cc o un t of H a t r ed ) m a y w e even h a ve a n a ve rs i o n t o

t h em . Th e m a n h ow eve r w h o pe r s i s t s in th e s e p ass i o n s
, ,

is a t a l l t imes s ubj ec t to suc h a tta c h men t a nd a ve rs i o n .

A s r egar d s V a cill a t i on Pu s ill a nimi t y a n d T imidi ty th e s e

, , ,

betray th ei r imperf ec t i on t h rough th ei r ve ry c ha ra c te r a nd

n a t u r e : f o r w h a t s o eve r t h ey d o t o o u r a dv a n tage c o me s

I A add h e ( b ec ause t h e e l l i i n i l b l e nd un l te b l )
s er : r a s v o a a a ra e .
 C HA PTE R X

ON R E MO R S E A ND R E PE N TAN C E
O N th e p re s e nt o cc a s i o n
ll spea k th o ugh b r iefly
we sh a , ,

a b o u t re mors e a n d rep ent a nc e Th e s e n eve r ari s e excep t as

.

t h e r e sul t o f ra s h ne ss bec a u s e remorse c omes o nly fro m

t h i s th at w e d o so me th ing a b ou t w h ic h w e a re t h en in
,

d o ubt w h e th e r it is g ood or w h e th e r it is b a d a n d repent

,

ance f r o m t h i s t h a t w e h ave d one s o me th ing w h ic h is

, ,

b ad .

And s ince m a ny pe ople ( w h o u se t h ei r understa ndi ng

ar ig h t) s o me t ime s ( bec a u s e th ey l a ck t h a t h a bi t u al r e a dine ss

w h ic h is r equi r ed in o r de r t h a t t h e u n der sta n ding ma y a t

a l l t ime s be u s ed a r ig h t) t y it mig h t pe r c h a nce be
g o a s ra ,

th o ug h t t h at s uc h R em or s e a n d R epe n t a nce migh t so o n se t

t h em r igh t a ga in a n d t h ence it migh t be in f e rr ed a s th e
, ,

wh ole w orld d o e s in f e r th at t h ey a re g o od I I f h ow eve r

,
.
, ,

we w ill g e t a p r ope r in s igh t in t o t h em w e sh a ll find t h a t ,

t h ey a re n ot o n ly n ot g oo d b u t th at t h ey a re o n t h e c on
, ,

t ra r y per nici o u s a n d t h a t th ey a re c o n s equen t ly b a d

, ,
For .

it is o b v i o u s t h a t w e a l way s s ucceed be tt e r t h r o ugh R e a so n

a n d th e l o ve o f t r u t h t h a n t h r o ug h r em or s e a n d s o r r o w .

Th ey a re t h er e for e pe r nici ou s a n d b ad bec a u s e t h ey a re

, , ,

a ce r ta in kind o f S o rr o w w h ic h a ve a l re a dy
[ s o r r ow
, ] w e h
s h o w n a b ove t o be inj u r i o u s a n d w h ic h f or t h a t r e a s o n
, , ,

w e mu st t ry t o a ve r t a s a n evil a n d c o n s equen tly w e ,

mu st likewi s e sh un a nd flee fro m th e s e a l so w h ich a re ,

like it .

I B i ues b ut on the other hand when we l ook i nto the

c ont n : , ,

mat ter thoroughl y t he c ase is qui t e ot he wi se fo we sh l l find th t r , r a a

t hey a e not onl y not g od

r o
3
0
 C HA PTE R XI

O N D ER I S I O N A ND JE S T I NG
D E R IS IO N a n d j e sting r e st o n a f a l s e O pi ni on a nd be tr ay a n ,

imperf ec t i o n in h im w h o de r ides a n d j e st s .

Th e o pini on o n w h ic h t h ey r e s t is f a l s e bec a u s e it is ,

s upp o s ed th a t h e w h o is de r ided is t h e fi r s t c a u s e o f th e

eff ec ts wh ic h h e p r o duce s a n d t h a t t h ey d o not necessarily

,

( like t h e o th e r t h i ng s I n N a t u r e ) depend o n G o d Th ey .

be tray an imperf ec ti o n I n th e Deride r ; bec a u s e ei th er t h at

w h ic h is de r ided is s uc h t h a t it is de r i s ible o r it is n ot ,

s uc h . If it is n o t s uc h t h en it s h ow s b a d m a n ne rs t o
, ,

d e r ide t h a t w h ic h is n ot t o be de r ided ; if it is s uc h t h e n ,

t h ey [ wh o de r ide it ] S h ow t h e r eby t h a t t h ey r ec o gni s e s o me

imperf ec ti on in t h at w h ic h t h ey d e r ide w h ich th ey o ugh t t o ,

r emedy n o t by de r i s i o n b u t mu c h r a t h e r by g o o d r e a s o ni n g
, .
,

L a ug h t e r d o e s n ot r e f e r t o a n o th e r b u t o n ly t o t h e m a n,

w h o o b s e r v e s so me g oo d in h im s el f ; a n d s i n c e it is a
ce r ta i n kind of Joy t h e e is n oth i n g el s e to be s a id a b ou t
,
r

it th a n w h a t h as a l r e a dy been s a id a b o u t Jo y I spe a k of .

s uc h l a ug h t e r a s is c au s ed by a ce r t a i n Ide a w h i c h p r ov o k e s I

o n e t o it a n d n o t a t a l l o f s u c h l a ug h t e r a s is c a u s ed by
,

t h e m oveme n t of th e [v i t a l ] S pi r i t s a s t o t h i s ( s ince it h a s

n o r e f e r e n ce t o g o o d o r t o evil ) w e h a d n o in t en t i o n t o

s pe a k o f it h e r e .

As t o E nvy Ange r Indign at i o n w e s h a ll sa y n oth ing

, , ,

a b o u t t h e m h e r e b u t o n ly j u s t r e f e r b a c k t o w h a t w e h ave
,

a l r e a dy s a id a b ove c o nce r ning h a tr ed .

I B ont i nues t hu t h l ug he t he et o wi t hout ny ef n e t o

c s : e a r r a r e re c

oo d r
o evi l a nd n t t l l f uc h l ug h t is c u ed in him
g , a o o a s a e r as a s

b y t he move me nt of the [vi tal ] p i i t ; it was not ou i ntent i on t o

s r s r

s p eak of t hi Agai n
s. ,
 C HA PT E R X I I
O N GLO R Y , S H A M E , A ND S H A M E LE S S N ES S
WE sh a ll l br iefly c on s ider gl ory sha me a n d shame
n ow a s o , ,

l essness I Th e fi r s t I I is a ce r ta in kind o f Joy w h ic h ever y

.

o n e f eel s in h im s el f w h eneve r h e bec o me s a wa r e t h a t h is

c o nduc t is e steemed a nd p ra i s ed by oth e rs w ith ou t r eg ar d ,

t o a ny o t h e r a dv a n ta ge o r p r ofi t w h ic h th ey ma y h a ve in
V ie w.

S h a me is a ce r t a in kind of s orrow w h ich ar i s e s in one

w h e n h e h a ppe n s t o se e t h at h is c o nduc t is de s pi s ed by
o th e rs w i th o u t r ega r d to a n y o th e r di s a dva n t age o r inju r y
,

th at t h ey ma y h a ve in V ie w .

S h a mele s s n e ss is n o th i n g el s e th a n a w a nt or s h a king off , ,

o f sh a m e n ot th r o ug h R e a so n b u t ei th e r f r o m i n n o cence
, ,

o f S h a me a s is t h e c a s e w i th c h ild r en s ava ge pe ople & c

, , ,
.
,

or bec a u s e h a ving been h eld in g r e a t c o n t emp t o n e g o e s

, ,

n ow t o a n y leng t h w i th o u t r eg a r d f o r a n y th i n g

No w t h a t w e k n ow th e s e p a s s i o n s w e a l s o kn ow at t h e , ,

s a me t ime th e v a ni ty a n d impe r f ec t i o n w h ic h t h ey h a ve in
,

t h em . F or G l or y a nd S h a me a r e n o t o nly o f n o a dva n tage ,

be c a u se of w h a t w e h ave o bs erved in th ei r defini ti o n s b u t ,

a l s o ( i n a s muc h a s t h ey a re b a s ed o n s el f - l o ve a nd on th e ,

o pi n i o n th a t m a n is th e fi r s t c a u s e o f h is a c t i o n a n d t h e r e ,

f or e de s e rvi n g o f p ra i s e a n d bl a me ) they ar e pe r nici o u s a nd

mu st be r ejected .

I w ill not h ow eve r s ay th a t o n e o ugh t to live a m o ng

, ,

men in th e sa me w ay t h at on e w o uld live a w ay f ro m t h em ,

w h e r e G l ory a n d S h a me h ave n o pl a ce ; qui t e th e c o n t ra ry ,

I B mi t t h i e n t n o s s s e ce .

II A De e ers t e
[ T h ]
e fir st ; B : De eere [G l ory
] .

96
 C HA PTE R XI I I
O N FAV O UR , G R A TI T UDE , A ND I N GR AT I T U DE
NO W f o ll ow s [ th e c on s ide r ati on ] of favour gratitude a nd
, ,

ingr atitu de . As r eg a r d s t h e fi r st t w o t h ey a re t h e inclin a

,

t i o n s w h ic h t h e so ul h a s t o w i sh a n d t o d o s o me g o o d t o
o ne s n eig h b o u r I s ay to w i sh [ th i s h appen s] w h en good
’
.
, ,

is r e t u r ned t o o n e wh o h as d o ne s o me g oo d I s ay t o d o
, ,

[ t h i s is t h e c as e ] w h en w e o u r s elve s h ave o b t a ined or r eceived

s o me g ood .

I a m w ell aw ar e th at a lm ost al l pe ople c on side r t h es e

a ff ec t s t o be g o o d ; b u t n ot w i th s ta nding t h i s I ven t u r e t o s a y
, ,

t h a t th ey c a n h a ve n o pl a ce in a pe r f ec t m a n . F or a pe r f ec t
man is m o ved t o h elp his f ell ow -m a n by s h ee r nece ss i ty
o nly a nd by n o ot h e r c a u s e
, ,
a n d t h er e f or e h e f eel s it a l l

t h e m or e t o be h is du ty t o h elp th e m o s t g o dle ss s eeing ,

th a t h is mi s e r y a n d need a re s o muc h g r e a t e r .

Ingrat i tude is a di sregar d or sh a king off of Grat i tude ,

a s S h a mele ss ne s s is o f S h a me a n d t h a t w i th o u t a ny rat i o n a l
,

grou n d b u t s olely as t h e r es ul t ei th e r of g r eed or of

,

imm o de ra te s el f-l ove a n d th at is w hy it c an h a ve no pl ace

in a pe rf ect man .
 C H A PTE R X I V
O N GR E F I
GRI E F ll be th e l ast of wh i c h w e s h a ll S pea k in ou r tre at
sh a

men t of th e p a ss i o n s a n d w i th it w e will c o nclude Now

, .

g r ie f is a certa i n kind of sorro w a r i si ng fr o m t h e c on t em

pl at i on o f s ome go od wh ich w e h ave l ost a n d [ l ost] in s uch ,

a w a y th a t t h e r e is n o h o pe o f r ec o ve r ing t h e s a me I t m a ke s .

it s impe rf ec t i o n s o m a ni fe s t t h a t a s s oo n a s w e o nly ex a mine

it w e t h i n k it b a d F o r w e h a ve a l r e a dy sh ow n a b o ve
.

t h at it is b ad t o bind a n d li n k o u r s elve s t o t h ing s w h ic h

may e a s ily or a t s o me t ime f a il u s a n d w h ic h w e c a nn o t
, , ,

h ave whe n w e wa n t t h em And s ince it is a ce r ta in kind

.

o f sorr ow w e h a ve t o s h un it as w e h a ve a l r e a dy r em a rked
, ,

a b ove w h en w e w e r e t r e a t i n g of s or r o w
, .

I th ink n ow th at I h ave al r ea dy sh ow n a nd p roved

, ,

s u fficien t ly t h a t it is o nly Tr ue B elie f o r R e a so n th at le a d s

u s t o t h e kn o wledge o f g o o d a n d evil And s o wh en we .

.

c o me to p rove th a t Kfiow l e dg e is th e fi rst a n d p rincip a l

ca u se I of al l t h es e p as s i on s it w ill be cle arly m a ni f e s t that
,

if w e use o u r unde rs t a nding a n d R e a so n a rig h t it s h o uld ,

be imp oss ible f or u s e ve r t o fa ll a p rey to one of th e s e

*
p a s si on s w h ic h we o ugh t t o r ej ec t I say our Under
“
.

standing bec a u s e I d o n o t t h ink t h a t R e a s o n a l o ne is c o m

,

pe ten t to f ree us f rom a l l th es e as we shall a fte rw ard s sh ow

in its p ro pe r pl a ce .

We mu st h oweve r n ote h ere a s a n excellen t th ing a b ou t

, ,

th e p ass i on s t h at w e s e e a n d find th a t a l l th e p as s io n s w h ic h
,

I B omi t te d c ause b ut t he word eems t o have be en i nse ted

“
, s r

r ec e nt l y— p e hap s by V an V l ot e n
r as a marg i na l p e nc i l not e
,

sugg es t s .
 Too G O D , M AN, A ND H IS W E LL-BE I N G
ar e goo d are of s uc h kind a n d n atu r e that w e c a nn ot be o r
exi st w i th out th em a n d th a t th ey bel o ng a s it w ere to ou r
, , ,

e ss ence s uch is th e c as e w i th L o ve De si r e and a l l th at , ,

perta in s t o l ove .

B u t th e c a s e is a l t oge t h e r di ff e r en t w i t h t h o s e wh ic h a re
b ad a n d mu st be r ej e c t ed by u s ; s eeing th a t w e c a nn ot
o nly e xi s t ve r y w ell w i th o u t t h e s e b u t eve n t h at o nly t h e n
, ,

w h en w e h a ve fr eed o u rs elve s f ro m th em a r e w e r e a lly w h at ,

w e o ug h t t o be .

To give st ill g r e at er c le a r n e ss t o a l l t h i s it is u s ef ul t o ,

n ote th at th e f ound a t i o n of a l l goo d a nd evil is Love

b estowe d on a c ertain object : f o r if w e d o n o t l o ve t h at o bj ec t
w h ic h ( nota b ene ) a l o n e is w o rth y o f bei ng l oved n a mely , ,

G od a s w e h a ve s a id be for e b u t th i n g s w h ich t h r o ug h
, ,

t h ei r ve r y ch ara c te r a nd n at u r e a r e t ra n s ien t t h e n (s ince ,

th e o bj ec t is li a ble t o s o m a ny a cciden t s a y even t o , ,

a nni h il at i o n ) th e r e nece s s a r ily r e sul ts h a t r ed s or r ow & c , , .

,

a cc or ding t o t h e c h a nge s in t h e o bj ec t l o ved H atr ed .

,

wh e n a ny o n e dep r ive s h im of w h at h e l ove s S orrow .

,

wh en h e h a ppen s t o l o s e it . G l or y w h en h e le a n s o n s el f
,

l ove F a vou r a nd Gra t i t ude wh en h e d o es n ot l ove his

.
,

f ell ow - m a n f or t h e s a ke of G o d .

B u t in c on t ra s t w i t h a l l t h e s e w h en m a n c ome s t o l o ve
, ,

Go d wh o a l way s is a n d r em a in s immu ta ble t h en it is ,

imp ossible f or h im t o f a ll in to t h is w e l t e r of p ass i on s

'

And for th i s reaso n w e s tat e it a s a fixed a nd imm ovable

p rinciple that God is th e fi rst a nd o nly ca u s e of al l our
g ood a n d delive rs u s f r o m a l l our evil .

H ence it is a l so t o be n ot ed l astly th at only L ove &c ,

*
, .
,

30 ar e limi t le s s n a mely th at as it inc r e a s e s m or e a nd m or e

, ,

so a l s o it g r o ws m or e excellen t bec a u s e it is be s tow ed o n

,

a n o bj ec t w h ic h is infini t e a n d c a n t h e r e f or e a l wa y s g o
,

o n inc r e a s ing w h ic h c a n h a ppen in t h e c a s e o f n o ot h e r

,

t h ing excep t t h i s a l o ne . And maybe th i s w ill aft er

, ,
 C HA PTE R XV
O N T H E T R U E A ND T H E FA LS E

LE T u s no w e xa mine fa l se w h i c h indic ate

th e tru e a nd th e ,

t o u s t h e f o u r t h a n d l a s t c o n s equence o f t r ue belie f
, ,
Now .
,,

m o r de r t o d o t h i s w e sh a ll fi r s t s t at e t h e defi n i ti o n s o f
,

Tr u t h a n d F a l s i t y Tr u th is a n a ffi r m at i o n ( o r a deni al )
.

m a de a b o u t a cert a i n th i ng w h i c h a g ree s w i th th at same ,

t h i n g ; a nd F al s i t y is a n affi r m a t i o n ( or a deni a l ) a b o u t a
t h ing w h ic h d o e s n ot a g r ee w i th th e t h ing i ts el f
,
B u t th is .

being s o it may a ppear th at t h e re is n o differ ence be tween

,

th e f a l s e a n d t h e t rue I de a o r s ince t h e [ a ffi r m at i o n or ] , ,

deni a l of th i s or th at are me r e I m o des of th ough t an d ,

[ t h e t r ue a n d t h e f a l s e Ide a ] di ff e r in n o o t h e r w a y II
excep t th at th e on e ag ree s w i th th e th ing a nd th e o th e r ,

d oe s n ot that t h ey a re t h e r e f ore n ot r e a lly b ut o nly

, , ,

l ogica lly III diff e r en t ; a nd if th i s sh ould be so on e may ,

j ustly a sk w h at a d va n tage h as th e one f ro m h is Tru th and

, ,

w h a t h a r m d oe s th e oth e r incu r t h r oug h h is f a l s i t y a nd

h ow s h a ll t h e o ne kn ow t h a t his c o ncep t i o n or Idea a g r ee s

w i th t h e t h ing m or e t h a n t h e ot h e r d o e s ?l a st ly w h ence ,

d o e s it c o me t h at th e o n e e rr s a n d th e o th e r d o e s n ot ? ,

To t h i s it ma y in th e fi r st pl ace s erve a s a n a n sw e r t h at
, ,

th e cle ar e st t h ing s o f a l l m a ke kn ow n b o t h t h em s elve s a nd

I Li teral l y “
ue
tr ,
”
b u t t he t ransl a t or p bl y
rob a mi s took mem s
for vem s .

II I n B t hi s e e e b eg i n fol l w But inc e t he afli ma

s nt nc s as o s : “ s r

i
t on o r deni l of thi s o t h t
a me e I mode of t h oug h t the e
r a a re r s ,
r

s e ms
e t o be no di ff e e nc e b e t ween t he t ue nd t he fal se idea
r r a

exc ep t th at,
”
&c .

I I I d oor r eal m [t hroug h e

r a s on .
]
roz
 O N T H E TR U E AN D T HE FA LS E 1 03

l
a so w h at is f a l se in s uch
,
m a nne r that it w ould be a great
a H
f o lly t o a sk h ow we are to bec o me a w ar e o f t h em : f or ,

s ince t h ey a re s a id to be th e cle a r e s t of a l l th e r e c a n neve r ,

be a ny oth e r clear ne ss through w h ic h th ey might be m ade

clear ; it f oll ow s th er e f ore tha t tr u th at on ce r eve al s itsel f
, ,

a n d a l s o w h a t is f a l s e bec a u s e t r u th is m a de cle a r t h ro ug h
,

t r u th t h a t is t h r ough it s el f a n d t h r o ug h it a l s o is fa l s i ty
, ,

m a de clear ; b ut fal si ty is neve r r eve a led a n d ma de ma ni

f e s t th r o ug h i ts el f S o t h at a ny o n e w h o is in p os s e s si on
.

o f t h e t r u t h c a n n o t d o ub t t h a t h e p o s s e s s e s it w h ile o n e ,

w h o is s unk in f a l s i t y o r in e rro r c a n w ell s upp os e

t h at h e h as g ot at t h e t r u th ; j u s t a s s o me o n e w h o is
dre a ming c a n w ell th ink th at h e is a wake b u t o n e wh o ,

is a c t u a lly a w a ke c a n never t h ink t h a t h e is d r e a ming .

Th e s e r em ar k s al s o expl a i n t o s o me ext en t w h a t w e
s a id a b o u t G o d being t h e Tr u t h or th a t the Truth is God
,

Now th e e
r as o n wh y th e o ne is m or e c o n s ci ou s of h is
t r u th th a n th e oth e r is is bec a u s e t h e I de a o f [ h is ] a ffirma
,

t i o n ( o r deni a l ) en t i r ely a g r ee s w i th t h e n at u r e of th e t h ing ,

a n d c o n s equen t ly h a s m or e e ss e n c e I I t m ay h elp s o me t o
.

gra sp th i s bette r if it be o b s e rved t h at U ndersta nding

( a l th o ug h t h e w o r d d o e s n o t s o und li k e it ) is a mer e o r

pu r e p ass ivi ty ; th at is t hat o ur s oul is ch anged in s uc h a

,

w ay t h a t it r eceive s ot h e r m o de s of t h o ug h t w h ic h it did ,

n ot h a ve be f o r e . No w w h en s o me o ne in c o n s equence o f ,

th e wh o le o bj ec t h a ving a ct ed up o n h im r eceive s c orr e ,

s p o n d in g f or m s or m o de s o f t h o ug h t th en it is cle a r t h a t ,

h e r eceive s a tota lly di ff e r en t f ee l ing of th e f or m o r

c h ara ct e r of th e obj ect th a n d o e s a n oth er wh o h a s n ot
h a d s o m a ny c a u s e s [ a c t ing up o n h im ] a n d is th e r ef or e ,

m oved to m a ke a n affir m at i o n or deni a l a b ou t th at th ing by

I B b ecau e in t he fo me c a e t he I dea of t h
s r r s ffi m ti on e a r a

( r
o de ni al wh i c h e nt i e l y a
) g ees wi t h t he n t u e of the t hi ng h as so
r r a r

muc h mo e essenc e
r .
 1 04 G O D, MAN AN D
,
H IS W E LL-B E IN G
H a differ en t a nd s light er a ct i o n ( bec a u s e h e bec omes awa re
o f it o nly t h r o ug h a f e w o r t h e le ss imp o r t a n t o f it s a tt r i
, ,

b u te s ) I F r o m th i s th en w e s e e th e pe rf ec t i o n of o n e w h o
.
, ,

ta ke s h is s ta nd up o n Tr u t h a s c o n tra s t ed w i th o n e w h o
,

d o es n ot take h is sta nd up on it S ince th e o ne c h a nge s.

e as ily w h ile th e oth e r d o es n ot c h a nge e as ily it f oll ow s

, ,

th e r e f r o m th a t t h e o n e h as m o r e s ta bili t y a n d e ss e n ce th a n
th e o t h e r h a s : like w i s e s ince th e m o de s of t h o ugh t w h ic h
,

a g r ee w i th t h e t h ing h a ve h a d m o r e c a u s e s
[ t o p r o duce
t h em ] th ey h a v e a l s o m or e s t a bili ty a n d e s s ence in th em
a nd ,
s ince t h ey e n t i r ely a gr ee w i t h t h e t h ing it is imp os ,

s ible t h a t t h ey s h o uld a ft e r a t ime be m a de di ff e r en t o r

unde rgo s ome c ha nge al l th e le s s so bec a u s e w e h a ve

,
* *

a l r e a dy s een be f o r e th a t t h e e ss ence o f a t h ing is u nc h a nge

a ble . S uc h is n ot th e c as e w i th fa l s i ty And w ith th es e

.

r em ar ks a l l th e a b o ve que st i o n s w ill be s u ffi cien t ly a n sw e r ed .

I Text i mp e fec t S ee C omme nt y

r . ar .
 1 06 GO D, MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
ll
fi m a ke a ny a ffi rm ati o n o r denia l a b out a th ing w i th ou t some
ext er n a l c au s e c ompelling u s to d o so Now w e h a ve .

a l r e a dy s h ow n t h at a th ing w h ic h is n ot e x l a in e d I
p
th r oug h i ts el f o r w h o s e existenc e d o e s n o t pe r ta in t o its
,

essenc e mu s t nece s s ar ily h ave a n ext e r n a l c a u s e ; a n d t h a t

,

a c a u s e w h ic h is to p ro duce s o me t h ing mu st p r o duce it

nece ssarily it mu st t h e r e fore a l s o fo ll o w t h at e a ch s ep ara te

a c t o f w illing t t h i s o r t h a t e a ch s ep ara t e a c t of a ffi r ming ,

o r denyi n g th i s o r t h at o f a t h i ng t h e s e I s ay mu st a l so , , ,

r e s ul t f r o m s o me e xt e r n a l c a u s e : s o a l s o t h e defini t i on
wh ic h w e h a ve given o f a c au s e is t h at it c a n n ot be ,

f r ee .

Pos s ibly t h i s w ill n ot sa t i s fy s o me w h o are a ccu sto med t o

keep th ei r unders ta nding bu sy w i th th ing s o f R e ason m or e
I B wh ich does not exist .

1 I t is c e r ta i n t hat eac h se p ara t e vol it i on must have an exte n l

‘

r a

c a us e t h ough whi h it c me i nt
r c o s o being ; fo e i ng t hat exi ten e
r, s e s c

d es n t p e t i n t o it e e n e it
o o r a s ss c , s existen e mu t nec es i ly b e due
c s sa r

t o t h exi t nc e f so me t hi g e l e
e s e o n s .

As to th iew t h t t h ffic i nt u e I I th e eof is n t n I de

e V a e e e ca s r o a a

b ut t h e human Wi ll i t l f nd t h t t h U nde st ndi ng i se ,

a c us e a e r a s a a

wi t hou t whi h t h wi l l an d o no t h i ng
c e t h t t he Wil l in it u n
c , so a s

dete mi n d f m nd l o t he Understanding a e not thi ng f

r e or , a a s , r s o

Re n b t
aso e l en t i t i e o f
, u r a I m nc e ned whe nev
s— s I ar a s a co r , er

co nsi d er t he m t t ent i vel y t hey ppe

a t b e u ni ve sal nd I n a ar o r s, a ca

a tt i b ut e no e l i ty t o t h e m
r r aE ve n if it b howeve t i l l it mu t
. e so , r, s s

b e d mi t t d t h t Wil l i ng i modific a tion f t he Wil l nd t hat the

a e a s a o
“

, a

I de e
as a r mod e of t h U nd
a t nd i ng ; t h e U nde st and i ng nd
e e rs a r a

t h Wil l
e e t he f e ne e
ar il y di t i nc t nd e ll y d i ti nc t b
re or c ssa r s ,
a r a s su

s t an e b
c u e [onl y] ub t nc e i m d ifi d nd n t t he m de
s, eca s s s a s o e , a o o

i t el f A the oul i ai d t d i e t t h e t w sub st e it mu t

s . s s s s o r c es o an c s, s

b e a t h i d ub t n c e r sA l l t he e t h i ng
s a e
. o onfu ed t h t it is s s ar s c s a

i mp o si b l e t h ve a c l ea nd d i tinc t onc ep tion b out t hem

s o a r a s c a .

For si nc e t he I dea is not in t he Wi l l b ut in t he U nde st andi ng

, , r ,

and in c onse que nc e of t he rule t hat t he mode of o ne su b tanc e s

c annot p ass over i nt o t he ot he r sub stance l ove cannot ari se in t he ,

t : A t h id ea f t h ffi i t : e o e e c en c au se .
 O N THE WI LL 10 7

t ha n wi th icul a r t h ing s wh ich r e a lly exi st in N atu re ;

Pa r t 1

a nd th ro ug h d o ing so t h ey c o me t o r eg a r d a t h ing o f
, ,

R e as o n n ot I a s suc h b ut as a r e a l t h ing I I F or bec a u s e

,
. .
,

ma n h as n ow t h i s n o w t h at v o li t i o n h e f o r m s in h is s oul a
, ,

gene ra l m ode wh ich h e c a ll s Will j u st as f ro m t h i s man ,

a n d th a t ma n h e a l so f o r m s t h e I de a o f m a m; i l i a nd

beca u s e h e d oe s n ot a dequ a tely di st ingui sh t h e r e al th ings

f r o m th e t h ing s o f R e a son h e c ome s t o r eg ar d th e th i n g s ,

o f R e as o n a s t h ing s w h ic h r e a lly exi st in N a t u r e a nd s o h e ,

r eg a r d s h im s el f a s a c a u s e o f s o me t h ing s Th i s h a ppe n s .

n ot in f r equen t ly in t h e t r e a t men t o f t h e s ubj ec t a b o u t w h ic h

we a re s pe ak ing F or if a ny o n e is a s ked w h y pe o ple

.

w a n t t h i s or t h a t t h e a n sw e r u s u a lly given is bec a u se th ey

, ,

h a ve a w ill B u t s ince t h e Will a s w e h a ve s a id is o nly

.
, , ,

w lli b ec ause to wil l so me thin g when th er e is no idea tha t thing

f
o

in th e wil l ing p ower i n l e el f ont d i t ion vo v s s -c ra c . I f you say t ha t

t h e Wi l l owi ng t it u ni on wi th t h e U nd e t andi ng al so be omes
, o s rs , c

a wa e o f t h at wh i c h t he U nde s t n d i ng un d e sta nd
r n d t hu al o r a r s, a s s

l ve it m y t hi b t si n e w e n ss i al s o
*
o s on , to t t e a re r o s u c a ar e s

a n a p p e h e n sion I I II it is t h
r fo e al o
,
mod e of und e s tand e re r ‘
s a r

ing ; fol l owi ng t h e b ove h weve t h i nn ot b e in t h e Wi l l even

a , o r, s ca ,

if it un ion [wi t h t h Wi l l ] w e l ik e t h t
s f t h e s oul nd b dy
e er a o a o .

Fo up p ose t h t the b dy i uni te d wi t h t h e s ul a t h

r s a o s o ,
s e

p h il o op he s g e ne l l y m i
rs nt i n n t h
rae b o dy n ev feel noa a ,
e ve so er s, r

d e t he oul b e o me e xt e nde d IIIII

o s s c When t h ey s y t h t t he S ul . . a a o

di ec ts b ot h t h U nde t nd i ng nd th Wi l l t h i i not nly

r e rs a a e , s s o

i n on ei v bl e b t e en el f nt d ic t o y b u e by ying o
c c a , u v s -c o ra r ,
*
ec a s sa s

t hey ee m t s deny t ha t t he wil l is f ee wh i c h is op p osed t o t hei

o r , r

I B no mo e r .

I I B c ont i nue
: a nd t hu s ega d t he msel ves
s : th c au e of r r as e s

some t h i ng s s h p p en n ot i nf eque nt l y in t h e ma t t e a b out wh i h

a a s r r c

we ear t p e ent sp e ki ng
a r s a .

II I B c ont i nue if t he n t he que st ion i a ked wh y pe0 p 1e want

s s s ,

t hi s or t hat t hey a nswe ,

r

III A : a n a p p re h e nsion [ or c once p t ion a nd a c onf u se d id ea .

31111: A c ont i nu es : For t h e n a C hime ra in , wh i ch we c onc e ve i t wo s ub

s t anc e s mig ht b ec ome one ; t h i s is f al se

, .
 10 8 G O D , M AN, AND H IS WE LL-B E I N G
N an Idea of o ur w illing t h i s o r t ha t a nd th e re fo r e o nly a ,

m ode of th oug ht a th i ng o f R e ason a n d not a r ea l t h ing

, , ,

n oth ing c a n be c a u s ed by it ; f or out of n oth ing n oth i n g ,

c o mes And s o a s w e h ave s h ow n t hat th e w ill is n ot a

.
,

t h ing in N at u r e b u t o n ly in f a ncy I a l s o t h ink it u n n e c e s

, ,

s a ry t o a s k w h e th e r t h e w ill is f r ee o r n o t f r ee .

I say th i s not [o nly] of w ill in gene ra l w h ich w e h ave ,

s h o w n t o be a m o de o f t h o ug h t b u t a l so o f t h e p a r t icul a r ,

a c t o f w illi n g t h i s o r t h a t w h i c h a c t o f w illing s o me h a ve ,

iden tified w i th a ffi rm a t i o n a nd deni a l Now th i s sh ould .

be cle arly eviden t to every one wh o o nly a tt end s to wh at

w e h a ve a l r e a dy s a id F o r w e h a ve s a id I th at th e unde r
.

view . But t o c onc l u d e I have no i n c l i nat i on t o ad duc e l l my

, , a

ob j e t i oc n g i n t s a a
p i t i n g a e s t d fi n i
os t e ub ta nc e I s h l l o nl
cr a ey s s . a

s h ow b i fly t h t t h Fr e d m f t h Wi l l does not in ny way

a e re e o o e a

ac c o d wi t h
r uc h n e ndu i ng c e t i n ; namel y t h t t he s me
s a r r a o , a a

ac t i i ty I I i
v qui ed f G d in de to mai nt ai n
s re r o t h i ng o in or r
*
a
"

exi t e n e t
s c ast e it nd t h t
o c re a t h e wi se t he t h i ng oul d not l
,
a t a o r c as

for a mom nt ; thi e i o n t hi ng c n b e a t t i b uted t o it III

as s s s , o a r .

B t w mu t
u e y th t G d hs sa e t ed it j u t as it i ; fo
a o it
as c r a s s r as

h as no p owe t m i nt i n it el f in exi te nc e wh i l e it exist muc h

r o a a s s s,

le ss, t he n n it p , du
ca o met h i ng b y i t
ro lf I f t h e ef e
ce s ny se .
,
r or ,
a

o ne h ul d
s o y t h t t he sa ul p oduc e t he v l it i on f m i t el f t h n
a so r s o ro s ,
e

I as k by wh t p ow ? Not b y t h t wh i h h
,
a er been fo it i n a c as ,
r s o

m e; l
or n t b y t h t wh i h it h s now fo
a so o a it h n on e ct ll a ,
r as a a

wh e re by it might exi t o l t f ing l e moment b e c u e it i

s r as or a s , a s s

co nt i u u l y
n o t d s n w Th u t h n
c re a e at he i n t h i ng t h t
e . s, e , as re s o a

h as ny p owe
a t m int in i t el f o t o p oduc e nyt h i ng t h e
r o a a s , r r a ,
er

r em i n n thi ng b t t o n l ud t h t God l one t he efo e i n d

a s o u co c e a a , r r ,
s a

30 mu t b e t h
s ffi i n t e e u of l l t h ing nd t hat al l c t of V l it ion
c e ca se a s, a a s o

a re d t e mi n d by him
e r e l ne a o .
*

I I n B thi p g p h b g i n t hu
s a ra ra Now in o de t o u nde tand
e s s r r rs

whet he w r e lly f
e a re not f e in
r a ny p t i ul
re e , t or f re a ar c ar ac o

wi l l i ng t h t i ,
f ffi mi ng o d yi ng t h i s o t h t we mu t e l l
a s o a r r en r a ,
s r ca

t o o u me mo y wh t w h ave l e dy
r r a id n mel ye a r a sa , a ,

11 B : h d i g su c ti an e n t h y d mit ; f
ur n if d th
c rea on a s e a or , o ne a n e
sa m t i it y
e ac v

II I B th i i
: as l it y s b t t ib t d t t h t h i g
s so, no ca u sa ca n e a r u e o e n .
 MAN, A ND H IS W E LL-B E I N G
‘

GO D ,

x t h e r e of , I be it true or f a l se f a l s i ty a r i s i n g th u s n a mely ,
‘
,

becau se wh e n w e h appen t o kn ow somet h ing or a p art

,

of a n o bj ec t w e i m a gine II th a t t h e o bj ec t ( a l t h o ug h w e o nly
,

k n ow very li tt le of it) neve rth eless affirm s or de n ies th at of

i t s el f as a w h ole ; t h is t a ke s pla ce m ost ly in f eeble soul s ,

w h ic h r eceive ve r y e a s ily a m o de o r I II a n ide a t h r o ugh a

slig h t a c t i o n of t h e o bjec t an d m a ke n o f u rth e r aflir matio n ,

o r deni a l a p a r t fr o m th i s .

La stly it migh t a l so be o bj ect ed t h at t h e r e a re m a ny

,

th i n gs wh ic h w e so me time s w a n t a nd [ s o me times a l so]

d o n ot w a n t I I II a s f or exa mple t o a ss e r t so me t h i n g a b o u t
, , ,

a t h i n g o r n o t t o a s s e r t it t o s pe a k th e t r u t h a n d n o t t o , ,

s pe a k it a n d s o f o r th
.
,
B u t t h i s r e s ul t s f r o m t h e f a c t t h a t
.

De s i r e is n ot a de q ua tely dist ingui sh d f r o m Will I I II I e .

F o r t h e Will a cc or ding t o t h os e w h o m a in t a i n t h a t t h e r e is
,

a Will is o nly t h e a c t ivi t y of t h e unde r st a nding w h e r eby

,

w e a ffir m o r deny s o me t h ing a b o u t a t h ing w i th r ega r d t o ,

g oo d o r evil Des i re h o w ever is th e di sp os i ti on of th e s o ul

.
, ,

t o o b ta in or t o d o so me t h ing f o r t h e sa ke of t h e g o o d or evil
th a t is di s cer n e d t h e r ei n so t h a t eve n a f t e r w e h a ve m a de .

a n a ffi r m a t i o n o r deni a l a b o u t t h e t h ing De s i r e s t ill r em a in s

n a mely w h en w e h a ve a s ce r t a ined o r a ffi rm
, ,

,
ed th at th e th ing
I A t he ca ue s of bu
t hat a o t wh c h s om t h ng i e i i ffi med s a r

or de n ie d ; B the c a u s e o f our a ffir mat ion or d e n i l t he e f

a r o ,

I I B c on t i nues t hat t h e whol e is suc h ; s a s t hi t ke p l e ac

I II B o mi t s a mode or
“ ”
.

II II B c ont i nues : or ab out wh ic h we [ some t i mes] ass e r t so m e

i
t h ng , and [ e t i mes ] do n ot s e t it
s om a s r

I II II B ont i nue a fol l w Fo c l t houg h t hey s b t h ors o s : r, a ar e o

t he m n ffi m t i on r d en i l f
a a rt h i ng t h y ne e t h l e s d iffe in
a o a o a , e v r e s r

t hi t h t th l
s a t o cu wi thout g a d nd t he fi t wi th fe e nc e
e as c rs re r , a rs re r ,

t t he g o d o evi l wh i c h i d i c e ned in t h t hi ng
o o r th t e n s s r e : so a ,
ve

a ft e we h
r m d t he ffi m t i n
ave d e ni l
a b ut t h t hi ng t h e
e a r a o or a a o e ,

D e i e it l f r m in
s r se m ly t b t in o to d
e a wh t we h e
s, na e , o o a r o a av

a sc e t i ne d
r a ffi m d t b g dor a t h t th rWil l m y w l l exi t
e o e oo , so a e a e s

wi t h ut t h D e i e b u t not t he D i e wi t h out h Wi l l
o e s r , es r t e .
 O N THE WI LL I I I

is goo d ; s uch is t h e Will a cc or ding to th ei r statemen ts

, ,

w h ile de s i r e is th e inclin at i o n w h ic h w e o nly s ub s equen t ly

,

f eel t o a d va nce it— s o t h at even a cc or di n g t o t h eir o w n

, ,

s ta t emen t s
, th e Will ma y w ell e xi st w i th o u t t h e De si r e ,

b u t n ot t h e De s i r e w i t h o u t t h e Will w h ic h mu st h ave
,

p r eceded it .

All t h e a ctivi t ie s th er e for e w h ic h w e h a v e di s cu ss ed

, ,

a b ov e ( s ince t h ey a r e c arr ied ou t th ro ug h R e as o n unde r t h e

a ppe a r a n c e o f g o o d o r ar e h inde r ed by R e a s o n unde r t h e

,

a ppe a ra nce o f evil ) c a n o nly be s ub s umed unde r t h a t in c l i

na t i o n w h ic h is c a lled De si r e a n d by n o me a n s under the

,

de s ign ation of Will w h ich is a l toge th e r in a pp rop r i at e

, .
 C HA PTE R XVI I
O N T H E D IS T I NC TI O N BE T WE E N WI LL
A ND D E S I R E

NO W th at it is k n ow n t h at w e h av e n o fr ee w ill t o m a ke *

a n a ffi r m a ti o n o r a deni a l l e t u s ju st s e e wh a t is th e c o rr ec t
,

a n d t r ue di s t i n c t i o n be t w een wil l a n d deszre o r w h a t ma y ,

th e Will be w h ic h wa s c a lled by t h e L a t i n s vol unta s I .

Acc or di ng t o A ri stot le s defin i t i o n De s ir e a ppear s t o

’

be a genu s c o n ta ini n g t w o s pecie s F o r h e s ays th a t th e .

Wil l is th e l onging o r i n cli n a t i o n w h ic h o ne f eel s tow ar d s

t h a t w h ic h is o r s eem s g oo d Wh ence it a ppe ar s to me
.

t h at by De s i r e (or c u piditas ) h e me a n s a n y i n c lin a t i on be it ,

t o w ar d s g oo d be it t o w a r d s e vil
,
b u t w h en t h e i n cli n a t i on
is o nly t ow ar d s w h a t is or a ppe a r s t o be g o o d or w h e n ,

t h e m a n w h o h a s s uc h i n cli n a t i o n h a s it u n de r th e ,

a ppe a ra n ce o f g oo d t h e n h e c a ll s it vol u nta s o r g o o d w i l l ;

,

w h ile if it is b a d t h a t is w h e n w e o b s e r v e in a n oth e r a n
, , ,

i n c li n at i o n t o w ar d s s o meth i n g w h ic h is b a d I I h e ca ll s th at ,

vol u p ta s or b a d w ill S o t h a t t h e i n c li n a t i o n o f th e s o ul is
.

n ot s o me t h i n g w h e r eby a ffi r m a t i o n s o r de n i a l s a r e m a de ,

b u t on ly a n i n c li n at i o n t o o b ta in so me th i n g w h i c h a ppe a rs
t o be g oo d a n d I I I t o flee f r o m wh a t appe a rs t o be b a d
, .

I t th e r e f or e r em a i n s t o i n q ui r e n o w w h e t h e r t h e De s i r e
, ,

is f r ee o r n ot f r ee I n a ddi t i o n t o w h a t w e h av e a l r e a dy
.

s a id n a mely tha t D esire dep en ds on t he idea of its ob j ects and

, , ,

tha t this u nderstan din g mu st ha ve a n external c ause a n d in ,

a ddi t i on a l so t o w h a t w e h a v e s a id a b o u t t h e w ill it s t ill ,

I B dd a s :o g o d wil lr o .

II B n d if on t h
a ,on t y it i b d t oward evil
e c ra r , s a , or s

II I B or .
 1 14 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL -B E IN G
M b u t this and that Vol ition,l ma n h a s n o oth e r t ha n this
s o a so

a nd tha t D esire w h ic h is c a u s ed by t h i s a n d th a t ide a ; I

De s i r e [ in th e a b stra c t] is not a n y th ing a c tu a lly e xi s t ing in

N a t u r e b u t is on ly a n ab stra c t i o n f ro m th e p articul ar a c ts
,

o f de s i r ing t h i s o r th a t D esire t h en a s it is n ot r e a lly a ny

.
, ,

t h in g c a n a l so n ot r e a lly c a u s e a ny t h ing
,
S o t h a t w h en w e .

s ay t h a t D e sire is f r ee it is j u s t a s muc h a s if w e s a id t h at
,

this or that De s i r e is it s ow n c a u s e — th a t is th at be f or e it ,

exi s t ed it h a d a l r e a dy a rra nged t h a t it s h o uld exi st w h ic h

is a b s u r di t y i t s el f a nd c a nn ot be
,
.

I B c onc l udes thi c h s ap t e r as fol l ows : If th en we say t hat D eie

s r

is fr ee it i
, s j ust a if w
h d si d t h t th i o th t D e i e i t h
e a sa a s r a s r s e

c u e of i t el f
a nd l dy b ef o e it exi t ed h d b oug h t it ab out ‘

s s ,
a ,
a re a r s ,
a r

t h t it
a h ul d exi t
s o wh i h i sb u di ty i t e l f nd i i mp o ibl e
: c s a s r s a s ss .

A n d D i e e g ded
es r , r u i e s l b i ng n ot hi ng b ut n b t e
ar as a n v r a , e a a s ra

t i n f om t h p t i u l
o r e t of d e i i g t h i s o t h t
ar c ar ac s n d b ey nd s r n r a ,
a , o

thi s, n ot tu l l y exi st i ng in N t u e
ac a n a uc h al so use a r , ca , s s , ca

n ot h i ng .
 C HA PT E R XVI I I
O N TH E USES O F TH E FO R E GO I NG
T HU S w e se e n ow bei ng a p art of the whol e of
th a t m a n ,
Nature o n w h ich h e depend s a n d by w h ich a l so h e is
, ,

gove r n ed c a n n ot o f h im s el f d o a ny th ing f or h is h a ppine ss

,

a n d w ell -bei n g ; l e t u s t h e n ju s t s e e w h a t U s e s w e c a n
, ,

de r i v e fr om t h e s e p r o p os i t i o n s of o u rs And th i s [ is ] a l l .

t h e m or e [ nece ssary ] bec a u s e w e h a ve n o d o ub t th a t t h ey

w ill a ppe a r n ot a li ttle off en s ive t o s o me .

In th e fi r st pl a ce it f oll ow s th e r e fr o m th at w e a r e t ruly
,

s er va n t s ,
a ye s l a ve s
,
of G o d a n d t h at it is o u r gr e a t e s t
, ,

pe rf ect i o n t o be s uch nece s sa r ily F or if w e w er e t h ro w n .

,

ba c k up o n ou rs elve s a nd th u s n ot depe n de n t o n G od w e
, ,

s h o uld be a ble t o a cc o mpli s h ve r y li t t le o r n o t h i n g a nd , ,

t h a t w o uld ju s tly give u s c a u s e t o l a men t o u r l o t e speci ally

s o in c o n t ras t w i th wh a t w e n o w s e e n a mely th a t w e a r e , ,

depe n den t on th at w h ic h is th e m os t pe rf ec t o f al l in s uch ,

a w a y t h a t w e exi s t a l s o a s a p a r t o f t h e w h o le t h a t is o f ,
,

h im ; a n d w e c o n t r ibu t e s o t o s a y a l s o o u r s h a r e t o t h e
,
.

r e a li s a t i o n o f s o m a n y s k il f ully o r de r ed a n d pe r f ec t w ork s
,

w h i c h depe n d o n h im I .

S ec o n dly t h i s k n o w ledge b r i n g s it a b o u t t h a t w e d o n o t
,

g r ow p r o ud w h e n we h ave a c c o m pli sh ed s o m e th i n g exc el

le n t ( wh i c h p r ide c a u s e s u s t o c o me t o a sta n d st ill bec a u s e ,

I B e b e u e we d ep nd t h t wh i h i t h
I n t h e firs t p l a c , ca s e on a c s e

u
mos t p e r fe c t of al l , in s c hw y t h t be i ng l p t of t h a a a , a so a ar e

wh ol e t h t i t i b ut e ou h e t o t he ea l i t i n
.

, f him w
a l
s, o , e a s o c on r r s ar r sa o

of so m ny ki l ful l y
a d e ed nd p fe t wo k wh i c h d ep end on
s or r a er c r s,

him it f ol l w t h
, fo e t h t w
o s e re G d
r e v nt nd th t it i
a e a re o
’
s s r a s, a a s
]

ou g
r t t p e f ti n t
re a e s b uc h n e i l y
r ec o o e s ec ssa r .

1 1 5
 1 16 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E L L -B E I N G
H w e th ink th at w e are a l r e a dy gr e a t a nd th at w e n eed d o ,

n o t h i n g f u r t h er ; t h e r eby mili t a t i n g p r eci s ely a g a i n st o u r

o w n pe r f ec t i o n w h ic h c o n s i s ts in t h i s— t h a t w e mu st a t a l l
,

t ime s ende a v o u r t o a dva n c e f u r th e a n d f u r th e r ) b u t th a t r ,

o n t h e c o n tra r y w e a tt r ibu t e a l l t h a t w e d o t o G o d w h o is
, ,

t h e fir s t a n d o nly c a u s e o f a l l t h a t w e a cc o mpli s h a nd

s ucceed in e ff ec t i n g .

Th i r dly in a ddi t i on t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s k n o w ledge

,

i ns pi e s u s w it h a r e a l l ove of ou r neigh b ou r it sh a pe s u s
r ,

so t h a t w e n e v e r h a t e h im n o r a r e w e a n g r y w i t h h im b u t
, ,

l ov e t o h elp h im a n d to imp r o ve h is c o n di ti o n All t h e s e

,
.

a r e t h e a c t i o n s o f s u c h men as h a ve g r e a t per f e c t i o n o r

e ss e n ce .

F o u rt h ly t h i s k n o w ledge a l s o s e rve s t o p r om ot e t h e
,

g r e at est C o mmo n Goo d bec au s e th r o ugh it a j udge c a n ,

n eve r s ide w i th o n e p a r ty m o r e t h a n w i t h t h e o t h e r a n d ,

w h e n c o m pelled t o pu n i s h t h e o n e a n d t o r e w ar d t h e ot h e r , ,

h e w ill d o it w i t h a vie w t o h elp a n d t o imp r o v e th e o n e a s

muc h a s th e o th er .

Fi f th ly t h i s kn owledge free s u s f r om S o rr ow f r om
, ,

De s p a i r f r o m E n vy fro m T e rr or a nd oth e r e vil p ass i on s

, , , ,

w h i c h a s w e s h a ll p r e s en t ly sa y c o n s t i t u t e t h e r e a l h ell
, ,

i tsel f
.

S i xth ly I th i s k n ow ledge br ing s u s so f ar t h at w e ce a s e

,

t o s t a n d in a w e o f G o d a s o t h e r s d o o f t h e Dev il ( w h o m
,

t h ey im a gi n e ) le s t h e s h o uld d o t h em h ar m
, F or w h y .

i n deed s h o uld w e f e ar G o d w h o 8 t h e h igh e s t goo d i ts el f ,

1 ,

th r o ug h w h o m a l l t h i n g s a r e w h a t t h ey ar e a n d a l s o w e ,

w h o li v e in h im
S e v e n th l y th i s k n ow ledge a l s o b r ing s u s so f a r t h at w e
at
,

a ttr ibu t e a l l t o G o d l o v e h im a l o n e be c a u s e h e is t h e m o s t
,

gl or i ou s a nd th e m o st pe rf e c t a nd th u s off e r o u rs elves up ,

en t i r ely t o h im ; f or th e s e r ea lly c o n s t i tu te b ot h th e t rue

s e r vice of G o d a n d o u r o w n e t e r n a l h a ppine s s a n d bli s s .

I A add s : a nd l a st l y .
 C HA PTE R XIX
O N O U R H A PP IN E S S
NO W t h a t w e h a ve een th e a dvan tage s of th i s Tr ue B elie f
s ,

w e sh a ll ende av o u r to f ulfil t h e p r omi s e w e h a ve m a de ,

n a mely to i n q ui r e w h eth e r through th e kn ow ledge wh ich

,

w e a l r e a dy h av e ( as t o w h at is g o od wh a t is evil w h at t u th , ,
r

is a n d w h a t fa l s i ty is a n d w h a t in gene ra l th e u s e s o f a l l
, , , ,

t h e s e are ) w h et h e r I s a y w e c a n th e r eby atta i n t o o u r w ell

, , ,

being n a mely th e L ove of G od ( w h ic h w e h a ve r em ar ked to

, ,

be ou r s up r eme h appine ss ) a nd a l so in wh at w ay w e c an fr ee ,

o u rs elve s f r o m t h e p a ss i o n s w h ic h w e h a ve j udged t o be b a d .

T o begi n w i th th e c o n s ide ra t i o n of t h e l a st n a mely of th e , ,

liberati on f rom th e p ass i o n s 1 I s ay th at if w e s upp os e that ,

'

t h ey h a ve n o o th er c a u s e s th a n th os e w h ich w e h ave a s s igned

t o t h em t h en p r o vided o nly w e u s e o u r unde r sta nding
, ,

a r igh t a s w e c a n d o ve r y e a s il t t h e h a ve a
, y ( n o w t a t w

1 Al l p a ssi ons wh i ch c o me in c o nfl c t i
w t h g oo i
R e a son ( a s is d
‘

sho wn a b ov
i e f om O p i ni n
e
) ar s r d e o . A l l t hat is g oo or b a d in t h m ,
is h wn t
s o u b y T ue B l i f ; t he e h weve - b ot h o e i t h
o s r e of e s , o r , r er

t he t w — o n ot bl t f
a re f m t h em a It i
e nl y t h
o t hi d
re e us ro . s o e r

kind n m l y T ue Knowl edg t h t e m n i p t e f om t hem A nd

, a e , r e , a a c a s r .

wi th u t t h i it i i mp
o i b l e t h t w houl d eve be e t f ee f m
s s oss a e s r s r ro

t he m s wi l l b e sh wn sub equen t l y
, a
( p g e 3 o M i g h t n t thi s a 1 o s

wel l b t h t b out wh i h t h ug h u nd
e a a d i ff e en t d e ig n t i on ot h
c , o er r s a s, e rs

sa y nd w i t e
a mu h ? Fo wh d e n t
r so c h w nv n ie n t l yr o o s o se e o co e

w n i nt e p e t
e ca p i ni n r in b el i f
r o t h l w wh i h m ke s in
o as s e ,
as e a c a s

kn wn nd t u kn wl dg
o a gr e w h i
e h d eom ef m in ?
e , as r ac c re e s us ro s

It C n d e y e i l y ; t h t i t s y wh n w h ve t h ugh
a o v r as a s o a , e e a a or o

kn wl dg f g od nd vi l f t h n it i i mp o i b l e t b ubj e t
o e e o o a e or e s ss o e s c

to th t f a m wh i h t h p
ro ion i e b e u e wh n w know nd
c e as s s ar s : ca s e e a

enj oy wh t is b e t t h t whic h i w t h s n p owe ove us

a s , a s or s a o r r .

1 18
 O N O UR HA P P I N E S S 1 19

c r i t e r i on of tr thu a nd fa l s i ty ) ,
we sha ll n ever fa ll i nto m
t h em .

B u t w h at w e h a
‘

ve n ow t o p rove is th at th ey h ave n o ot h er
ca u se s f or th i s meth i n ks it is r equi r ed t h at w e sh ould
, ,

s t udy o u r s el v e s in o u r e n t i r e t y h av i n g r eg ar d t o t h e b o dy ,

a s w ell a s t o t h e s pi r i t .

A n d fi rst [ w e h a ve ] t o sh o w t h at in N atu r e t h e r e is a b o dy
t h r ough w h o s e f o r m a n d a c t ivi t ie s w e ar e a ff ec t ed a nd t h u s ,

bec o me a war e of it An d th e r easo n w h y w e d o t h i s is

.
,

bec a u s e w h en w e g e t a n in s igh t in t o th e a c t ivi t ies of th e

b ody a n d th e e ff ects w h ic h th ey p ro duce th en w e s h all a l so ,

di sc ove r th e fi r st a nd f or emost c a u s e o f a l l thos e p a s si o n s ;

a nd ,
at t h e sa me t ime a l s o th a t t h r o ug h wh ic h a l l t h os e
,

p a ss i o n s migh t be a nnih ila t ed Fr o m t h i s w e sh a ll t h en a l so

.

be able to s e e w h eth e r it is p ossible t o d o s uc h a th ing by th e

a id o f R e as o n .And th en w e sh all a l s o p r o ceed t o s pea k
a b o u t o u r L o ve o f G o d .

Now t o p r o ve th a t th e r e is a b o dy in N a t u r e c a n be n o ,

di fficul t ta s k f or u s n ow t hat w e a l r e a dy kn ow that Go d is

, ,

a n d what G o d is w h o m w e h av e defi n ed a s a bei n g of

infini t e a ttr ibu t e s e a c h of wh ich is infinit e a nd perf e c t And
,
.

s ince ext en s i o n is a n a ttr ibu t e w h ic h w e h av e sh o w n t o be

infini te in it s kind it mu st t h e re for e a l so n ece ssar ily be a n

,

a tt r ibu t e o f t h a t i n fini t e being And a s w e h ave a l s o a l r e a dy

.

dem o n st rat ed t h at th i s i nfini t e bein g exists it f o ll o ws a t o nce ,

t h a t th i s a t t r ibu t e a l s o exi s t s .

M or e over s ince w e h a ve a l so proved th a t o u tside N atu r e

, ,

w h ic h is infini t e t h e r e is a n d c a n be n o being it is cle ar ly

, , , ,

m ani f e st th at th is e ff ect of b o dy th r o ugh w h ich w e

beco me a wa r e [ o f it ] c a n pro ceed f rom n o th ing el s e th a n
f r o m exten s i o n i t s el f a n d by n o me a n s f r o m s o me th i n g el s e
,

w h ic h ( a s so me w ill h a ve it) h a s ext e n s i o n in a n e m in e nt .

degr ee [ eminenter] I f or ( as w e h av e a l r e a dy sh ow n in t h e
fi rst c h a pt e r) t h er e is n o s uch t h ing .

I B whi h i m e ex e l l ent t han ext ensi on

c s or c .
1 20 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL -B E I N G
We ha ve t o r em ark t h er e f or e th at a l l t h e e ff ec ts w h ich
, ,

a r e s ee n t o depe n d n e c e s s a r ily o n e xt en s i o n mu st be a t t r i

bu t ed to t h i s a tt ibu t e ; s u c h as M ot i o n a n d R es t F or if
r .

t h e p ow e r t o p r o duce t h e s e did n ot e xi st in N a t u r e t h en ( ev e n ,

th o ug h it [ N a t u r e] migh t h a ve m a n y o th e r a tt r ibut e s ) it w o uld

be i m p ossible th a t t h e s e sh o uld exi st F or if a t h i n g is t o .

p r o duce some th i n g th en th er e mu st be t h at in it t h r o ugh

w h i c h it r a th e r t h a n a n oth e r c a n p r o du c e t h a t s o me th ing
, ,
.

Wh at w e h ave j u s t s a id h er e a b o u t exten s i on t h e sa me ,

w e a l s o w i s h t o be r eg a r ded a s t h o ug h it h a d been s a id a b o u t
t h o ug h t a n d f u r th e
,
a b o u t a l l t h a t is
r .

I t is t o be ob s e r v ed f u r th e r th a t t h e r e is n oth ing w h at ,

ever in u s b u t w e h a ve th e p ow e r t o bec ome a w ar e of it

,

s o t h a t if w e fin d t h a t t h e r e is n ot h i n g el s e in u s exc ep t t h e

e ff ect s o f th e th inki n g th ing a n d th o s e of ext en s i o n th en ,

w e m ay s a y w i t h ce r t a i n ty t h at th e r e is n oth i n g el s e in u s .

In o r der th at th e w o k i n gs o f b oth th e s e m ay be cle arly

r

u n de s too d w e s h all t a k e th em up firs t e a ch by i ts el f o n ly

r , ,

a n d a f t e r w a r d s b o th t oge t h e r ; a s a l s o t h e e ff ec ts o f b o th

t h e o n e a n d t h e ot h e r .

Now w h e n w e c o n s ide r ext e n s i o n a l on e t h e n w e bec o me ,

a w a r e o f n o t h ing el s e in it e xcep t M o t i o n a n d R e s t f r o m ,

wh ic h w e t h e n di s c o v e r a l l t h e e ff ec ts t h a t r e s ul t th e r e
f ro m . An d t h e s e t w o 1 m o de s o f b o dy a r e s uc h t h a t it
'

i s i m p oss ible f o r a n
y oth e r t h i n g t o c h a n ge t h em e xcep t ,

o n ly t h em s el v e s Th u s f o r e xa m ple w h e n a s t o n e lie s st ill

.
, , ,

t h e n it is i m p o ss ib l e t h a t it s h o uld be m ov ed by th e p o w e r
o f t h o ug h t o r a ny t h i n g el s e b u t
[ t m ay ] w ell [ be m oved ]
i ,

by m ot i on I a s w h e n a noth er ston e h av ing g r e at e r m ot i o n

, ,

th a n th i s h a s e st m a ke s it m o ve
r ,
Like w i s e a l s o t h e m ov ing .

s t o n e w ill n o t be m a de t o r e s t excep t t h ro ug h s o me th ing

el s e wh ich h as le ss m ot i o n I t f o ll ow s a ccor di ngly th a t n o.

, ,

m ode of th ough t c a n b i n g m ot i on or r e st i n to a b o dy In
r .

1 T w m de
‘

obe u R e t i not Nothing

o s : ca se s s .

I B b y t h mot i n of m t h i ng l
e o so e e se .
 1 22 GO D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G
H n amely th e s o ul in i th e b o dy a s h as a l r e a dy been r em arked
, , ,

c a n w ell b r ing it a b o u t t h a t t h e [ vi t a l ] s pi r i t s w h ic h w o uld ,

o t h e r w i s e m ov e i n t h e o n e di r ec t i o n s h o uld n e v e r t h ele s s ,

m ov e in t h e o t h e r di r ec t i o n a n d s i n ce t h e s e [ vi t a l ] s pi r i t s
c a n a l s o be m a de t o m o ve a n d t h e r ef o r e di r ec t ed by t h e
, ,

b o dy it may fr eq ue nt ly h a ppe n th at w h e n th e b o dy dir ec ts

, ,

th ei r m ov emen ts t o w a r d s o n e pl a ce w h ile th e s o ul di r ec ts ,

t h em t o w ar d s a n ot h e r pl a ce t h ey b r ing a b ou t a n d o cca s i o n
,

in u s th o s e peculi a r fits of dep r e s s i o n w h ic h w e s o me t ime s

f eel w i t h o u t k n o w i n g t h e r e as o n s w h y w e h a ve t h em Fo r .

o t h e r w i s e t h e r e a s o n s a r e gene r a lly w ell kn o w n t o u s .

Fu rth er m or e t h e p ow er wh ich th e s oul h as t o m ove th e

,

[ vi ta l ] s pi r i t s m a y w ell be h inde red a l so ei th e r bec au s e th e

m oti o n o f th e [ vi ta l ] s pi r i ts is muc h dimini sh ed o r beca u s e ,

it is muc h in c r e a s ed Dimini sh ed as wh en h aving ru n

.
, ,

much w e b r ing it a b ou t th at t h e [ v ita l ] S pi r i ts ow ing t o

, ,

t h i s r u n n i n g i mp ar t t o t h e b o dy muc h m o e th a n t h e u s u a l
,
r

a m o u n t o f m ot io n I I a n d by l o s ing t h i s [ m o t i o n ] t h ey a r e
,

nece ssa r ily t h at much w ea kened ; t h i s m ay al s o h a ppen

t h r o ugh t a ki n g a l l t oo li tt le f oo d I n cr e as ed as w h e n by
.
, ,

drin k i ng t oo muc h w ine or oth er stro ng dr i n k w e th er eby ,

bec o m e ei t h e r me rry or d r u n k a n d b r ing it a b ou t t hat t h e

,

s o ul h a s n o p o w e r t o c o n t r o l t h e b o dy .

H a vi ng s a id t h u s muc h a b o u t th e influence s w h ich t h e

s o ul e xe r ci s e s on t h e b o dy l e t u s n o w c o n s ide r th e i n fluence s
,

o f t h e b o dy o n t h e s o ul Th e m o st imp or ta n t of t h e s e w e
.
,

ma i nta i n is t h at it c a u s e s t h e s o ul t o bec o me a w a r e o f it
, ,

a n d t h r o ugh it a l s o o f o th e r b o die s Th i s is eff ec t ed by .

M ot i on a nd R est c onj o i n tly a nd by n oth i ng el s e : f or th e

,

b o dy h a s n ot h i n g el s e th a n th es e wh e r e w i th to o pe rat e s o
t h a t w h a t eve r el s e c o me s t o t h e s oul be s ide s t h i s aw ar e ,

n e ss c a nn ot be c a u s ed t h r oug h t h e b o dy
, And a s th e fi rs t .

I A and B : t he ul d t he b dy
so an o .

II B c ont i nu e s t hu in wh i h t hey
s : c had a s t rong in— a nd

t h ro ug h— flo w wh i h we ke ne d t he m
c a .
 O N O UR HA P P I N E S S 1 23

th ing w h ic h th e s oul gets t o kn o w is th e b ody th e re sul t is ,

t h at th e s o ul l o ve s it s o a n d bec o me s uni t ed w i t h it B ut
, .

s ince a s w e h a v e a l r e a dy s a id be f or e
,
th e c a u s e of L ove , ,

H atr ed a n d S orr ow mu st n ot be s o ug ht for in th e b ody b u t

,

o nly in t h e s o ul ( be c a u s e a l l t h e a c t ivi t ie s o f t h e b o dy mu s t

p ro ceed fro m m ot i on and r e st) a n d s i n ce w e s e e clea rly a nd ,

di sti n c tly that o ne l ove c o mes t o a n e n d a s so on a s w e c ome

t o k n ow s ome t h ing el s e t h a t is be t t e r it f o ll ow s cle a r ly f ro m ,

a l l t h i s t h a t I f onc e we g et to know God a t l ea st with a kn ow

, ,

l edg e a s c l ea r a s that with whic h we al s o kn ow our b ody, the n

we mu st b ec ome unite d with him even more c l osel y tha n we a re

with ou r b ody, a nd from the b ody I

b e, as it were, r el e a s e d .

s ay mor e c l osel y bec a u s e w e h a ve a l r e a dy p r o ved be f o r e t h a t

,

w i th o ut him w e c a n n ei th er be n or be k n ow n a n d t h i s is ,

s o bec a u s e w e k n o w a n d mu s t k n ow h im n ot t h r o ugh s o me ,

t h ing el s e a s is t h e c a s e w i th a l l ot h er th i n gs b u t o nly
, ,

t hro ug h h im s el f a s w e h a ve a l r e a dy s a id be f o r e
,
Indeed .
,

w e k n ow h im be tt er even t h a n w e k n ow o u r s elve s bec a u s e ,

w i t h o ut h im w e c o uld n ot kn ow o u r s el v e s a t a l l .

F ro m w h at w e h a ve sa id so fa r it is e as ily ga th e r ed w h ich
a re t h e c h ie f c a u s e s o f t h e p a s s i on s F or a s r egar d s t h e .
,

B o dy w it h its e ff ec t s M ot i o n a n d R e s t I th e s e c a nn ot , ,

a ff ec t t h e so ul o t h e r w i s e excep t s o a s t o m a ke th em s elve s

kn ow n t o it as obj ect s a nd a cc or di n g t o th e a ppeara nce s

w h i c h t h ey p r e s en t t o it th a t is a cc o r di n g as t h ey a ppe a r ,

goo d or ha d f so a l s o is th e soul aff ect ed by th em a nd th a t

, ,

I B dd s o t h i eff e t s
a 9 r e r c .

1 B t if it b
‘

u k d whenc e c ome it th t w know t hat t h

e as e s a e e

on i g o d t h
e s o t h e b d ? A n we
o , e S i n e it i t h
r b j e c t wh i c h
a s r : c s e o s

c au e s t usb e om e wo f t hem we
c ff ec t ed by t he o n
a a re o ,
a re a e

d i ff e e nt l y in p op t i n t h an b y t h ot h
r , r I I N ow t h e e b y whi h
or o e e r. s c

w a
e reff t d m t h m ni u l y (
a ec e g d t he p p t i
os ar o f o s as re ar s ro or on o

m t i n nd
o o t
a f wh i h t h y
re s n i t
, )
o m o t g e
c bl e t III
e co s s a re s a re a o u s,

a nd t h ey d e p
as t m nd m e f m t hi [h m ni u p op
ar or e a or ro s ar o o s r or

11 Th e se s ix w ord s a re c ro sse d ou t in A .

III B omi t s th e re st of th i s se nt e nc e .
 1 24 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E L L-B E I N G
H [ h appen s ] in as m uch a s it is a b ody (f or t h en th e b o dy
not

w o uld be th e pr i n cip a l c a u s e of t h e p a ss i on s ) b u t i n a s muc h ,

a s it is a n o bj ec t like a l l oth e r th i n g s w h ich w o uld a l s o a c t ,

in th e sa me way if th ey h a ppened t o r evea l th em s el v e s t o t h e

s o ul in th e s a me w ay B
( y t h i s h o w eve r I d o.n o t m e a n t o s ay , ,

t h at th e L ove H atr ed a n d S orr ow w h i c h p r o ceed f r o m t h e

, ,

c on t empl a t i on of in c or p or e a l th i n gs p ro duce t h e sa me effects

a s t h o s e w h ic h a r i s e f r o m t h e c o n t empl a t i o n o f c o r p o r e a l

th i n gs f or as w e sh a ll p r e s e n t ly s ay th e s e h av e y e t oth e r
, ,

e ff ect s a cc or ding t o t h e n atu r e of th e th i ng th rough th e

a pp r e h e n s i o n o f w h ic h L ove H a tr ed a n d S o r r ow & c are , , , .
,

a w a ken ed in t h e s o ul w h ic h c o n t empl a t e s t h e i n c or p o r e a l

th i n g s ) S o th a t t o r e t u r n t o o u r p r evi o u s s ubj ec t if som e

.
, ,

t h ing el s e s h ould a ppe ar t o t h e s o ul t o be m o r e gl or i o u s th a n

t h e b o dy r e a lly is it is ce rt a in t h a t t h e b o dy w o uld th e n h a v e
,

n o p o w e r t o p r o duce s uc h e ff ec t s a s it ce r ta inly d o e s n o w .

W h ence it f ol l ow s I n ot a l o ne th at t h e b od y is n ot th e p r i n cip a l
,

c a u s e of th e p ass i on s b u t a l s o th at eve n if t h e r e w e e in u s
,
r

s o me th i n g el s e be s ide s w h a t w e h a ve j u s t s t a t ed t o be c a p a ble ,

in o u r o pi n i o n of p r o duci n g t h e p a s s i o n s s uc h a th ing even

, , ,

if t h e r e w e r e s uc h c o uld like w i s e a ff e c t t h e s o ul nei t h e r

,

m or e nor di ff ere nt ly th a n t h e b o dy d oe s in f a c t n ow F or .

it c o uld neve r be a n y th i n g el s e t h a n s uc h an o bj ec t a s w ould

t i on t h ey t e nd t o b ] m
, t di g e ble e A nd h e i e e ey
os sa r e a . e nc ar s s v r

kind f f el ing f wh i h w b e me w e nd wh i h wh n it t
o e o c e co a ar
,
a c ,
e ac s

on ou r b dy oit ft n d , as t h oug h m t e i l
o e b j ec t w ll
oe s, r a r a o s, e ca

i mp ul e ; f i n t n e m n wh o i o wing n b m de t
s s or s a c , a a s s rro ca e a o

l ug h o b mad e me y b y b ei ng t i k l d
a , r e b y d i nki ng wi n &
rr , c e ,
or r e, c .
,

wh i h [i mp ul es] t he s ul b e ome i ndee d w e f b ut doe n t

c s o c s a ar o , s o

p odu e
r c F . when it O por , te th me i ment a e l and of
e ra s, e rr s re r a

a n ot h e ki nd ; b e u then it i no b dy t h t op e at es b t th
r ca se s o a r ,
u e

i nt el l ig ent oul u e t he body s t ool nd c on eque nt l y a th e

s s s a a , a , s , s

s oul i mo es t i ve in t h i c
r ac o i t h e feel i ng mo e p e fe c t
s ase , s s r r .

I A nt i nue
co t hu n ot t h t t h e b dy
s l one is t h e p i nc i p al
s : a o a r

ca u e f t h p as i n
s o e B t h t t h e body al one is n t t h e
s o s : a o

p i nc i p l c ause of t he p ass i ns
r a o
 C HA PTE R XX
CO N F I R M AT I O N O F T H E F O R E GO ING
NO W, eg ar d s w h at w e h a ve sa id in t h e p eceding
as r r

ch a p te r th e f oll ow ing di fficul tie s migh t be ra i sed by way of

,

j
o b e c t io n . I
Fi rst if m oti on is n ot th e c a u s e o f th e p a ss i on s th e n w h y
,

is it p o ss ible neve r th ele s s t o b a n i sh s orr ow by t h e a id of

, ,

ce r ta in II me a n s a s is of ten d o ne by mea n s of w ine T o

,

t h i s it s e rve s [ a s a n a n sw e r ] t h a t a di st inc t i o n mu s t be
m ade be tw een th e s oul s a ware n e ss wh en it fi r s t b e ’

c o mes a w a r e of th e b o dy a nd th e judgme n t w h ich it ,

p r e s en tly c o me s t o f or m a s t o w h e th e r it is goo d or b ad
f or it l .
' '

Now t h e ul bei n g suc h a s j u st I I I sta ted h as a s w e

so , , ,

h a ve a l r e a dy sh o w n be f or e t h e p o w e r t o m ove t h e [ vi ta l ] ,

s pi r i t s w h i t h er so eve r it ple a s e s b u t t h i s p o w e r m ay nev e r ,

t h e l e ss be t a ke n aw a y f r o m i t as w h en o w ing t o oth e r
‘

, , ,

c au s e s [ a r i s ing o u t] o f th e b o dy g e n era lly th ei r f or m c on , ,

s t i t u t ed by ce r ta in p r o p or t i o n s m i n a n d r e st ]
[ o f o t o dis ,

a ppe a rs or is c h a n ged a n d w h en it be c o me s a w a r e o f t h i s

[ c h a n ge ] i n it t h e r e ar i s e s s o r,r o w w h ic h v a r ie s w i t h th e ,

I B i e t he e ns r s
p e l i mi n y t t e men t f t h t h e b j e t i ons
r a r ar s a o e re o c

wh i h fol l ow
c nd th e n ep t t hem e h in it s p l ac e a in t he
, a r ea s ac , s

t ext .

I I A h g e n [n ] b t t h i w
as e e ed o t b y M n ikh ff nd
o u s a s c ros s u o n o a

ep l d b y nige [ m t in
r ac e ee
] so e , or c e r a .

I Th t i b t we n u d t nd i ng
a s, e n i d e e d g en
e n l l y a nd
e rs a co s r e ra ,

unde tandi ng h i ng p ec i l ega d t t he g d

rs av s evi l of t he
a r r o oo or

t h i ng .

III A nu me dia te p o i b l y a l i p fo immedia te t hat is im

: , ss s r , ,

m di t ly
e a e B nu on midde l ijk i mmed i t el y
[ :
] a .

1 26
 CO NFI R MAT I O N O F THE F O R E GO IN G 1 27

c h a n ge wh ic h th e [ vi ta l ] s pi r i t s u n derg o Th i s sorrow . H

r e s ul t s f r o m its l o v e f o r a n d u n i o n w i t h t h e b o d y st , ,

Th a t t h i s is s o m a y be e a s ily dedu c ed f r o m t h e f a c t t h at
t h i s s o r r ow c a n be a lle v i a t ed in o n e o f t h e s e t w o w ay s ;
ei th er by r e stor i n g th e [ vi t a l ] s pi ri ts t o t h ei r or igin a l f or m
th a t is by r eliev ing h im o f t h e p a in o r by bei n g pe rs u a ded ,

by g ood r e as o n s t o m a ke n o a d o a b ou t th i s b ody Th e .

fi r s t is t em p orary a n d [ t h e s orrow ] is li a b l e to r et ur n b u t
,

th e s ec on d is e t e r n a l pe r m a n en t a n d unc h a n ge a ble , ,
.

Th e s ec o nd o bj e c t i o n m a y be t h i s : a s w e s e e th a t t h e
s o ul a l t h o ug h it h a s n o t h ing in c o mm o n w i t h t h e b o dy
, ,

c a n y e t b r i n g it a b o u t t h a t t h e vi a l ] s pi r i t s a l t h o ug h t h ey
[ t ,

w e r e a b o u t t o m ov e in o n e di r e c t i o n ne v e r th ele s s m ove ,

n o w in t h e o th er d ir ec t i o n w h y sh o uld it n o t a l s o be a ble ,

t o e ff ect t h at a b o dy w h ic h is pe r f ec t ly s t ill a n d a t r e s t
s h o uld begin t o m o v e i t s el f fi l ik e w ise w h y s h o uld it n ot ,

a l so be a ble t o m o v e in w h a t eve r di r ect i o n it ple a s e s a l l

o t h e r b o die s w hi c h ar e a l r e a dy in m ot i o n

t M an
’
s u e d by t h t h oug h t t h t ome e il i
s o r r ow is ca s e a s v s

b f l l i ng him m l y t h ug h t h l
e a ,
na f m e g od wh en u h
e ,
ro e os s o so o s c

a t h ug h t i
o nt t i ne d t h e
s e ul t i t h t t h [ i t l ] p i i t g t h
er a , re s s, a e v a s r s a er

a b ut t h h t d wi th t h h l p f t h p t p e it t g t h e
o e e ar , an , e e o o er ar s , r ss o e r

a nd e l e it j u t t h
n c os e e e f wh t h p p n in t h
, s e of j y
e r v rs o a a e s e c as o .

T hen t he oul b ec m e s w e f t hi p e u e n d i p i ned

o N w
s a ar o s r ss r , a s a . o

wh t i it t h t m ed i i
a s wi n
a ff t ? T h i m l y t h t b y t he i
c n e s or e e ec s , na e , a r

ac t i n t hey d i e
o w y t h [ i t l ] p i i t f om t h h e t
r v a and m ke e v a s r s r e ar , a a

ro m o g i n a d wah e n t h ,
u
anl be m w e f t hi it ec ei e e so co es a ar o s, r v s

ne w n i m t i n wh i h
a a i t in t h i t h t t h t houg h t f e il i
o , c c on s s s s, a e o v s

di t d by th
ve r e h ng in t h p p t i n of m t i n a nd e t wh i h
e c a e e ro or o o o r s ,
c

t h wi n e h
e u d nd it tu t s meth ing el e in whi h t h
as c a se ,
a rn s o o s c e

unde t ndi ng fi d mo
rs a ti f ti n nB t t hi s nn t b e t h re sa s ac o . u s ca o e

i mme d i t e effe t f t h wi ne n t h oul b ut nl y of th wi n on

a c o e o e s , o e e

t h [ it l ] p i i t
e v a s r s .

I1 N w th
"
i n di ffi ul ty he e
o ,
e re t how t h one m d e wh i c h
s o c r as o e o ,

i i fin i t l y d i ff
s n n t f om t h
e th e y t a t
e re n t h ot h e r fo it is e o r, e c s o e r : r

a p t arf t h e whool e s i n e t h e o u l n eve exi ted wi t hout t he body

,
c s r s ,
1 28 GO D , M AN, A ND H I S W E L L-B E IN G
B u t if w e ec all w h at w e h ave a l re a dy s a id bef or e c o n
r

c e r n i n g t h e t h inking t h i n g it c a n r em ov e t h i s di fficul t y f or
,

u s qui t e e a s ily N a mely w e t h en sa id t h at a l th ough N at u r e

.
,

h a s va ri ou s a ttr ibu t e s it is a l l t h e s a me b u t o n e o nly , , ,

B ei n g o f w h i c h a l l t h e s e a t t r ibu t e s a r e p r edic at ed
,
Be .

s ide s t h i s w e h a v e a l so sa id t h a t t h e t h i n ki n g t h i n g t o o , ,

w a s b u t on e o n ly t h ing in N a tu r e a n d is e xp r e s s ed in ,

infi ni t e Ide as in a cc or d a n ce w ith th e i n fin i t e t h i n gs wh ich

,

e xi st in N at u r e ; f or if t h e b ody r e c eive s s u c h a m od e a s ,

no r t he b o dy w t h o t t h e i u s ou l .
I We arr v i e at th s i [ c on c l u i n] s o as

f ol l ows
1 . Th e re is a p e rf e c t b i ng
e , a
p g e — .
II 2 . Th eec r a nn ot b e t wo
s ub sta nc e s, p ag e e inni ng
3 . No s ub st a n c e c an h e av a b g ,

p gea i nfinit in it ki d p g e
4 E ac h is
.
5 e e mu t e s n , a . Th r s

l
a so be n t t ibut f t h ug ht p g
a a r 6 T h e e i i t h i ng in
e o o , a e . r s ro

N tu b t t h e i n I d f it in t h t hinki ng t h ing esul t ing f m

a re , u er s a ea o e ,
r ro

it es ncss e nd xi t e n e in
e a nj u ti n p ge
e s 7 C n e
c co nc o , a . o s

q entl y n w 8 S i e th i e n wit h u t t h i exi ten e i

u , o : . nc e r sse ce, o e r s c , s

i mp l i d in t h d i g n t i n f t h ing t h fo e t h I d e f t h
e e es a o s o s, ere r e a o e

e ss en e nnot b g d d
c ca met h ing ep e re te ; t hi
ar n o ly
e as so s a ra s ca n

b d n wh n t he i b ot h e xis t n ce nd s senc e b
e o e e re s e t h t he e e a e , e c au s en r

is a n b j e t wh i h b f
o c , w n t Fo c x mp l e wh n t h
e or e wh l e as o . r e a , e e o

w l l i wh i t e t h e i n t h i
a s , t h t in &
er 9 N w t h i I de
s o s or a ,
c . . o ,
s a,

co n id s d b y i t l f n d p t f om l l t h
e re se Id
,
a be n m e
a ar r a o er e as, c a n o or

th n a me e I d
a f u h
r t h i ng nd it
ea o n t b s t h t it h
c n a , a ca no e a as a

I de a of u h t h i ng ; [ d d] m ve t h t u h n I d e t hus
s c a a or e o r, a s c a a,

r eg d d in e it i nl y p t
ar e , s c h n s v y le o nd ey a ar ,
c an a ve o er c ar a v r

di tin t
s c n ep t i on of i t el f
co c d it b j e t b ut l y t he t h i n ki g
s an s o c , on n

t h i ng wh i h i t h wh l e f N t u
, c s n h ee t hi f a p t n
o o a re , c a av s or , ar co

s id d wi t h ut it wh l e
e re o n t & s B t we n t h I d
o , d ca no , c . 10 . e e e ea an

th b j t th
e o ec mu t n e i l y b e u ni n b u e t h n n
e re s ec s sa r a o , ec a s e o e ca

n t xi t wi t h u t t h
o e s t he fo t h e i n o t hi ng wh o e I d
e o i n t
r : or er s s ea s o

in t h t hi nki ng t h i ng
e nd no I d n xi t un l e s t he t h i n
, a
g l o ea c a e s s a s

e xi t s s Fu t he mo e t h ob j t
. r r n t h ng e wi t h ut th I d e
r e ec c an o c a o e a

I B mit t h o t f thi
s t b t
e re s dd h th o t t F
s no e , it u a s e re e ne x no e : * or * ,

i l
s c ea r

II Th mb e f th
nu p g (i er t 6) io t gi e i t h MS S
a e n no e s 1— s no ve n n e .

S e e Com m e nt a ry .
1 30 G O D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-BE I N G
l it ca nn ot m ove a sto n e w h ich r e st s o r l ie s s t ill
a so

bec a u s e th e st o ne ag a i n m ake s a n oth er Ide a in th e

, ,

S o ul . He n ce a l so it is n o le s s cle a r t h a t it is imp oss ible

t h a t a sto n e w h ic h is pe r f ec tl y a t r e s t a n d s t ill s h o uld be
, ,

m a de to m ove by a ny m o de of th oug ht f or th e s a me ,

r e a s o n s a s a b o ve .

Th e t h i r d O bj ec t i o n m ay be th i s We s eem t o be a ble t o
s e e cle ar ly t h a t w e c a n n eve r th ele ss p r o duce a ce rta in
, ,

s t illne s s in t h e b o dy F or a f t e r w e h a ve kep t m oving o u r

.
,

[ v it al
] s pi r i ts f or a l o n g t ime w e find t h a t w e a r e t i r ed ;
,

w h ic h a ss u r edly is n oth i n g el s e t h a n a ce rta in s t illne ss in

, ,

t h e [ vi t al ] s pi r i t s br oug h t a b o u t by o u r s elve s We a n sw er .
,

h ow e ver t h at it is qui t e tr ue t h at t h e s o ul is a c a u s e of t h i s
,

s t ill n e s s ,
b u t o nly indi r ec t ly ; f or it pu t s - a st o p t o t h e

m ov ement n ot di r ec tly b u t o nly t hrough oth er b odie s

,

w h ic h it h a s m o ved a n d w h i c h mu s t t h e n nece s s ar ily h av e

,

l o st a s much a s th ey h a d imp ar ted to th e [ vita l] sp ir its I .

I t is th e r e f or e cle ar o n a l l s ide s t h at in N a t u r e t h e r e is
o n ly o n e a n d t h e s a me kind o f m o t i o n .

I B : Th e A ns we r is u
t h a t , al t h o g h it may b e ue that t he tr

u
S o l is a ca i
ue
s oft t i l l it d o
th s n
re s , s es ot b ing it b ut i mme
r a o

d i t l y b t on l y t h oug h t h
a e , u r b di wh i o er o e s, ch n e ily i mp t t
ec s sa r ar o

t h e m vi ng vi t l i i t ju t m u t h y e c e i e m ot i on
o
[ ] p a s r ch st
s s as re as e r v

f o m t he m
r .
 C HA PTE R XXI
O N R E AS O N
AT p r e s e nt w e h av e to i n quir e w h y it ha ppen s th at s ome
t i m e s a l th ough w e s e e th a t a ce r ta in t h i n g 8 g oo d o r b a d
,
1
,

w e n e v e r th ele s s d o n o t fin d in u s th e p ow e r ei t h e r t o d o th e
g o o d o r to a b sta i n f o m t h e b a d a nd s o me t ime s h o w eve r
r , , ,

w e d o i n deed [ fin d th i s p ow e r in u s ] Th i s w e c a n e a s ily .

u n derst a nd if w e c on s ide r th e c a u s e s t h at w e a ss ig n ed to
o pi n i o n s w h ic h w e s t a t ed t o be t h e c a u s e s o f a l l a ff ec t s
,
.

T h e s e w e t h en s a id [ a r i s e ] ei th e r f r o m h e arsa y or f r o m
, , ,

expe r ie n ce A n d s i n ce a l l t h at w e fin d in o u rs el v e s h as
.

g r ea t e r p ow e r ove r u s t h a n th at wh i c h c o mes t o u s f r o m
o u t s ide it ce rt a i n ly f oll o w s t h a t R e a s o n c a n be t h e c a u s e
,

o f t h e e xt i n c t i o n o f O pi n i o n s t w h ic h w e h av e g ot f r o m h e a r

s a y o n ly ( a n d t h i s is s o bec a u s e r e a s o n h a s n o t th es e “

I I t is al l the sa m e wh e t h er we u se he r e t h e word O p n o n or i i
i
p a ss on ; a n d so it is c l e ar wh y we c ann ot qu b y m n of c on er ea s

e e
R e a s on t hos t h a t ha v c ome t o u s t h r o g h u xp e i n e ; f th e e r e c or es

ar e n t h i ng o l e t h n n nj ym n t f
e s a i mm di t e ni n wi t h
a e o e o ,
or e a u o ,

s o me t h i ng t h t w j d g a t b g e d nd R u on t h ug h it t
e o e he oo ,
a eas , o e ac s

us wh t i b et t
a sd n t m k
e r, nj y it
oe s N w t h t wh i h we
o a e us e o . o a c

e nj y ino nn ot b e c onqu
us c a d by t h t wh i h w d o not enj oy e re a c e ,

a nd i t si d e us
s ou t h t i wh i h R e
, as n ugg a t But if t he e
s c a so s es s . s

a re t b e e ome t hen t h mu t b e met h i ng t h t i m e

o ov r c e re s so a s or

p ow ful ; in t h i w y t he e W l l b e n nj ymen t
er s a r i mme d iati a e o or e

un i n wit h m t hing t h t i b t t k nown nd nj yed t h n t h i

o so e a s e er a e o a s

fi t ; and wh e n t h i exi t
rs i t y i lw y s u d ; o i nd eed
s s v c or s a a s ass re r
, ,

t h i vi c t me t h ug h t s t i ng n il wh i h i og ni ed
* *
s y or l co s a so ro a a ev c s re c s

t o be g te re ath n th r g od t h t w
a enj oy d an d up n whi h it
e o a as e , o c

f l l w i mm d i t el y
o o s e S t i l l xp i en e t
a . h t h t th i
, evil d oeer c eac es us a s e s

n ot ne il y l w y f l l w t h u f & c S p g 7 8 8
c e ssar a a s o o s, or , . ee a es ,
1 1 .

1 31
 1 32 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G
ll
fi c o me to u s f ro m o u ts ide ) b u t by n o m ea n s O f t h os e
,

w h ic h w e h a ve g ot f r o m expe r ie n ce F o r t h e p o w e r w h ic h
.

t h e t h i n g i ts el f gi ve s u s is a l w ay s g r e a t e r th a n t h a t w h ic h
w e O b ta in by w a y o f c o n s eque n c e t h r o ugh a s ec o n d t h ing
w e n ot ed th i s di ff e r e n ce w h en s pe a ki n g o f r e aso ni n g a n d o f
clea r u n de rs ta ndi ng p age 6 7 a n d w e did so wi th t h e r ule
, ,

O f t h r ee a s a n illu s t r a t i o n
. F o r m or e p ow e r c o me s t o u s
fr o m t h e under s ta n di n g o f p o p or t io n I i t s el f t h a n fr o m
r ,

t h e u n de r st a nding o f t h e r ule O f p r o p o r t i o n And it is for

.

t h i s r e as o n t h a t w e h a ve sa id s o o f t e n t h at o n e l o ve m a y be
extingui sh ed by a n oth e r w h ic h is gr e at er bec a u s e in s aying ,

t h i s w e did -n ot by a ny me a n s in t end t o r e f e r t o de s i r e
, ,

w h ic h d o e s n ot like l ove c o me fr o m tr ue k n o w ledge b u t

* “
, , ,

c ome s f r o m r e ason i ng .

I A and B : the ul e
r .
 1 34 GO D , M AN, AND H I S W E LL -B E I N G
H kn ow n An d f or th i s r e ason S i nce th e r e is s uc h a cl o s e
.
,

uni on be tw een G od a nd u s it is eviden t th at w e c a nn ot ,

kn ow h im exc ep t dir e c tly .

We s ha l l e n de av ou r t o expl a i n n ext th i s u n i o n of o u rs , ,

w i t h h im t h r o ug h n a t u r e a n d l ove .

We sa id bef o r e t h at in N at u r e t h e r e c an be n oth i n g o f
w h i c h th e r e s h o uld n ot be a n Ide a in t h e s o ul o f th at sa me
t h ing 1 A n d ac c o r di n g a s t h e t h i n g is ei t h e r m or e or le s s
L
.

per f e c t so a l so is th e u n i o n a n d t h e i n fluen c e o f t h e Ide a

,

w i t h t h e t h i n g o r w i t h Go d h im s el f le ss or m o r e pe rf ec t
, , .

F o r a s t h e w h o le o f N a t u r e is b u t o n e o n ly s ub s ta n c e a n d ,

o n e w h os e e s s e n ce is i n fi n i t e a l l t h ing s a r e u n i t ed t h r o ug h
‘

N a tu r e a n d t h ey a r e u n i ted i nt o o ne [ being ] n a mely Go d

, , , .

A n d n o w a s t h e b o dy is t h e v e r y fi r s t t h i n g o f w h i c h o u r
,

s o ul bec o me s a w ar e be c a u s e a s a l r e a dy r e m a r k ed n o t h i n g
( ,

c a n exi s t in N a t u r e t h e I de a O f w h ic h is n ot in t h e t h i n k ing
,

t h i n g t h i s I de a bei n g t h e s o ul o f t h a t t h ing ) s o t h a t t h ing

,

m u s t ne c e ss ar ily be t h e fir s t c a u s e o f t h e Ide a t i .
'

B u t a s t h i s Ide a c a n by n o me a n s fin d r e s t in t h e k n o w
,

ledge O f th e b o dy w i th o u t p a ssing on t o th e k n ow ledge o f

t h a t w i t h o u t w h ic h t h e b o dy a n d I de a c o u l d n ei th e r be n o r ,

be unde rs tood s o (aft er k n ow i ng it fir s t) it be c om e s u n i t ed

,

w i t h it i m medi a t ely t h r o ugh l o v e Th i s uni o n is be t t e r .

u n der s t o o d a n d o n e m ay ga th e r w h a t it mu s t be like fro m

, ,

it s a c t i o n w i th t h e b o dy in w h i c h w e s e e h ow t h r o ug h ,

1 Thi s al s o e xp l a nsi wh at we i d in t h e fir t p a rt , n a me l y, t ha t
“

sa s

t he i nfinit u nd e e r st a n d ng i mu t e xi t in N t e f
s s a ur ro m al l e t e rn i ty ,

a nd why we c al l e d it t h e so n of Go d . For, as God e x st i ed f r om

e t e rn i ty , h is I d e a m ut s al so b e in t h e t h i nking t hi ng th t i , a s, in h im
se l f
”
"
fr o m e iy
e t rn t
*
j
ob ec tive t h s i I de a i n id wi th him
co c es se l f ; s ee

p ag e 5 7
It T hat is I ou r s o ul b i ng e b dy d i it fi t
an I de a of t he o e r ve s s rs

b i ng
e f ro m t h e b d y b t II it i
o , nl y
u p nt ti n f t h b ody
s o a re re se a o o e ,

b ot h as a wh ol e and in it
p t in t h t hi nki ng t h i ng
s ar s , e .

I B i n se rt s in after is .
II A : f or ; B : b ut .
 TR UE K O N WL E D GE ,
R E GE N E R AT I O N , &c . 13 5

kn ow ledge o f a n d f eeli n g s t owa r d s c or p o r e a l t h ing s th e re

, ,
H

a r i s e in us a l l t h e e ff ec ts w h ic h w e a re c o n s t a n t ly bec o min g

a w a r e o f in t h e b o dy t h r o ugh t h e m ov emen t s o f t h e v i ta l
, [ ]
s pi r i t s ; a n d t h e r e f or e ce r k n o w ledge a n d l o ve
( if o n o u

c ome t o emb ra ce t h at w i th ou t w h ic h w e c an n ei th e r be ,

n or be unde r s t o o d a n d w h ic h is in n o w a c o rp o r e a l ) h o w
, y
i n c omp a ra bly gr e a t e r a n d m or e gl or i ou s w ill a nd mu st be
t h e ki n d O f e ff ec t s r e s ul t ing f r o m t h i s uni o n ; f or t h e s e
mu st n ecessar ily be c o mme n su ra t e w i th t h e th ing w i th
w h ich it is u n i t ed . An d w h e n w e be c o me a w a r e o f t h e s e
*
e xcellen t eff ec ts th en w e m ay say w i th tru th tha t we have
"
, ,

b een b orn a g ain . F o r o u r fi r s t bi rt h t o o k pl a ce w h en w e

w er e u n i ted w i t h t h e b o dy t h r o ug h w h ic h t h e a c t ivi t ie s a n d
,

m o vemen ts o f t h e [ vi ta l ] s pi ri ts h ave a ri s en ; b u t t h i s ou r
o t h e r o r s e c o n d bi r t h w ill t a ke pl a ce w h e n w e bec o me

aw a r e in u s o f e n t i r ely di ff e r en t e ff ec t s o f l o v e c o m m e n s u
,

ra t e w i t h t h e k n o w ledge o f t h i s i n c o p o r e a l O bj ec t a n d a s
r ,

di ff e r e n t fro m t h e fi r st as t h e c or p o r e a l is di ff er e n t f r o m
t h e in c orp or e a l s pi r i t f r o m fle s h
, A n d t h i s ma y t h e r e for e
.
, ,

a l l t h e m o r e j u s t ly a n d t r uly be c a lled R ege n e r a t i o n in as

,

much a s o n ly f r o m t h i s l o ve a nd u n i o n d oe s E t e r n a l a nd
u n c h angea ble exi s te n ce en s ue a s w e s h a ll p ro ve
,
.
 C HA PT E R XXI I I
O N TH E I M M O R TA LITY O F TH E S O UL
IF nly w e c o n s ider a tt en tively what th e S oul is a nd wh ence
o ,

it s c h a nge a n d du r a t i o n or igi n at e t h en w e s h a ll e a s ily s e e ,

w h e t h e r it is m ort a l o r imm ort a l .

Now w e h a ve s a id th at t h e S o ul is a n Ide a w h ich is in

t h e t h inki n g t h ing a r i s ing f r o m t h e r e a li t y o f a t h ing wh ich
,

exi sts in N atur e W h e n ce it f oll ow s t h at a cc ordi ng to t h e

.

du ra ti on a nd ch a nge of th e th i n g so mu st a l so be t he ,

du rat i o n a nd c h a nge of t h e S oul We r em a r ked a t th e .

,

s a me t ime t h a t t h e S o ul c a n bec o me uni t ed ei t h e r with the

,

b ody o f w h ic h it is t h e Ide a o r with God w i t h ou t w h o m it , ,

c a n n ei th e r be n or be kn o w n ,
.

Fr o m th i s t h en it c a n e as ily be s ee n ( ) t h at if it is
, , ,
I
,

uni t ed w i th th e b o dy a l o ne a n d th at b o dy h a ppen s t o ,

per i sh th e n it mu st pe r i sh a l so f or w h en it is dep r iv ed of
,

t h e b o dy w h ic h is t h e f o und a t i o n o f its l o ve it mu s t pe r i sh
, ,

w i th it B u t ( 2 ) if it bec o me s u n i ted w i th s o me o th e r
.

th i n g w h ic h is a n d r em a i n s unc h a nge a ble t h en o n t h e , ,

c o ntra r y it mu st a l so r em a i n u n c h an g e able a n d l a s ti ng
,
*
.
‘

F o r in t h a t c a s e t h r o ugh w h a t s h a ll it be p o ss ible f or it
, ,

t o pe r i s h ? I Not t h r o ugh i ts el f ; f or a s li tt le a s it c o uld

begin t o exi st t h r ough i t s el f w h en it did n ot ye t exi st s o ,

I B n l ud co t hi h pt
c f l l ow
es F s c t h t wh i h l ne i
a e r as o s : or a c a o s

t he u e f t h xi t e of t h i g mu t l wh e it i b ut t o
ca s o e e s e nc a n , s a s o, n s a o

p a ss w y
a b e t
a h , u e f it n n - xi t e n e
e ca s i mp l y b ec u e i t el f
o s o e s c ,
s a s s

i h gi g
s c an p n i ng w y ; o t h t wh of it i th c u e mu t
or ass a a r a e re s e a s s

be bl t nnih il t e i t l f ; b t l itt l
a e o a a t hi g
se n b eg i n t o u as e as a n ca

exi t t h ug h i t l f wh n it d e n t ye t xi t so l it tl al s n it
s ro se e o s o e s , e o ca

c h ng e o p i h t h ug h i t el f n w t h t it doe exi t
a r er s ro s , o a s s .

1 36
 C HA PTE R XXIV
O N G O D S LO V E O F M A N
’

T H U S f ar w e h a ve sh ow n s u fficie ntly w e t h ink w h at ou r , ,

l ove O f God is a l s o its c o n s e q ue n ces n a mely ou r e ter n a l

, , ,

du ra ti o n S o w e d o n ot th i n k it n ece ss a ry h e r e to s ay a n y
.

th ing a b o u t o th e r th ing s s uc h a s j oy in G o d pe a ce of
, ,

mi n d & c a s fr o m w h a t h a s been s a id it m ay e as ily be

, .
,

s een w h a t th e r e is t o or s h o uld be sa id a b o u t th em .

Th u s ( a s w e h a v e s o far o nly c o n s ide r ed o u r l o ve o f G o d )

, ,

it s t ill r ema i n s t o be s ee n w h et h e r t h er e is a l so a divine

l ove o f u s th at is w h e th er God a l so l o ve s m a n kind
, , ,

n a mely w h en t h ey l ove him Now in th e fir st pl a ce w e

,
.
, ,

h a ve sa id th a t t o G o d n o m o de s o f t h ou g h t c a n be as c r ibed
excep t th o s e wh ich ar e in h is c r e at u r e s ; th e r e f or e it c a nn ot ,

be sa id th a t G o d l ove s m a nki n d muc h le ss [ c a n it be ,

s a id ] th a t h e s h o uld l o ve t h em bec a u s e t h ey l ove him or ,

h at e th em be c a u s e t h ey h a t e h im F o r in th a t c a s e we
.

s h o uld h a v e t o s upp o s e t h a t pe ople d o s o o f t h ei r ow n f r ee

w ill a n d t h a t t h ey d o n o t depend o n a fi r s t c a u s e ; w h ic h
,

w e h av e a l r e a dy be f o r e p r oved t o be f a l s e B e s ide s t h i s .
,

w o uld n ece s s a r ily i n v o l v e n oth i n g le s s t h a n a g r e a t mu ta

bili fy on t h e p a rt of God w h o th ough h e n ei th e r l oved n or
, ,

h a t ed be f or e w ould n o w h a ve t o begi n t o l ove a n d t o

,

h a t e a n d w ould be
,
induced o r m a de to d o s o by so me
t h ing s upp os ed t o b e o u t s ide h im ; b u t th i s is a b s u r di t y
i ts el f .

S t ill w h en w e s ay t h a t G o d d o e s n ot l o ve ma n th i s
, ,

mu st n ot be take n t o me a n th at h e ( so t o say ) le a ve s
m a n t o pu rs ue his c ou rs e a l l a l o ne b u t o nly th at b e ,

c au se ma n toge th e r w i th al l th a t is a re in God in s uch ,

1 38
 O N GO D S LO V E
’
OF MAN 39

a w ay, I a nd c o ns ists of a l l th e s e in s uch a w ay th e r e f ore

G od , ,
H

p r operly s pe a ki n g th er e c a n be in h im no l o v e f or so me th i n g
,

el s e s ince a l l f o r m on ly on e t h ing w h ich is G od h im s el f

: ,
.

Fr om t h i s it f oll o w s a l s o t ha t God gives n o l aw s t o m a n

ki n d s o a s to r e w a r d th e m w h en t h ey f ul fil th e m [ a nd t o *

pu n i s h t h em w h en t h ey t ra n sg r ess o r t o s ta t e it ,

m or e cle ar ly t h a t G o d s l a w s a r e n ot o f s uc h a n a t u r e t h at
’

t h ey c o uld be t r a n sg r e ss ed F or t h e r e g ul a t i o n s i m p o s ed.

by G od on N a tu r e a cc o di n g t o w h ich a l l t h ings c o me in t o
,
r

e xi st e n ce a nd c o nt i n ue to exi st t h es e if w e w ill ca ll t h em , ,

l a w s ar e s uch th a t t h ey c a n n eve r be tra n sg re ss ed ; s uch

, ,

f or i n s t a n c e is [ th e l a w ] t h a t t h e w e a ke s t mu s t yield t o t h e
,

s t r o n e st I I t h a t n o c a u s e c a n p r o duce m or e t h a n it c o n t a i n s
g ,

in i ts el f a n d t h e li k e w h i c h a r e o f s u c h a ki n d t h a t t h ey
, ,

n e v e r c h a n ge a n d n e ve r h a d a begi n n i n g b u t a l l t h ing s a r e
, ,

s ubj ec t ed a n d s ub o r d i n a t ed t o t h em A n d t o s a y b iefly .
,
r

s o me t h i n g a b o u t t h em : a l l l a w s t h a t c a n n o t be t r a n s g r e s s ed ,

a r e divine l a w s ; t h e r e a s o n i bec u e e e
[ is t h s ] a s w h a t s o v r ,

happen s is n o t c o n t rar y t o b u t in a cc or d a nc e w i th h is o w n
, , ,

deci s i on All l a w s th at c a n be t ra n sgr e ss ed ar e h um an l aw s ;

.

t h e r e as o n [ is t h i s ] be c a u s e a l l t h a t pe o ple decide up o n fo
, r

t h ei r o w n w ell -bei n g d o e s n o t nece s sar ily o n t h a t a c c o u n t , ,

t e n d a l s o t o t h e w ell -bei n g o f th e w h o le o f N a t ur e b u t m a y o n , ,

t h e c o n t ra r y t end t o t h e a n ni h il a t i o n o f m a n y o t h e r th ing s
, .

Wh e n th e l aw s o f N a t u r e ar e str o nger t h e l a w s O f m e n ,

a r e m a de null ; t h e divi n e l a w s are t h e fin a l e n d f or t h e

sa ke o f w h i c h t h ey e xi s t a n d n o t s ub o r din a t e h um a n
,

[ l a w s ] are n ot I I I S til l IIII n o tw i t h s t an ding t h e f a c t th a t

.
,

I B i u
c o nt n e s as fol l ows : t hat God th u i
s c ons s t s O f th em onl y
t he r ef e it mu
or , st be so c o nc e ve i d th at, p rop e rl y s p e a ki ng
II B : k mu t yi l d t t h t ng
t h e we a e r s e o e s ro er .

I II BTh D i i n L w t h fin l
e nd f vwh i h t hey xi
e a s a re e a e or c e st ,

and not ub
a re din t b t not s th H um n L w
or f
a e : wh u so e a a s or en

th L w
e f N tu
a s o e t ng e t h n t h e e t hey
a e
re a r nn i h i l t ed
s ro r a s ar a a .

1111 A F ; B S t il l : or : .
 1 40 G O D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL -B E I N G
H me n m ake l aw s f or th eir o w n w ell -bei ng a n d h av e n o oth e r ,

e n d in vie w e xcep t t o p r o m ot e t h ei r o w n w ell - being by

t h e m t h i s end o f t h ei r s m a y y e t ( in so f a r a s it is s ub or di n a t e
,

t o o th e r e n d s w h ic h a n oth e r h a s in V ie w w h o is a b ov e ,

t h em a n d le t s th em a c t t h u s a s p ar t s o f N a t u r e ) s e rv e t h at
,

e nd
[ w h ic h ] c o i n cide s w i t h t h e e t e r n a l I l a w s e s ta bli sh ed

by G od frome te rn i ty a n d s o t ogeth e r w i th a l l oth e r s h elp

, , ,

t o a c c o mpli s h eve r y t h i n g F o r e xa mple a l t h o ugh t h e

.
,

B ee s in a l l t h ei r w or k a n d t h e or de r ly di s cipli n e w h i c h th e y
,

m a i n tai n a m o n g th em s elve s h ave n o o th er end in v ie w t h a n ,

t o ma ke c e r ta i n p r ov i s i on s f or th e m s el v e s f o r t h e w i n t e r
*
,

s t ill m a n w h o is a b o v e th em h a s a n e n t i r ely di ff e r e n t e n d
, ,

in v ie w w h e n h e m a i n ta i n s a n d t e n d s t h em n a mely t o , ,

o bt a i n h o n ey f o r h i m s el f S o a l so [ is it w i th ] m a n in s o
.
,

f ar a s h e is a n i n di v idu a l th i n g a n d l ooks n o f u r th e r t h a n
h is fin i t e c h a r a c ter c a n r e a c h b ut in s o f a r a s he is a l s o ,

a p a r t a n d t oo l of t h e w h o le o f N a t u r e th i s e n d o f m a n ,

c a n n o t be t h e fin a l end o f N a t u r e beca u s e sh e is i n fini t e , ,

a n d mu st m a ke u s e o f h im t o ge th e r a l s o w i th a l l o t h e r
,

t h i n g s a s a n i n s tr u m e n t
,
.

Th u s f ar [ w e h a ve bee n S pe a ki n g ] o f th e l a w imp os ed by
G o d ; it is n o w t o be r em ar ked a l s o t h a t m a n is a w ar e o f
t w o ki n d s o f l a w e ven in h im se l f ; II I me a n s uc h a m a n
w h o u s e s h is u n de r s t a n di n g a r ig h t a n d a tta in s t o th e k n ow ,

ledge o f God a n d th e s e [ tw o k ind s o f l a w ] r e s ul t fr om h is

f ell o w s h ip w i th G o d a n d f r o m h is f ell o w s h ip w i t h t h e
,

m ode s of N at u r e O f t h e s e t h e one is ne c e s sary a n d th e

.
,

o t h e r is n o t F o r a s r eg a r d s t h e l a w w h ic h r e s ul ts f ro m
.
,

h is f ell o w s h ip w i th G o d s i n ce h e c a n n e v er be o th e r w i s e
,

b u t mu st a l w ay s n ece s s a r ily be u n i t ed w i t h h im th e r e f or e ,

I B: b g i nni ng l
e e ss .

II B co nt i nu es : 1 . I n him wh o u nd e t n d g i g h t
ue
s s h is rs a in ar

a nd a t t a in t t h kn
s o e owl e dg f G d ; t he
e o ul t f m h i f l l w
o s e re s ro s e o

i p wi t h G d
sh o . 2 . T hos e wh i h e ul t f m h i fel l ow hi p wi t h t h
c r s ro s s e

m d
o f N tu e
es o a r .
 1 42 G O D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-BE IN G
H Go d a nd understa nding of m a n ; f or a s th e U nde r
th e ,

sta nding is t h a t in u s w h ic h mu s t kn o w G o d a n d a s it s ta nd s ,

in s u c h immedi a te uni on w ith him th at it c an nei th er be n or ,

be unde r st ood w i th ou t h im it is inc ontrovertibly evident

,

f r om th i s t h at n o t h ing c a n eve r c ome in t o s uch cl os e t o uc h

w i th th e U n de rs ta nding a s G od h im s el f c a n It is a l so im p os
.

s ible t o g e t t o k n ow G o d t h ro ug h s o me t h ing el s e I Be . .

c a u se ,
in th at c as e s u c h a t h i n g w ould h a ve t o be be tt e r
,

kn ow n t o u s th a n Go d h im s el f w h ic h is in O pen c onflict
,

w i th a l l t h a t w e h a ve h i th e r t o cle a r ly s h ow n n a mely t h at , ,

God is a c a u s e b oth o f ou r k n ow ledge a n d of a l l e s sence ,

a n d t h a t w i th o u t h im a l l individu a l t h ing s n o t o n ly c a n n ot

exist b ut c a n n ot even be u n de rsto od 2 B ec a u s e w e c a n

, . .

ne ver a tta i n t o th e kn owledge of G od th r oug h a ny ot h er

t h i n g t h e n a t u r e of w h ic h is n ece ssa r ily fi n i te eve n if it
, ,

w e r e f a r be tt e r kn o w n t o u s f or h ow is it p o s s ible th a t w e
-

s h o uld i n f e r a n infi n i t e a n d limi t le ss t h ing f r o m a finit e *

a nd
“
limi ted th i ng ? F or even if w e did o b se rve s o me
e ff e c ts or w or k in N a t u r e th e c a u s e of w h ich was u n kn ow n
t o u s s till it w ould be imp os sible f or u s t o c o nclude fr o m
,

t h i s th at t h e r e mu st be in N at u r e a n infini t e a n d li m i t le ss
t h ing in or de r t o p r o duce t h i s r e s ul t F or h ow c a n we
.

kn ow w h eth e r m any c a u s e s h ave c oncu rr ed in or de r to

p r oduce th is or w h e th e r t h er e w as o nly one Wh o is t o
,

t ell u s
We th e r e f or e c o nclude fina lly th at in orde r t o m a ke
, , ,

h im s el f kn ow n t o men Go d c an a n d need u se nei t h e r

,

w or d s n or mi ra cle s n or a ny oth er cr e a t ed th ing b ut o nly

, , ,

h im s el f .
 C HA PTE R XXV
ON DE VI LS
WE sh a ll briefly say s ome th i n g a b ou t devil s wh e ther
n ow ,

th ey exi s t or d o n ot exi s t a n d it is t h i s ,

I f th e Devil is a t h ing t h at is o nce f or a l l o pp os ed to God ,

a n d h as a b s olu tely n oth ing fr o m God t h en h e is p r eci s ely iden ,

t ic a l w i th N oth ing w h ic h w e h ave a l r e a dy di s cu s s ed be f or e

,
.

If w i th s ome w e r ep r e s en t h im a s a th inking th ing t h a t

, ,

a b so lu t ely nei t h e r w ill s n or d o e s a ny g oo d a n d s o s e ts h im ,

s el f o nce f or a l l
,
in opp os i ti o n to G od th en s u r ely h e is
, ,

ve ry wr e t c h ed a n d if p raye rs c ould h elp th en one ought

, , ,

t o p ra y f or h is c o nve rs i o n .

B u t l e t u s j u s t se e w h e th e r s uc h a wr e t c h ed t h ing c ould
even exi st f or a s ingle m omen t And if w e d o so w e sh a ll .
, ,

immedi ately find o u t th a t it c a nn ot f or wh a tever du rati on

a th i n g h as r e s ul t s en t i r ely f r o m t h e pe rf ec t i o n o f th e t h i n g ,

a nd t h e m or e e s s ence a n d g o dline s s t h i n g s p o s s e ss th e ,

m or e l a st ing a re th ey th er e f or e a s th e De v il h as n ot th e ,

le a st perf ect i o n in h im h ow sh o uld h e th e n I th ink to

, ,

mysel f be a ble to exi st ? Add t o th i s th a t th e pe rs i st ence

, ,

o r du ra ti o n o f a m o de o f t h e t h inking t h ing o n ly r e s ul t s f ro m

th e uni o n in w h ich s uc h a m o de is t h r oug h l o ve j o ined t o , ,

G od . As t h e p r eci s e opp o s i t e of t h i s uni o n is s upp o s ed in

t h e c a se o f th e Devil s th ey c a nn ot p o s s ibly e xi st i
, .

As h o w eve r t h e r e is n o nece ss i t y w h at eve r w h y w e

, ,

sh ould p os i t t h e exi s t ence o f Devil s w h y t h en s h ould t h ey ,

be p os i t ed F or we need n ot like o th e rs p osi t Devil s in , ,

o r de r t o find [ in t h em c u e H a tr ed E nvy Wra t h

] t h e a s o f , , ,

a nd s uc h -like p as s i o n s s ince w e h a ve f o und t h i s s u fficien t ly

,

w i th o u t s uc h fic ti o n s .

I A not exi st : .

I 4S
 C HA PTE R X XVI

O N TR UE FR E ED O M
B Y the a ss e rt i o n p r ecede s I w e n ot only wa nt ed t o
of wh at
m ake kn o wn th at th e r e are n o Devil s b u t a l so indee d th at , , ,

t h e c a u s e s ( o r t o e xp re ss it be tt e r wh a t w e c a ll S ins) wh ic h
, ,

h inde r u s in t h e atta inmen t o f o u r pe r f ec ti o n ar e in ou r

s elve s . We h ave a l so sh ow n a l re a dy in wh a t p r ecedes , ,

h o w a n d in w h a t ma nner th r ough r e a so n a s a l so II t h r o ugh

,

t h e f ou rth kind o f kn ow ledge w e mu st at t a in t o ou r ble ss ed

,

ne ss a nd h ow th e p a ss i o n s wh ich are b ad a n d sh ould be

,

b a n i s h ed mu s t be d o ne awa y w i th : not as is c omm only '

u rged n a mely t h a t th e s e [ p ass i on s] mu st fi rst be s ubdued

, ,

bef or e w e c a n a ttai n t o th e kn ow ledge a nd c on sequen tly t o ,

th e l ove of G od Th a t w o uld be j u s t like in s i s t ing th a t s o me

, .

o n e w h o is ign or a n t mu st fi r s t f o rsa ke his ign ora nce be f o r e

h e c a n atta in to k n o w l e d g e III B u t [ t h e t r u th is ] t h i s
.
,

th a t o nly kn o wledge c a n c a u s e th e di s a ppe a ra nce t h e r e of

a s is eviden t f r o m a l l t h a t w e h a ve s a id S imil ar ly it m ay .
,

a l s o be c le arly g a th e r ed f r o m th e a b ove t h a t w i t h o u t Vi r t ue ,

o r ( t o exp r e ss it be tt e r) w i th o u t t h e guid a nce o f th e U nde r

s t a nding a l l t end s t o r uin

,
s o t h a t w e c a n enj o y n o r e s t
, ,

a n d w e live a s it w e r e o u t s ide o u r e l emen t

, , S o t h a t even .

if f ro m t h e p o we r o f kn o w ledg e a n d di vine l ove th e r e

a cc r ued t o t h e unde rst a ndi n g n o t a n e t e r n a l r e s t s uc h a s ,

w e h a ve s h ow n b u t o nly a t emp orary o n e it is ou r d u ty t o

, , l

I B : of t he p rec ed i ng c hap t er .

II B omi t s t hese four word s .

I II B c ont i nues t hus : b u t j ust k nowl edg e al one c an c ause t he

as

a nni h i l at i on of t h i (as i evi dent f o m

s s l l t h at we have sai d)r it a so

may l ike wi se b e c l ea l y g athe ed f om t he ab ove

r r r

1 44
 1 46 G O D , M A N, A ND H I S W E L L-B E I N G
H up to th e de s i r ed pl a ce , o r like a go od geniu s w h ich wi th ,

ou t a ny f a l s i ty o r decep t i o n b r ings u s t idings of th e

,

h ig h e s t g o o d in o r de r t h er eby t o s t imul a t e u s t o pu rs ue it ,

a n d t o bec o me u n i t ed w i th it w h ic h un i o n is o u r s up r eme
h a ppine ss a n d bli ss .

S o t o b r i n g th i s w ork t o a c o nclu s i on it r em a in s t o
, ,

i n dicat e b r iefly w h a t h um a n fr eed o m is a nd wh er ein it ,

c o n s i sts F or th i s pu r p os e I sh all m a ke u se o f th es e
.

f o ll ow ing p ro p o s i ti o n s a s t h ing s w h ic h are ce r ta in a n d

,

dem on s tra ted .

1 Th e m Ore e ss ence a t h i n g h as s o muc h m o r e ha s it

.
,

a l s o o f a c t ivi t y a n d s o muc h le s s o f p a s s i v i t y
,
F or it .

is ce r ta i n t h a t w h a t is a c t i v e a c t s t h r o ug h w h a t it h a s ,

a n d t h a t t h e th ing w h ic h is p a s s ive is a ff ec t ed th r o ugh w h a t

it h as n ot .

2 . All p as si v i ty th a t p ass e s fro m n o n-being t o being or ,

f r o m being t o no n -bei n g mu s t r e s ul t f ro m s o me ext e r n a l

,

a ge n t a n d n o t f r o m a n in n e r o n e : bec a u s e n o t h i n g c o n
, ,

s id e r e d by i t s el f c on tain s in i ts el f th e c o n di ti on s t hat w ill

,

e na ble it to a nni h il at e i ts el f w h en it exi sts or to cr e a te ,

i ts el f w h e n it d oes n ot exi s t .

3 . W h a t eve r is n o t p r o duced by ex t e r n a l c a u s e s c a n h a ve

n oth ing in c om m on w i th th em a nd c a n c on sequen tly be , , ,

nei th e r c h a nged nor tra n sf or med by t h em .

An d fro m t h e s e l a st t w o [ p o p os i t i on s ] I in f e r t h e fo ll o w
r

ing f o u r th p rop o s i t i o n

4 . Th e e ff ec t O f a n imm a ne n t o r inne r c a u s e ( w h ic h is a l l
o n e t o me ) c ann ot p o s s ibly p a s s aw a y o r c h a n ge s o l o ng a s

th i s c a u s e o f it r em a in s F o r s uc h a n e ff ec t ju st a s it
.
,

is n o t p r o duced by ex te r n a l c a u s e s s o a l so it c a nn o t be ,

c h a nged [ by th em ] f oll ow i ng t he th i r d p rop osi ti o n And .

s i n ce n o t h ing w h at eve r c a n c o me t o n aug h t excep t t h r o ug h

exte rn al c a u s e s it is n ot p ossible th at th i s e ff ec t s h ould be

,

li able t o peri sh s o l ong a s its ca u s e endu re s f oll owing th e

s ec o nd p r o p os i t i o n .
 O N T R U E F RE E D O M 1 47

5. Th e f r ee s t c a u s e o f a l l a n d t h at w h ic h is m ost a pp r o
,
N

p r ia t e t o G o d i s
,
t h e imm a nen t f o r t h e e ff ec t o f :t h i s c a u s e
depends on it in s uc h a w ay t h a t it c a n nei th er be n or be ,

understoo d w i th ou t it n or is it s ubj ec ted t o a ny o th e r c a u s e

,

it is m or e o ve r uni t ed w i th it in s uc h a w ay t h a t t oge th e r
, ,

th ey f or m o n e w h o le .

No w l e t u s j u st s e e w h a t w e mu st c o nclude f r o m th e
a b ove p ro p os i ti o n s In t h e fi r st pl a ce th en
.
, ,

I. S i n ce t h e e ss ence O f G o d is infini t e t h e r e f or e it h a s ,

a n i n fi n i te a c t ivi ty a n d a n infini t e nega t i o n o f p as s ivi t y

, ,

f o ll ow i ng t h e fi rs t p r op os i ti on a n d in c o n s equ e nce o f th i s , ,

t h e m or e t h at t h r o ug h t h ei r g r e at e r e ss ence t h ings a r e
, ,

u n i t ed w i th Go d s o much t h e m or e a l so d o t h ey h ave of
,

a c t ivi ty a n d t h e le s s o f p a s s ivi ty : a n d s o muc h t h e m or e

,

a l so a r e t h ey f r ee fr o m c h a nge a n d c or r upt i o n
* "
.

2. Th e t r ue U nde rst a ndi n g c a n n eve r pe r i s h f or in i t s el f

it c a n h av e n o c a u s e t o de s tro y i ts el f f oll o w i n g t h e s ec on d ,

p rop os it i on And a s it did n ot em a n at e f ro m exter n a l

.

c a u s e s b u t from G od so it is n ot su s cep tible to a ny c h ange

, ,

t h roug h t h em f o ll ow i n g t h e t h i r d p r op o s i t i o n
,
And since .

G od h a s p r o duced it im m edi a t ely a n d h e is o nl y I an inne r

c au se it f oll ow s nece ssa rily th a t it c a nn ot pe ri sh so l o ng
,

a s t h i s c a u s e o f it r em a in s f o ll o w i n g t h e f o u r th p ro p os i t i on
,
.

Now t h i s c a u s e o f it is et e r n a l t h e r e for e it is t o o , .

3 All t h e e ff ec t s o f t h e true unde r s ta nding w h ic h ar e

* "
.
,

u n i t ed w ith it a r e th e m ost excelle nt a nd mu s t be v alued

, ,

a b o ve a l l t h e o th e r s f or a s th ey ar e inne r e ff ec ts th ey m u s t ,

be th e most excellen t foll ow ing th e fi fth p rop os i t i o n a nd ,

bes ide s th i s th ey a re a l so nece ssar ily e ter n al becau s e t h ei r

, ,

cau s e is s uch .

4 . All t h e e ff ec t s w h ic h w e p r o duce O u t s ide o u rs elve s a r e

th e m or e pe rf ec t th e m ore t h ey a r e c a p a b l e o f bec o mi n g
,

u n i ted w i th u s s o a s to c on sti tu t e o n e a nd th e sa me n a tu r e
,

w i th u s f o r in t h i s w ay t h ey c o me ne a r e st t o inne r

I A : is n ot onl y .
 1 48 G O D , MAN, A ND H I S W E L L-B E I N G
h e ff ec ts F or example -if I t ea ch my neigh b ou rs t o l ove
.
,

ple as u r e gl ory ava r ice th en w h e th e r I my s el f a l s o l o v e

, , ,

t h e s e o r d o n o t l o ve t h em w h a t eve r t h e c as e may b e I , ,

de s e rve to be punish ed th is is cle ar Not so h ow e v e r w h en , .

, ,

t h e o nly e n d t h at I e n de a v ou r t o a t t a in is t o be a ble to t as t e ,

o f uni o n w i th Go d a n d t o b r ing f o r t h t r ue ide a s a n d t o m a ke

, ,

t h e s e t h ing s kn ow n a l s o t o my neig h b ou r s f or w e c a n a l l
p articip at e equ ally in t h i s h appi n es s a s h a ppen s w h en it ,

cre at e s in th em I t h e s ame de s i re t h at I h a ve th u s c a u si ng ,

th ei r II w il l a n d mine to be o n e a n d th e s a me c o n st i t u t ing
'

o ne a n d t h e sa me n a t u r e a g r eeing a l w ay s in a l l thin g s I II , .

Fr om a l l th at h a s been sa id it m ay now be ve ry e a sily

c onceived w h at is h um a n f r eed om 1 w h i c h I define t o be ,
'

th i s it is n a mely a fir m r e ali ty w h ic h ou r unde rs ta n ding

, ,

I A h im : .
II A h i : s .

I II I n t e d of t h e t h ee p ec ed i ng p
s a g ph B has t h e r r a ra ra s,

f ol l owi ng :

2A ( c o di ng t o P op osi t i on I I ) no t h i ng
. s ac r n b e a c u e of
r . ca a s

it own nni hi l t i o n no if it i not t h e e ffe c t of ny e xte n l

s a a ,
r, u s a r a ca se ,

20 c a n it ( c d i ng t o P p o i t i on I I I ) b e h ng ed b y u h b t
ac or ro s . c a s c , u

d i P op o i t i on I V ) t he e ff f n i n ne u
( a c
c o g rt n o t ro s c a c n . ec a r se a

n ei t he p w y n
r h ng e o l ng s t h i s
a ss a a ,u t he eof du 3
or c a s o a ca se r en re s

it f ol l ow t h t t he t u u nd e t nd i ng i n e it i p odu ed b y no
s a r e rs a ,
s c s r c

ext nal u b ut i mm di t el y b y G d i t h ug h t h i s u
er ca se , e a o ,
s, ro ca se ,

ete n l d i mmut ab l
r a an n ne i t h e pe i h n hang e b u t wi t h it
e, c a r r s or c , , ,

nec e s il y em in et e n l and l t i ng
sar r a s r a as .

3 S i n e t h i nne effe t
. c f n i mmane nt
e u e (a c o d i g t
r c s o a ca s c r n o

P op o i t i on V ) a e t he m o t exc el l nt f l l
r s . rl l th ff e c t s of t h e s e o a , a e e

t ue u nd
r t nd ing wh i h e rs a e u ni t e d t he e wi t h mu t al so be v l ued
c ar r , s a

3O above l l t he s a nd [mu st] ne ssa i l y b e e te nal wi t h t h i

a o r , au e ce r r e r c s .

W he nc e it fol l ow that s

4 The mo e p e fec t t h effec t s

. r wh i c h we p odu
r out i de u e a re r ce s s,

t h e mo e p b le r t h ey of be c o mi ng u n i t d wi th u
ca a a re o t e s s as o

c on t i t ut
s one nd t h e
e ame n tu e wi t h u a I t is thu wh en s a r s . s ,

1 Th e vi tude of a t h i ng c onsi t in b e i ng ub j ec ted to

e s r s s s

e xt e n l r u f e d m n th e c ont y in not b ei ng subj ec ted

a ca se s, r e o , o rar ,

t o t he m b u t f d f om t h e m
, re e r .
1 5 0 GO D, MAN AN D
,
H IS W E L L-BE IN G
th en l e t n o o th er aim p ro mp t you except only t h e h appine ss
o f y o u r neigh b o u r bei n g a t t h e sa me t ime cle ar ly a ss u r ed
,

by him th a t th e r ew a rd w ill n ot di s a pp o in t y ou r l a b ou r .

L a st ly if o n r e a di n g th i s th rough y ou sh ould meet w i th

, , ,

s o me d i ffi cul t y a b o u t w h a t I s t a t e a s ce r ta i n I be s eec h
, yo u
t h a t yo u s h ould n ot t h e r ef or e h ast en a t o nce t o r e f u te it ,

bef or e yo u h ave p on de r ed it l o n g e no ugh a nd tho ughtfully

en ough a nd if you d o th i s I f eel su r e th at yo u w ill a ttain to
,

t h e I enj o yme n t of t h e f r ui ts of th i s t r ee w h ic h y ou p r o mi s e
you rs elve s .

I B c onc l ude s d esi ed E ND

r .
1
54 GO D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-B E IN G

PR O O F

I f the r e a re tw o s ub sta nces th en th ey a re di st inc t a n d ,

c ons equen tly (Axi o m 2 ) I th ey a re di st ingui sh ed ei th e r

re a l iter o r moda l iter ; n o t modal iter f o r in t h at c a s e t h e ,

m o de s w ould by t h ei r n atu r e be p ri or t o t h e sub s ta n ce ,

w h i c h is c on tr a r y t o t h e fi r s t a xi o m th e r e f or e real iter a n d ,

c o n se q ue nt ly w h at is p r edicated o f th e o n e c a n n ot be
,

p r edic a ted o f th e oth e r w h ic h is w h a t w e i n tended t o ,

prove .

PR O PO S I TI O N 11

O ne ub sta nce c a nn o t be
s th e cau s e of the exi stence of

a n ot h e r s ub s t a nce .

PR O O F

S uc h a c a u se ; a nn ot c on ta in in i ts el f a ny th ing of s uch
a n e ff e c t ( Pr o p I ) beca u s e th e di ff e r ence betw een t h em is
.

r e a l a n d t h e r e f or e it c a n n o t Axi o m 5 ) p r o duce it II
, ( .

III PR O PO S ITI O N

E ve ry a t tr ibu t e o r s ub s ta n ce I I I is by n a t u r e infini t e ,
a nd

s up r emely pe r f ec t in it s kind .

PR O O F

No ub s ta nce is p ro duced by an oth e r ( Prop 2 ) a nd c onse

s .

que nt ly if it e xi s ts it is ei t h e r a n attr ibu te of God or it h a s

, , ,

bee n its o w n c a u s e o u ts ide G o d I f th e fi r st th e n it is .

,

nece ssar ily infini te a nd sup r emely pe rfec t in its kind s uch
, ,

I A g i ve s t heefe enc es t o Axiom nd P op osi tion in th

r r s a r s e

m g i n B in t h text
ar , e .

I I A dd exi t en c e) ; B a nd t h e efo e t h e on
( a s : s e c annot r r

p odu e the t he
r c o r .

II I A al l att i b ut es o sub stanc e B al l su b st anc e o it s at t i

: r r : r r

b ut es .
 A PP E N D IX I 1 55

a s a re a l l oth e r a t tr ibu t e s o f G o d I f t h e s ec o nd .
,
th en it is m
a l so nece s sa r ily s uc h bec a u s e ( Axi o m 6 ) it c o uld n ot h a ve
limi ted i ts el f .

IV PR O PO S IT I O N

To s uc h a n ex t en t d o e s exi s t e n ce pe r ta in by n at u r e t o
th e e s s ence of eve ry su b st a n c e I t h a t it is imp os s ible t o ,

p os i t in an in fini t e unde r st a nding t h e Idea of th e essence of

a s ub sta nce th a t d o e s n ot exi st in N a t u r e .

P RO O F

Th e tr ue e ssence of a n obj ect II 18 s o me th ing wh ich is

rea l iter di ff er e n t f r o m t h e I dea o f t h e s a me o bj ec t a n d th i s

s o me th ing exi s ts ( A xi o m 3 ) ei th e r rea l it er or is c o n ta ined in ,

s ome o th e r t h ing w h ic h exi s t s r ea l iter ; f r o m w h ich o th e r

t h ing t h i s e ss ence c a nn ot be di st ingui sh ed r ea l iter b u t ,

o nly moda l iter ; s uc h a re a l l t h e e ss ence s o f t h e t h ing s I II

w h ich w e s e e w h ic h be f o r e t h ey ye t exi s t ed w e r e a l r e a dy
,

c on ta ined in ext en s i o n m ot i on a nd r e st a nd w h en th ey d o
, , ,

exi st ar e n ot di stingui sh ed f ro m ex t en si on rea l iter b u t only ,

moda l iter M or e over it w ould inv olve s el f -c on tra dic t i o n t o

.
,

s upp o s e t h at t h e e ss ence o f a s ub s t a nce IIII is c o n t a ined th u s

in some ot h e r th ing ; beca u s e I n t hat c as e it c o uld n ot be

di stingui sh ed fr om th is real iter c o n trary t o t h e fi rst p rop os i ,

t i o n a l s o it c o uld in t h at c a s e be p ro duced by t h e s ubj ec t

,

w h ic h c o n t a in s it c o n t rary t o th e s ec o nd p r o p os i ti o n
, a nd

l a stly it c ould n ot by its n atu r e be infini te a n d s up r emely

,

pe rfec t in its kind c o ntrary t o t h e t h i r d p rop os i ti o n

, .

I A : to eve y essenc e
r of s ub sta nc e ; B : t o t he essenc e of a

s ub s t an c e .

II B : bj ec t of an idea
of t h e o .

II I B :e senc es o t hing s r s.

II II A t ha t an e senc e of t he ub st anc e ;
: s s B : t hat an essenc e
of sub stanc e .
1 56 GO D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G
Th e r e for e a s its e ss e nce is n ot c on ta ined in a ny
,
e
o th r

t h ing it mu s t be a th ing t h at exi s ts t h r o ugh i ts el f

,
.

C O R O LLAR Y

N atu r e is kn ow n th rough i t s el f a nd not th rough a ny

,

o th e r t h i n g I t c o n s i s ts o f infi n i t e attribu te s eve r y o ne o f

.

t h em i n fini t e a nd pe rf ec t in its ki n d to its e ss ence per ta in s

exi st ence so t h a t o u ts ide it th e r e is n o o th e r e ss ence o r
,

e xi st ence a n d it th u s c oincide s exa ct ly w i th th e e ss ence of

,

G o d wh o a l one is gl or i o u s a nd ble ss ed .
 1 58 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E LL-B E IN G
H in Th ought a n infini te I dea I w h ic h c o mp r e h e n d s obj ective ,

t h e w h o le of N at u r e j u s t a s it is r ea l it er .

2 I t is t o be O b s e r ved t h a t a l l th e r em a ini n g m o de s s uch

.
,

a s L o ve De s i r e Joy ,
de r i v e th ei r or igi n f r o m t h i s
, ,

fi r st immedi a te m o de a n d that t o o in s uc h w i s e t h at if it , , ,

did n ot p r e c ede t h e n th er e c ould be n o l ov e de s i r e n or

, , ,

&c Wh e n ce it c le arly f o ll o w s t h at th e n a t u r a l l ove

.

w h ic h p r omp t s eve ry th i ng t o p r e s e r v e it s b o dy ( I me a n t h e
m o de) I I c an n ot h ave a ny oth er or igi n th a n in th e I de a
or th e obj ec tive e ss ence of s uc h b o dy w h ich is in th e
t h i n king attr ibu t e Fu rth e r s i n ce f or t h e r ea l exi s t e n ce of
.
,

a n I de a ( or o bj ec t iv e e ss e n ce) n o oth er t h i ng is requi r ed

t h a n t h e t h inki n g a t tr ibu t e a n d t h e O bj ec t ( or f or m a l “
\

e ss ence ) it is ce r ta i n a s w e h av e s a id th at th e Ide a or th e
, , , ,

o bj ec t i v e e s s en ce is th e m os t immedi at e 1 m ode o f th e
” "

t h inking a ttr ibu t e A n d c o n s equen t ly t h e r e c a n be in

.
, ,

t h e th i n king a t t r ibu t e n o ot h e r m o de th a t S h o uld bel on g t o ,

t h e e s s e n ce o f t h e s o ul of eve r y II I t h i n g e xcep t o nly t h e ,

Ide a w h ic h mu st be in th e t h i n ki n g at tr ibu t e w h en its

,

o bj ec t e xi s t s f or s uc h a n ide a b r ing s w i th it t h e r em a ini n g

m o de s o f Love De s ir e ,
&c No w a s t h e Ide a c o me s
, .

f ro m th e e xi s t e n ce o f t h e o bj ec t t h e r e f or e a cc or ding a s t h e ,

o bj e c t c h a n ge s o r pe r i s h e s s o it s Ide a mu s t c h a nge o r ,

per i s h a n d s uch bei ng th e c a s e it is th a t w h ich is u n i t ed

, ,

w i th t h e o bj ec t IIII .

TI c al l t hat mode t h e mos t i m me d iat e mode , wh ic h , in or d r t oe

exi st , r e qui re s no o t h r mo d in t h e sa me a t t r i b t
e e ue .

I A : it ne c e s sa r il y fol l ows t h a t of a l l t h a t whic h is p rod u ced in

T ho ug h t t h i nfini t I d
ee r is an th t th e ea a e re is
p rod u d in t
ceh g h t n i nfini tou i d t he f a e ea re o

I I B mi t t h wo d in b ket
o s e r s ra c s .

II I A g l ij k n [l ik ] B i g el ij k n [ ve y]
’
: e e e e e r .

IIII B t hi i d f it mu t h ng e o p e i h in t h
so s ea o s c a r r s e sa me

d g e o m
e re rof h ng e
e a s u re nni h i l t i n
c b e use it i
a or a a o , ca s th s u
u n i t e d wi t h t h e bj e t O c .
 A P PE N DI X II 1 59

L a st ly if w e s h o uld w a n t t o p roceed a n d a sc r ibe to th e

,
!

o
n

e ss ence of th e So ul th at th r ough w h ic h it c a n be r e a l w e s h a ll ,

be a ble t o find n oth i ng el s e t h a n t h e a tt r ibu t e [Th o ugh t] a n d

t h e o bjec t of w h ich w e h av e j u s t bee n s pe a king a n d nei t h e r
o f t h e s e c a n bel o n g t o t h e e s s ence o f t h e S o ul a s t h e o bj ec t ,

h a s n oth ing of Th o ug h t a n d is r ea l iter di ff e r en t f r o m t h e

,

S o ul I
. A n d w i t h r eg ar d t o t h e a t tr ibu t e w e h av e a l s o ,

p ro ved a l r e a dy t h at it ca nn ot perta in to th e a b ove -me n t i oned

e s s e n ce a s a ppe ar s even m or e cle arly f r o m w h a t w e s a id
,

s ub s e q uen t ly ; I I f or t h e at t r ibu t e a s a tt r ibu t e I I I is n o t

u n i ted w i th th e o bj ect s i n ce it nei th e r c h a nge s n or per i sh es

, ,

a l th o ug h t h e o bj ec t c h a nge s o r pe r i sh e s .

Th e r e f or e t h e e ss e n ce o f t h e s o ul c o n s i st s in t h i s a l o ne ,

n a mely in th e exi st e n ce of a n Idea or o bject ive e ss e n c e

,

in th e th i n k ing a ttr ibut e a r i s i n g fr om th e e ssence o f a n

,

o bj e c t w h ic h in f a c t e xi s t s in N a t u r e I say of a n ob j ect .
,

whic h in fa ct exists & c w i th o u t m or e p ar t icul ar s s o a s t o

,
.
, ,

i n clude under th i s n ot o nly th e m o de s of exte n s i o n b ut a l so ,

t h e m o de s o f a l l t h e i n fi n i t e a ttr ibu t e s w h ic h h a ve a l so ,

e a c h its s oul j u st a s in th e c a s e O f ext e ns i on A n d in o r de r

,
.

t h a t t h i s de fin i t i o n m ay be s o me w h a t m or e f ully u n de r s t oo d ,

it s h o uld be b or ne in mind w h a t I h ave a l r e a dy s a id w h e n

S pe a king a b o u t t h e a t tr ibu t e s w h ic h I s a id a r e n o t di ff e r e n t
, , ,

a s r eg a r d s t h ei r e xis t e n c e II II f or th ey a r e t h em s elve s t h e
,

s ubj ec t s O f t h ei r e ss ence s a l s o t h a t t h e e s s e n c e O f ev e r y

o n e of t h e m o de s is c o n t a i n ed in t h e a b o v e -n a med a t t r ibu t e s ,

a n d l ast ly t h at a l l t h e a t t r ibu t e s are a tt r ibu t e s

*
, , of O ne

i n fin it e B ei ng Wh e r e f or e a l s o in th e ni nt h c h ap te r of t h e
.
,

Fi rst Pa rt I c a lled t h i s Ide a a c reation c re ate d immediatel y by

,

God s i n ce it c o n t a i n s ob j e c tive t h e f o m a l e s s ence o f a l l r

”

I B t he ob j
as t f Th ug h t h
ec o t hing t h eof b u t i
o as no er , s

r ea l iter d i ff e e nt f r m it ro .

II B wi l l b
as e n f m wh t w h l l y l t
e se ro a e s a sa a er .

I I I B mit t t i b ut
”
o s as a r e .

1111; B o mi t t h e ni ne wo d t h t fol l ow
s r s a .
 1 60 GO D , MAN AND ,
H IS W E L L-B E IN G
H
th in g s , I w i th o u t miss i o n or a ddi t i on And th i s is n e c e s
o .

s aril y b u t o n e c o n sider i ng th at a l l th e e ssence s of t h e

,

a t t r ibu t e s a n d t h e e ss e n ce s o f t h e m o de s c o mp r e h ended
,

in th e se a ttr i bu te s a re th e e ss e n ce of o ne o n ly i n fi n it e
,

being II B u t it h a s st ill t o be r em a rked th at th e se m ode s

.
,

n o w unde r c o n s ide ra t i o n e ve n w h e n n o n e o f t h em e xi st s
[ ] , ,

a r e n eve r th ele s s equ a lly c o mp r e h e n ded in th ei r a t tr ibu t e s

a n d a s t h e r e is n o inequ a li t y w h a t eve r in t h e a ttr ibu t e s n o r ,

y e t in t h e e s s e n c e s o f t h e m o de s t h e r e c a n be n o p a r t ic u ,

l a rity in th e ide a w h e n t h e r e is n on e in N a t u r e B u t as .

so on a s eve r s o m e o f t h e s e m o de s t a ke o n t h ei p a t i c ul a r r r

e xi s te n ce a n d t h e r eby bec ome in so me w ay di ff e re nt

,

f r o m t h ei r a t tr ibu t e s ( bec a u s e t h en t h ei r p a r t icul a r

exi st e nce w h ich t h ey h ave in th e a ttr ibu t e is th e su b

, ,
“

j ec t o i th ei r e s s e n ce) th e n th e r e S h ow s i ts el f a p a rt ic u
”
,

l ar it y in t h e e ss ence s o f t h e m o de s a n d c o n s eque nt ly in ,

o bj ec t i v e e ss e n c e s o f t h e s e w h i c h a r e n ece ssar ily

“ ”
th e
c o mp r e h e n ded in t h e Ide a I I I A n d th i s is t h e e a s o n w h y
. r

w e s a id in t h e defini t i o n t h a t t h e I de a I II I ari ses from

, ,

a n 0673 3 01 11111 w hic h e a l l y e xists in Na ta re

3 r A n d w i t h th i s .

w e t h i n k w e h a ve s u fficie n t ly e xpl a i n ed w h at k i n d o f a
t h i n g t h e s o ul is in ge n e r a l unde r s t a n di n g by t h i s e xp r e s ,

s i o n n o t o nly t h e I de a s w h ic h a r i s e f r o m t h e e xi st e n ce *

of
"
c or p or ea l m o de s b u t a l s o t h os e w h ich ar i s e f ro m th e
,

exi s t e n ce of e v e ry m o de of th e r em a ini ng attr ibu te s .

I B I c al l e d the th n i ki ng a t tribut e, or t he un d e rs t an d

ing in t h e t h ink ing

‘

i
t h ng , a so n, p ro du t c , or c re a ti on c re a t e d

i mm d i t
e a el y by G o d , s nc e i it i
c on t a n s t he o bj e t i ec v e sse nc e of

a l l t h i ng s

II B o mi t s th s i se n t e nc e ,
a nd c ont in u es : For it h as t o be
re ma r k ed

I II B : in t h e T h i nki n
g At t r b t e i u .

I I II B t h e sou l , t h e id e a , or o bj i
e c t ve e s s e nc e in t h e t h i nki ng
attr ib u te
( wh i ch is a l l o ne to me ) i
a r se s

I I I II B fro m t h e e ss e n c e o f a n o bj ec t
 162 GO D , MAN AN D ,
HIS W E LL-B E I N G
H ar si e s th e r efr o m a I di ff e re n ce o f f eeling (and th ence ari se s
t h e di ff e r en t kind of p a in w h ic h w e f eel w h en w e are str uck
in th e eye s or o n t h e h an d s w ith a c an e ) II And wh en it .

h a ppe n s t h at t h e e xt e r n a l c a u s e s w h ic h b r i ng a b ou t t h e s e,

c h a nges a re di ff e ren t f r om o ne a n oth e r a nd h av e no t a l l

, ,

t h e sa me eff ec t t h en t h e r e r e s ul ts f r o m t h i s a di ff e rence -O f
,

f eeling in o n e a nd th e s a me p ar t (a n d fr o m t h i s r e sul t s t h e
diff e r ence of f eeli ng a c c or di n g a s o n e a n d t h e sa me h a n d is
s t r uck w i t h a piece o f w oo d o r o f ir o n) I I And aga i n .
, ,

if t h e c h a nge w h ic h o ccu r s in a p a r t r e s t or e s it t o its fi rs t

p rop orti o n of m o ti on a n d r est th er e ar i s e s f rom th i s t h at ,
*

j y
o w h ic h w e c a ll r ep os e ple a s u ra ble a c t ivi t y a n d c h ee rf ul

ne ss Last ly n ow t hat w e h av e expl a ined w

, ,

.
,
h a t f eeling is ,

w e c a n e as ily s e e h o w th i s give s r i s e t o a n I dea reflexiva o r ,

th e kn ow ledge o f o n e s el f E xpe r ience a n d R e aso ning

,
And .

f ro m a l l t h i s (a s a l s o bec a u s e o u r s o ul is uni t ed w i th G o d ,

a n d is a p a r t o f t h e infini t e Ide a ar i s ing immedi a t ely f r o m ,

G o d ) t h e r e c a n a l s o be cle ar ly s ee n th e or igin o f cle a r

kn ow ledge a n d t h e imm ortali ty of th e s oul B u t f or th e
,
.
,

p resen t wh at w e h ave sa id m u st be en ough

, .

sa me e
e ff c t , th ee r re s ul t s t he re from a i
d ffe re nc e of fe e l i ng in on e

ei e
.

a nd the sa me p art : s uc h a s we e xp r e nc e wh e n t h e sa m h a nd is
st r uc k wi t h p i a e c e of wo od or o f i ro n . Bu t wh e n t h e c h a ng e wh i ch

oc c u i om p
rs n s e ar t r e e
st or s it t o it s p re v i us p
o ro
p or t on o fi mo ti on

a nd t th e
re s , i er a r se s

I A: t he .

II A g ive s t he word s in b rac k e ts i mmed i a t e l y a ft e r hap p e ns .

C O M M E NT A R Y
 S e v e ral of t h e c onc e p t i i
on s wh c h a re e it h e r ta c it l y t ak e n

u p or e x p re ssl y de fine d b y S p in oza a re no l on g e r f a m l ii ar

to u s , a nd have t o b e i
l e a r ne d l k e t h e v oc a b u l a ry o f a

i
f ore g n t ong u e ; wi t h t h dd i t i
e a on a l d i sa d va n t a g e t h at
o u r c omm o n E n gl i h
s p pli
su e s no c or re sp on d ng i t e rm s ,
t he v e ry m ou l d s h i gb b
av n een r ok e n a nd c a s t aw a y in
wh i ch t h e t h o u g h t s w e re sh a p e d .
”
— MA R TI N EAU .
1 66 GO D, MAN AN D
, H IS W E LL-BE I N G
sequen tly c ov e r ed in th e Fi r st Part of th e E thics ( D e D eo) .

Th i s a n d o th e r r e s embl a n c e s t o th e E thic s n a t u ra lly s u g

ge st ed t h at th e S hort Tr ea tis e w a s a n e arly d raft of th e
E thic s M o nn ikh off a c tu a lly p u t E thic a o n t h e t i t le -p age o f
.

B a n d t h e S hort Trea tis e is s o me t ime s r e f e rr ed t o a s t h e

,

s m a ll E thic s
“ ”
.

C HAPTE R I
15 . Th e peni n g is r em a k ably a b rupt Th e exp re ss i on
o r .

a s r eg ar d s th e fi r s t s ugge s t s a p r e cedi n g e n ume ra t i o n

o f t o pi c s a b o u t t o be di s cu ss ed b u t n o s u c h e n ume rat i o n ,

is gi v e n u n le ss it be o n t h e t i t le -p a ge o f t h e Treatise
, ,

n a mely God M a ri & c

, ,
M o nnik h off t r ied t o a vo id t h i s
, .

c r udi ty by s ub s t i t u t i n g th i s
”
f or t h e firs t
“
Bu t t h e “
.

a b r up t n e s s r em a i n s a n d is t h e m or e s tr iking bec a u s e s o
,

ma ny o f t h e oth er c h ap te rs begi n w i th an enumera t i on of

th e t opic s t o be di s cu s s ed Fr eude nth a l h as s ugge st ed th at
.

t h e or igi n a l o pe n ing m ay h av e bee n a s f o ll ow s M a n h as

a n ide o f G o d a s a B ei n g c o n s i s t ing o f infini t e at t r ibu t e s
a ,

e a ch o f w h ich is i n fin i t ely pe rf ec t in its kind Fi r s t w e .

,

w ill s h ow t h a t s uc h a B ei n g e xi st s a n d t h en w e sh a ll give ,

o u r vie w s a s t o w h a t He is A s r eg a r d s t h e fi rs t
.

Th i s c o nj e c t u r e is b as ed p a r tly o n t h e s e c o nd s en t e n ce in
c ha p te r ii wh ich s eem s to h ave bee n mi spl aced
.
,
.

I t is n o t e w or th y t h at S pin o a begin s w i t h p r oof s tha t z

G od is a n d o n ly t h e n p r o c eed s t o de t e mine wha t H e is

,
r .

Th e r e a s on m ay h a ve bee n t h i s H e w a s t ea c h ing pe ople .

w h o w e r e a l r e a dy f a i r ly f a mili a r w i t h th e f und a men t a l s of

t h e C a rt e s i a n p h il os op h y H e th e r e fore c ommenced w i th
.

t h e C a r t e s i a n p r o of s o f G o d s e xi st ence a n d g ra du a lly led

’

up to h is ow n c omp ara ti vely stra nge c on cep t i o n of G od .

T h i s k i n d o f ped a g o gic m e t h o d is n o t unc o mm o n in t h e

h i s tor y o f p h il o s o p h y Ka nt e g s t a rt ed f r o m th e t h en
.
, . .
,

cu r r e n t p sych ol ogy a nd g ra du a lly led up t o ve ry di ff er en t ,

a lm o s t s ta r t ling r e s ul t s .
 CO MM E N TA R Y 167

Th e p r oofs t h em selve s are m a i nly (th o ug h n ot a l toge th er)

C ar t e s i a n (S e e M edita tions I I I a n d V a n d t h e Appe ndix
.
,
. .
,

in t h e t r a n sl a t i o n o f De sc ar t e s M ethod by j oh n ’
&c ,
.
,

Vei t c h) U n like De s cart e s h ow eve r S pi n oza a tta c h e s th e

.
, ,

gr e a t e st w eig h t t o th e a p riori argume n ts .

1 5 5 A p rior i
, . An a rgu m en t is s a id t o be a p iori w h e n
. r

it p r o ceed s f rom t h e c h a r a c te r o f a t h i n g to its implic a ti o n s ,

f r o m c o n di t i on s t o c o n s eque n ces o r f r o m c a u s e s t o e ff ec t s ,
.

I t is s a id t o be a p oster ior i w h en it p r o ceed s f r om c o n s e

q u e n c e s t o c o n di t i o n s o r f r o m e ff e c
, t s t o c a u s e s T h e s e .

t e r m s a l s o h av e ot h e r me a n i n g s b u t n ot in S pin o a ,
z .

1 5 6 fl Th e u n de rlyi n g t h o ugh t is exp r e s s ed in S pin oza s

’

, .

P r inc ip ia P hil os ophia C a rte sia n a I D e f ix Wh e n w e ,

. . .
“

say t h a t s o me t h i n g is c o n t a i n ed in t h e n a t u r e or c on cep t o f

a ce r t a in t h ing t h a t is t h e sa me a s sa ying t h at it is t r ue of
,

th at t h ing o r t h a t it c a n be t r uly a ffir med o f th a t t h ing

,

1 5 7 Th e w o r d n atur e h e r e me a n s c h ara ct e r or
“ ” “
.
,

e ss e n ce . M or e c o mm only it me a n s t h e mat e ri a l w orld

”
,

o r (in S pin o z a a n d B r u n o e g ) eve n t h e e n t i r e u n ive rs e

, . . .

N ot e Tw a s i nt ended t o gu a r d a ga i ns t th i s a mbiguity .

E s s ence is o n e o f t h e m os t di fficul t t e r m s in
“ ”
15 1 3
, .

S pi n o z a s v o c a bul ary I n t h e C ogita ta M eta phys ic a it is

’
.

sa id t o be n o t h ing el s e t h an t h at m o de by w h ic h
c r e a t ed O bj ec ts a r e c ompr e h e n ded in th e at t r ibu t e s of G od .

B r iefly th e e ss e n ce o f a t h ing is it s S h a r e o f o r p a r t icip at i o n

, ,

in ul timat e r e a li ty I n t h e ca s e of G o d e s s e n ce a n d exi st
, .
,

en c e c oi n c ide I n th e c a se of oth er t h ing s th ei r e xi st ence

.

a s r el a t i v ely i n depende n t en ti t ie s is disti n c t fro m th ei r

e ss ence .

E t e r n i ty in it s st r ic t e r s e n s e d o e s n o t me a n i n c e ssa n t
, ,

du ra t i o n in t ime b ut r e ali ty i n depe n dent ly of time or

,
”

beyo nd it .

15 1 6
,
. Th e exi s t e n ce of G od is e s s e n ce C o mp a r e .

M a im onide s Gu ide of the P erpl exed I l vii

’
I t is k n ow n ,
. .

t h at e xi st e n ce is a n a cciden t qu ality ] a ppe rta i n i ng t o al l

168 GO D, MAN AND ,
H IS W E L L-B E IN G
th i n gs a n d th e r e for e a n elemen t supe r a dded t o th ei r e ss ence
, .

Th i s m u s t ev ide n t ly be t h e c a s e a s r egar d s eve r yth i n g th e

exi ste n c e of w h ic h is due to s ome c a u s e ; its exi st e n ce is
a n elemen t s upe r a dded t o it s e ss e n ce B u t as r eg a d s a . r

bei n g wh os e exi ste n ce is n ot due to a ny c a u s e God —

a l o n e is t h a t bei n g f or H is e xi st e n ,
ce a s w e h ave sa id is , ,

a b s o lu t e— e xi s t e n ce a n d e ss en ce are pe rf ec t ly ident ic al .

He is not a s u b sta n c e to wh i c h exi st ence is j oi n ed a s a n

a cci d e n t a s a n a ddi t i o n a l elemen t
,
H is e xi st ence is a l w a y s
.

a b s o lu t e a n d h as n e v e r bee n a n e w eleme n t or a n a ccide n t

,

in H im F n l i p
” ’

( r ie d l an d e r s t r a s a t o n 2 n d e d ,
.
,
.

15 2 1 f S u c h me r ely ve r b al a l t e r n a t i o n s S h ow t h at t h e
, .

Tr e at i s e w as n eve r p r o pe r ly edi t ed Cf 25 3 1 . .
, .

Th e illu strat i o n is th e sa me a s in De s c a rt e s fi f t h M edita

’

tion .

16 , 2 . e fer e n ce-m ark 1 is a pp ar en tly mi s pl a ced

Th e r
‘

becau s e th e n ote r e f e r r ed t o r eally f oll ow s up th e p r ecedi n g

a p r ior i a rgu m en ts a n d t h e r e f or e bel o n g s t o 15 1 7
, ,
.

1 6 3 F or ma l iter
,
. a c tu a lly o r o bj ec t i v ely (in th e m o de r n

s e n s e) Th e ide n t ifi c at i o n o f f orma l is a n d a c tu a l is in
.

medieva l p h il os op h y w a s due to t h e i n fluence o f A i sto r

t e l ia n is m Acc or di ng t o Ar i stot le i n div idu a l t h i n gs a e

.
,
r

c omp ou n d s of M a tter a n d F orm a n d F or m is th e m or e ,

imp orta nt o f th e t wo M atter is th e a s ye t impe rf ec t or th e

.

mer ely p ot en t i a l w h ich r equir e s F or m t o m ake it a ct u al

,
.

H ence du r i ng th e s up r em a cy of A r i st ot eli an p h il os op h y in
th e Middle Age s M a tt e r w a s ide n t ified w i t h P ot en t i a li t y
,

a n d F o r m w i th Ac t u a li t y s o t h a t f or ma l is ,
a c tu a l is .

in t h ough t o r s u bj e c tivel y ( in t h e
”
16 9 , O bj ec tive
.
“
,

m ode rn s e ns e) Th e p r e s e nt u se of th e te rm s s ubj ec tive

.
”

o bj ec t i ve is t h e r eve r s e o f f or me r u sage By
“
a nd .

s ubj ec t u ed me
”
b i t h a nt th e
“
( j
s u e c tu rn b w x p ) s o so e
evov

s ub s tr a t e o r c o n c r e t e r e a li t y s upp o r t ing o r u n de rlyi ng

it s p r ope rt ie s a n d h ence a l s o th e s ubj e c t o f p r edic at i o n
, ,

bec a u s e in p r edic ati o n th e s e p r o pe rt ies or qu a li ties a r e

1
70 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E L L-B E I N G
a n o th er a tt r ibu t e ( exi st ence in th i s c as e) Th e o bject i on t o
, .

t h i s is t h a t t h e implied a ddi t i o n a l a tt r ibu t e m ay be t r ue of

t h e Ide a b u t n ot o f t h e I dea tu m
,
A n d th i s is m e t by t h e
.

a rgume n t t h a t t h e new a tt r i b u t e l s I n f err ed fro m t h e

o t h er ( e s s e n t i a l ) a t tr ibu t e s a n d if it is t o be p r edic a t ed a t
,

a l l c a n o n ly be p r edic a t ed o f t h a t w h ic h h a s th o s e o t h e r

( e s s en t i a l ) a t t r ibu t e s
. N o w t h e I d e a is n ot a c t u a lly c o m

p os ed ( ma teria l iter ) of th os e attributes or qu a lit ies ; th e se

r e a lly pe rt a i n t o t h e I d ea tu m If t h e r e f o r e t h e n e w a ttr ibu t e
.
, ,

( exi s t e n ce ) f o ll o w s a t a l l f r o m t h e o t h e r s it mu st be p r e
;
d ic a t e d of th e I dea tu m n ot of t h e I de a w h i c h is ma ter ia l iter
, ,

s o u n like t h e I d ea tu m t h a t t h e s a me a tt r ibu t e s c a n n ot be

a ffi r m ed o f b oth Th i s a rgume n t d oe s n ot p r ove th e

.

a c c u ra cy o f th e o n to l ogic a l p r oo f ; b u t it s eem s t o h a ve
been dir ect ed o n ly a ga i n st th e h al f -h e art ed a ccep ta nce of it
a s v a lid in so f a r a s t h e I d e a o f G o d w a s c o nce r n ed .

‘
1 7 3 3 f I n o pp o s i t i o n t o De s c ar te s S pi n oz a m a in t a in s
, .
,

t ha t m a n c ould n ot of h im s el f p r o duce a n y ide a w h at ev e r .

Th e elemen ta r y c o ns t i tue nt ide a s e v en of fic t i on s mu st h ave

b ee n c a lled f ort h in m a n by ex t e r na l c a u s e s Des ca r te s o nly.

i n s i s ted th a t m a n c o uld no t p r o duce th e ide a of God ;

S p in o a ext e n ds th e de n i a l t o a l l ide a s
z C o mp a r e 1 6 1 8 fi
.
, .

o bj ec t ive e ss ence th e
“
18 5 E s s entia obj ec ta
,
. or

e ss e n ce of a t h i n g a s r ep re s e n ted in th ough t Th e c orr e .

s p o n d e n c e be t w ee n a n id ea a n d it s id ea tu m o r O bj ec t is , ,

de sc r ibed in th e l a ngu age of sc h ol as tic p h il o sop h y a s a kind

o f tw o -f o l d exi st en c e o f th e e ss e n c e of th at o bj ec t Th e
”
.

esse n c e exi st s forma l iter ( a ctu ally ) in th e individu a l c onc r e t e

t h ng ; I t e xi s t s obj ective or h a s o bj ec t i v e ess ence in
“ ”
i , ,

th o ug h t (a s a n idea ) .

1 8 8 F or ma l iter— emin enter

,
. Th i s s c h o l a st ic a n t i t h e s i s
.

h a s r e f e r e n ce t o t h e r el a t i on of a c a u s e t o its e ff ec t I f th e .

ca u se c o n ta ined m or e r eali ty or gr eat er pe rf ec ti on tha n it s

eff ect t h en it w a s s aid t o be a n eminent c a u se or t o p ro
, ,

duce its eff ect eminenter or modo eminentiori In t h i s w ay .

,
 C O M M E N TA R Y 171

e g. .
, God
( cc o r di n g t o Dea s c ar t e s ) is th e eminen t c a use “

o f t h e h um a n mind B u t if o n t h e o th e r h a nd th e c a u s e
.
, ,

c on t a ined o n ly a s much ( it c a nn ot of c ou rse c ont a i n le ss) , ,

perf ec ti o n as its c a u s e it was s a id t o h ave p r oduced it ,

formal iter or s ec undum c andem f orma m Th u s e g th e .

, . .
,

p r e ss u r e of a f oot w a s s a id t o c a u s e a f oot p r i n t formal iter

Th i s u s e of formal iter is di ff e r en t f r o m t h at e xpl a i n ed in t h e
p r ecedi ng n ote .

Th e w o r d s t h o ug h n ot e min e nter“
o u t s ide h im

s eem t o be b ot h i r r elev a n t a n d i n a ccu rat e Poss ibly th ey .

a r e o n ly a r e a de r s c o mme n t It is not cle ar w h y G o d s

’ ’
.

s up r eme ex c ellence s h o uld p r eve n t H is bei n g t h e e min ent

ca u s e of o ur ide a of H im T h e opp osi te vie w w o uld s eem .

m or e r eason a ble Pro b a bly it is implied t h at th e idea of

.

God c o nt a ins a s muc h per f ec t i o n obj ec tive a s G o d h as

formal iter ; its c a u se th e r ef or e c an on ly be formal n ot , , ,

e min ent bec a u s e n oth ing ( n o t eve n G o d H i m s el f ) is mor e

,

pe rf ect f orma l iter th a n it (th e idea of G od ) is obj ec tive .

18 1 3 P eg a s u s f or in s t a nce
,
. Cf De sca r t e s M ed V
,
. .
, . .

18 2 3 S u bj ec tum— see n ot e t o 1 6 9
,
.
,
.

l 9 3 A ttribu tes
, . Th e exp r e s si o n is h e r e u s ed in it s m or e
.

u s ua l me a n ing n ot in t h e st r ic t e r s e ns e in wh i c h it is
,

generally empl oyed in S pi n oz a s w ri t ings He n ce n o te T ’

. .

I n t h e s tr ic t e r s en s e of t h e t e r m a t tr ibu t e o n ly t w o
“

a tt r ibu t e s o f G o d or N at u r e a r e kn ow n t o u s n a m ely , ,

E xt en s i o n a n d T h o ug h t E a c h o f t h e s e is a su mmu m g e n u s
.
,

a n d is n ot der ived f ro m a nyth ing el s e Pr o pe r tie s .

“ ”

( pr op ria o proprieta tes) ar e der iva t ive t h ey f oll ow fr om th e

r ,

a tt r ibu t e s Th e a t tr ibu te s
. r e f e rr ed t o in t h e t ex t a r e a s ,

n ot e I expl a in s on ly p r o pertie s b e c a u s e th ey a re n ot
'
“ ”
, ,

s umma g en er a t h ey are n o t ,
s ub s t a n t i a l o r s el f-depe n den t ,

b u t imply t h e a t tr ibu t e s w h ic h c o n s t i t u t e s ub s t a n ce
“ “ ”

or t h e s el f-d epe n den t r e a li t y ( G o d o r N a t u r e ) .

20 1 5 C a u sa su i
,
. t h e s el f -e xi s t e n t Th e exp r e s s i o n is .

a w k w ar d a n d mi s le a ding S pin o z a did n ot i n ven t it ; it w a s

.
1 2
7 GO D . MAN AN D,
H IS W E L L-B E I N G
p ar t o f th e p h il os o p h ic al vo c a bul ary of h is t ime a n d h ad ,

bee n in u s e f or m a ny c e ntu ries bef or e th at It w a s p r ob a bly .

s ugge s t ed or igi n a lly by t h e P l a t o n ic e xp r e s s i o n E b w ii a vr x o v

.

S t i c t ly s pe a k i n g th a t w h ic h is c a u sa su i o r it s o w n “
r , ,

c a u s e r e ally h a s n o c a u s e a t a l l S pi n o a h im sel f h as
,
. z

p o i n t ed ou t t h e a b s u d imp l ic at i o n of t h e p hras e c au sa sui

r .

I t s eem s t o imply t h at s o me th i n g w h i c h did n ot exi s t c o uld

y e t o pe a t e in s uc h a w a y a s t o b r ing i t s el f in t o e xi s t e n ce
r

( see 1 1 43, 6 fl ,
and 1 46 , 18

20, 1 7. m a s A q ui n as
Th o 1 225 c alled D oc tor
a n ge l ic a s b r o ugh t a b o u t t h e m o s t in t im at e f u s i o n be t w een
,

Ar i s tot eli an i sm a n d C ath olici s m H is favou r i t e a rgume n t for

.

t h e exi s t e n ce o f G od w a s t h e A r i s t ot eli a n a p osteriori argu

‘

m e n t th a t t h e exi st e n c e o f M o ti o n implied th e exi st e n c e of

a n o r ig i n a l u n m ov ed M o ve r Th e p a ssage re f err ed to is
.

p r ob a bly S u mma The ol ogiw 1 ii 2 ,

. . .

20 2 4 f T h e r e st o f t h i s n ot e s eem s t o be qui t e i rr elev a n t

, .

h e re . A give s it in its p ro pe r c ont ext 22 1 2 fl , ,

.

II
C HAPTE R

21 4 fl Th i s c h a p t e r begi n s im m edi a t ely w i th a defin it i on

, .

o f G o d b u t w i th o u t a n y i n dic a t i o n a s t o t h e w a in w h ic h
, y
t h e defi n i t i o n h a s bee n arr ived a t N ot e I h ow eve r make s
.
, ,

it c le a r t h at S pi n o a r e a lly s t a r t ed w i t h t h e t ra di ti on a l c o n
z

c e p t io n o f G o d a s E n s p erf ec tiss imu m o r t h e m o st pe r f ec t ,

“

B ei n g ( s ee li n e s 1 8 a n d devel o ped his c o ncep t i o n f ro m it

”
.

It is n ot ew o r th y t h a t t h e defi n i t i o n o f G o d given h e r e d o e s -

n ot de s c ibe Him a s S ub s ta n ce a s d o e s t h e l a t e r d e fin i
”
r ,

t i o n in t h e E thic s H er e th e defini t i o n of G od is f oll ow ed

.

up by a n I n depe n de n t tr e a t me nt of th e n o ti o n S ub sta n ce
( l i n e s 9 fl ) a n d it is th e n m a de a ppa r e n t t hat t h e t w o n ot i on s
,

Go d a n d S ub s ta n c e c o nve r ge .

21 9 S pi n o a begi n s h is a cc o un t of
,
. z s ub s ta n ce w i th
“

o u t de fin i n g w h a t h e me a n s by th a t t e r m H e eviden tly .
1
74 GO D , MAN AN D,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
o nly c o nfining it to s ub sta nces ( in the C artes i a n s en se ) or
at t r i b u t e s A c r e ated o bj ect ( he sa ys th e re ) is o ne w h ic h
” “
.

p res upp ose s f or its exi st ence n oth ing excep t Go d M o de s .

”

a n d a cciden t s p r e s upp o s e a l s o t h e a tt r ibu t e s or s ub st a n ce s

E x t en s i o n a nd Th o ug h t Th ey a re c o n s eque n tly n ot
.

c r e at ed b u t ge n era ted O n ly t hat h as been crea ted

,
” “
.

wh os e e ss ence is cle arly c o nceived even w i t h o u t exi st e n ce ,

a n d is c o nce i ve d m o r e o ve r p er s e — E xt en s i o n is given a s
, ,

a n in s ta nce As soo n a s S pin o z a iden tified E x t en s i o n

. ,

Th o ug h t a nd a l l oth e r (unkn ow n ) a tt r ibu t e s w i t h G o d

, ,

t h e r e w a s n o r o o m f or t h i s n o t i o n o f c r e at i on excep t ”
, ,

perha p s in th at i na ne s en s e in w h ic h it is S till implied in t he

,

exp r e ssi o n c ausa sui He n ce t h e deni a l of c r e at i o n in

.
“ ”

th e p r e s e n t t r e a t i s e And th e e ssence s of th ings t h ough

.
-
,

des cr ibed in th e C ogita ta M eta physic a as h a vi ng been

c re ated mu st h e re be regarded s imply a s e t er n al Tra ce s
,
.

of th e e a r lie r belie f in c re ati o n are h ow ever still ob s e rv , ,

a ble in t h e Treatis e pp 2 4 5 7 , .
, .

24 2 4 fl Cf M a im o nide s Guide ( I I xx p
’ “
, . . Th e . . .

s e r ie s o f c a u s e s end s w i t h t h e Fi rst C a u s e f r o m w h ic h ,

eve ry th i ng de r ive s its exi s tence s ince it is imp ossible th at,

t h e s e r ie s sh ould c on t inue in infinitum He r e t h en ”

.
, ,

S pin oza a g r ee s w i th M a im o nide s a nd w i th th e A r i st ot eli a n s

,

generally tha t th e ca u sa l s e r ies c a nn ot co ntinue in infinitum

, .

B u t h is vie w s c h a nged s ub s equen t ly a n d in h is 1 2 th Le tt e r ,

we find S pin o za p r a i s ing Ra bbi H as d a i C r e s c a s f or f u rn i sh

ing a n a rgume n t fo r t h e exi st ence of God i n depende n tly ,

o f t h e s upp o s ed im p os s ibili t y of s uc h a n infini t e c a u sa l

r eg re s s i o n .

24 3 0
, . Th i s O nly s ub sta n c e
“
S pin oz a d oe s n ot s ay
.

w h a t s ub st a nce h e me a n s b u t h e eviden tly iden t ifie s it w i th

,

G od .

241, 3 1ubs tance or a tt r ibu t e Th e exp r e ssi o n is n ot e

. S .

w ort h y Wh en w r i ting th e S hort Trea tise S pin o a w a s st ill

. z

ve ry much unde r th e influe nce of C art e s i an n o mencl atu re .

 CO MM E N TA RY 1 75

H e w as ill inclined to spe ak o f E xte ns i on a nd Th ough t

st

a s s u bsta nc e s It s eemed to h im a m att e r of indi ff e r e n c e

. .

w h e t h e r t he s e w e r e de s c r ibed as s ub s ta nce s or a s “
a ttr i

but e s ; h e u s ed ei th er te rm a nd s o me t imes b oth in c o n

”
,

j unc ti on a s h er e (see e g 28 1 3 29 5 3 4 2 fl 1 5 4
, ,
. .
, , , , .
,

A t t h i s s ta ge in f a c t h e defi n ed a ttr ibu te in th e s a me “ ”

, ,

t e r m s a s h e s ub s equen t ly defined s ub s ta n ce I n h is 2 n d .

Le tt e r ( 1 6 6 1 ) h e defi n ed a ttr ibu t e as w h a teve r is c on “

c e iv e d th ro ug h i t s el f a n d in i t s el f s o t h a t th e c o ncep t i o n t h e re
,

o f d o e s n ot inv olve t h e c o ncep t i o n of a ny th ing el s e He ”

.

illu strated h is me a ning by c omp a r ing E xt en si o n wi th m oti on .

E x ten s i o n c a n be c onceived t h r o ug h i t s el f a n d in i t s el f a n d ,

is t h er efor e a n at t r ibu t e m ot i o n o n t h e oth er h a nd c a nn ot , ,

be c o nceived w ithou t E xt en s i o n ; it is t h e re for e not an

a ttr ibu t e b u t o nly a m o de o r m o difica t i o n O f a n a ttr ibu t e
, ( )
( E xt en s i o n ) I n h is 9 th Lett er ( 1 6 6 3 ) S pin oza defi n ed
s ub s ta nce in th e sa me t e r ms a s th e p receding defini t i o n
“

a ttr ibu t e a nd explici tly iden t ified t h e t w o

“ ”
of ,
By su b .

s ta nc e I me a n t h a t wh ic h exi s ts in i ts el f a nd is c o ncei ved ,

th ro ugh i ts el f ; t h at is th e c on c ep t i o n w h e r e of d oe s n ot
,

inv olve t h e c o ncep ti on of a nyth ing el s e I mea n th e sa me .

by a ttrib ute excep t t hat it is ca lled a ttribute w i t h re spect to

,

t h e in t ellec t w h ic h a s c r ibes a ce r ta in c h a ra c te r t o s u b
s ta nce Th i s S pin oza a dded w ill expl a in w h at h e me a nt
”
.
, ,

by u si ng th e exp r e ssi on s ub st a nce or at tr ibu te B riefly

,
.
,

s ub s t a nce s imply c o n s i s t s o f it s a tt r ibu t e s

” ”
b u t of a l l “
,

o f t h em ; w h ile e a c h a ttr ibu t e is o nly o ne (ul t im at e a nd

“

r e al ) a s pec t o r f e at u r e o f s ub s ta nce Th e t ota li ty of

“
.

a ttr i b u t e s is th e r e f or e iden t ic a l w i th s ub s ta nce a n d S pin oz a ,

a cc ord ingly f el t a t libe rt y t o s pe a k so me time s a s t h o ug h h e

ign or ed th e di ff er ence be tw een s ub s ta nce a nd attri “ “

bu te Th i s h ow eve r o ccasi o ned so me di fficul ty a mong

.
"
, ,

his di s ciple s a nd f r iend s H e th e r e f or e even tu a lly a d op t ed

.

t h e s tr ict e r di st inc t i o n f o und in t h e E thic s B u t eve n t h e .

E thic s st ill r e t a in s tra ce s of t h e e arlier a nd l axer usa ge in

1
76 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E L L -BE I N G
E thic s, 1 . l h e s pe ak s o f extended sub sta nce a s
xv . S c ho .
,

o n e o f t h e in fini t e a t tr ibu t e s o f G o d
"
.

25 2 ,
Wh at S pin oza me a nt by th e argu ment fro m th e
s implici ty of G o d s w ill may be expl a i n ed by t h e f oll ow ing
’ ”

p a ssa ge in M a im onide s Guide of the P erpl exed ( I I xiv ) ’

. .

An a gent is a c t ive at one t ime a nd in a ct ive at a n oth er ,

a cc or di n g as t h e ci r cum s ta nce s a re f a v o u ra ble o r un fav ou r

a ble . As h ow eve r G od is n o t s ubj ec t t o a cciden ts

, ,

w h ic h c o uld b r ing a b o u t a c h a nge in H is w ill a n d is n ot ,

a ff ec t ed by o b s ta cle s a n d h ind ra nce s th at mig h t a ppe a r o r

di sappe ar it is imp o ss ible th ey

,
t h o s e w h o m a in ta in,

t h e e t e r ni ty of t h e w or ld ] a r gue t o im agine t h at G od is ,

a c t ive a t o ne t ime a nd in a c t ive a t a n o th e r He I s o n t he .

,

c o n t rary a lw ays a ct ive in th e s ame ma n ne r a s H e is a l ways

,

in a c tu a l exis tence ( p ”
.

25 7 f Th i s is a di fficul t s en t ence
, . E n d a t mee r is 0 .
,
2

d oe nd e z o u d e n e r o n e y n d e l ijke z e l fs ta n d ig h e e de n mee r nie t

z ijn a l s e r z i n h e t w elke o n g e r ij mt is ui e li e lly ”
j , Q t t ra it .

me a n s ,
t h e r e w ould be n o m or e infini te s ub sta nce s
th a n th e r e are B y ta ki n g mee r a s t h o ug h it p r e “ ”

ceded o ne ynd e l ijke w e g e t t h e r e w o uld be m or e

,
“

infini te sub sta n ce s not in exi st ence th a n th e r e a re in ex ist

ence Th i s s eem s le ss unin telligible b ut its r eleva ncy is
.
,

n o t o bvi o u s P e rh a p s it w as o nly s ome r e a de r s m a r gin a l

’
.

c ommen t B omi ts it . .

25 9- 1 3 Th e iden t ific at i o n of N a t u r e w i th G od do e s n ot
,
.

a ppe ar t o be a pl a u s ible c o nclu s i o n f r o m w h a t p r ecede s .

Freuden tha l h a s suggested t h at t h i s sen t ence is in th e

w r o n g pl a ce a nd s h o uld f o ll ow immedi a t ely a f t e r line 1 2
,

on p 2 3 . .

25 1 4 fl Th e c o n s ide rati o n of o bj ec ti o n s w h ic h begi ns

, .

h e r e is r eg a rded by Ave na r iu s a nd S ig wa rt a s a l a t e r I n t er

p o l a t io n T h e .m a in a r gumen t t h ey sa y is c o n t inued o n , ,

t h e f o ll o w ing p a ge line 2 0 t h e in te r veni n g p a ra g ra p h s

, ,

being O bvi ou sly a digress i on B ut wh eth e r it is a l a te r .

1
7 8 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E L L-B E IN G
fl 3 . I t h as not ye t bee n s h o w n th at it is imp oss ible f or
s ub s t a nce s to begi
n to exi st n or is it sh ow n in t h i s Tre at i s e
as we no w h a ve it . S o me t h i n g s eem s t h e r e for e t o be , ,

mi ss ing .

27, 6 ub stan ce is n ot u s ed h er e in th e st ricter

fl .
“
S
s en s e b u t i n s t e a d o f a tt r ibu t e e ss en c e of th e
“ ” “ ”
Th e .

s ub s t a nce in h s tr ic t e r me a ning) d oes inv o lve

o ne
( t e
“
e xi st ence b ut w h en ei th er Th ough t or E xt en s i on is
,

c o n s ide red s ep arat ely th en we c a n c oncei ve it cle arly ,

w i th o u t a ss umi n g it s e xi s t ence ( cf C og M eta ph I . . . .

N ot e fl c orr ec t s th e l oos e empl oyme nt of th e w or d su b

“

s t a nce in th e t ex t .

28 1 fl De s c a r t e s e g
,
. a r gued t h a t ,
G o d c a n n ot be
. .
,
“

b o dy beca u se ex t e n s i o n involve s divi s ibili ty a nd t h i s

,
”
,

a g a in p a ss i vi ty wh ic h is a n impe f ec t i o n bec a u s e it implie s

,
r ,

dependence on s ometh i ng el s e ( Princ P hil 1 . . .

28 5 Th e a cc o un t of N a tu r e w h ic h f oll ow s in th e t ex t
, .

c o n ta in s m a ny t h oug h ts w h ic h are a l so f ound in th e w r i t

ings of G i or d a n o B run o S ee th e n ot e s to t h e fi rst .

Di al ogue ( p 1 8 3 .

28 6 ,
T h i n g s o f r e a so n
.
“
me re m ode s o f t ho ug h t .

I n t h e C og M eta jbh ( I i a n d iii ) S pi n oz a di s tingui sh e s as

. . . . .

f oll ow s be tw ee n a r e a l t h ing ( ens r ea l e ) a c h ime r a a t h i ng , ,

o f re a s o n ( ens r a ti onis) a n d a fic t i o n ( ens fic tu m) : A c himera

,

is o nly a ve r b a l exp r e s s i o n de n ot ing s o me t h ing wh ic h c a n

neith er be n or be c o nceived becau s e it inv olve s a s el f
, ,

c ontra dic ti o n a s qu ar e ci r cle ) a thing of rea s on ( o r a

merely l ogic a l en t i ty) is a m ode of thoug ht w h ich d o es not

exi st o u ts ide th e th i n king mind t h ough it may be a n im ,

p orta nt me a n s of r ep r e s en t ing extra -menta l rea l i ties

genera a nd species time numbe r a nd me as u r e ) a fic tion
, , ,

a t h ing of r e a s o n in s o far a s it is on ly a m ode of

“ ”
is ,

t h ough t ( or o f im a gi na t i o n ) a n d h as no c o rr e sp o nding r e a li ty
o u ts ide t h e mind ; b u t n o t a l l t h i ng s of r e a s o n a r e fic t i o ns “
,

o nly t h os e w h ic h inv o lve a r bi t rar y o r a cciden t a l im a gi n a r y

 CO MM E N TA RY 1
79

c o mbi n a t i o ns Th e S c h o l as t ic s did not a s a r u le di s ti ngui sh

.

be tw een res fiel d a nd entia ra tionis B u rg e rs dij c k de s c ribe s

-
.

b oth a s entia quorum e sse nihil a l iud est qua m intel l igi ,
”

t h at is a s me r e m o de s o f t h ough t
, .

28 7
, .N a tu r e is h e re u s ed in th e n a rrow e r a n d m o r e
u su al s e n se n a mely a s equiva len t to t h e physic a l w or ld
, ,
“

I n the w ide r s en s e peculi ar t o S pin oza a nd B r un o N atu r e ,

S ub sta nce t h e en t i r e U n ive r s e I n N a t u r e th u s r e

.

garded t h ings of r easo n h ave r e ali ty as m o de s of th o ugh t

,
‘

He n ce th e n ot e (li n e I n N a tu re t hat is in s ubsta n ti al , ,

exten s i on in th e s o-called S ub sta nce E xten si on or in ,

“
S ub s ta nce r eg a r ded s o lely unde r t h e a ttribu t e Ex “ ”

tension .

29 3 Th e vie w th a t wa t e r
, . c on s i sts of s tra igh t o bl ong
“

p article s is C ar te si an (M eteorol ogia I , .

s ub s t a n ce r e f e rr ed t o is th a t o f E x ten s i o n
”
29 2 4 Th e
, .

s ub s t a nce h e re a t t r ibu t e f n ote t o 24

“ — c of .
,

w h ic h w at e r is a m o de or mod ifiCation E x te ns i o n it
“
.
,

is h e r e m a in ta ined is a c ontinuu m
,
.

30 1
,
Wh a t is h e re sa id t o h ave been al r e a dy stated “

is fi r s t c o n s ide r ed in th e Di a l ogue s wh ic h f oll ow a n d in ,

ch ap ter iii App aren tly S ometh ing is mi ssing f r om t h e

.

preceding p a rt o f th e Treatise .

3 0 3 An imm a nen t o r inne r c a u s e is a c a u s e w h os e

”
'

.
,

e ffec ts a re c on fined w i th in i ts el f as di stingui sh ed f r o m a ,

t ra n s eun t o r t ra n s i t ive c a u s e w h ic h o pe r a t e s o n t h i n g s
“

o u t s ide i t s el f G od a cc or ding t o S pi n oz a is a n imm a “

.
, ,

ne nt c a u s e f or t h e sa me re ason th at h e is c ausa sui ,

n a mely bec au s e ou t side God t h ere is n oth ing a t a l l

,
“
,
”

w h e t h e r t o aff ec t Him or to be aff ec t ed by Him Th i s .

c oncep t i o n involve s o f c ou rs e the vie w th a t God is n ot

, ,

o u t s ide o r a b ove th e w o rld b u t in it ,

I n ot h e r w or d s .
,

S pi n o a s G o d is n o t a tra n sc endent b u t a n imma nent G o d

’
z .

A nd s i n ce t h e t ime of S pin o z a t h e d o c tr ine o f divine imm a

rie nc e h a s bec o me a c o mm o npl a ce a m o ng t h e o l ogi a n s o f a l l
1 80 G O D , M A N, A ND H I s W E LL-BE IN G
the chie f r eligi on s i nst e a d of bei ng m or e or le ss c o n fined
,

t o t h e m or e p r o n o unced my st ic s as it w a s t ill th e n , .

3 0 1 0 f Th i s illu s tr at i o n of a n imm a n en t c a u s e ( w h ic h
, .

is a l so r epe at ed o n p 34 line 3 0 ) s eem s u n f o r tun a t e b e.

, ,

c a u s e S pin oza say s di stinc tly ( 106 2 0 27 cf a l so p 3 7 n ot e) ,

. . .
,

t h a t th e U nde rs ta ndi n g is on ly a n a b s tr a c t i on it c a n n ot ,

th e r e for e c a u s e a n y t h i n g
, H a d S pi n o z a r evi s ed th e Treatise
.

fo r public a t i o n t h i s a nd s im il a f i n c o n s i s t encie s w o uld h a ve

been r em oved .

30 24,
If b o dy & c — th a t is if m a tt e r w e r e r e a lly s u b
.
,
.
,

sta n ce o r if s ub st a nce w e r e me r ely m att e r a n d h a d n o o th e r

, ,

a t t r ibu t e s & c ,
.

3 1 2 f In th e Tra c tatu s Theol ogic o-P ol itic a s ( xiii ) th e r e

,
. .

is a S imil a r di s tinc t i o n be tw een G o d s a b s o lu t e attr ibu t e s

' ’ ”
,

w h ic h un f o ld th e a b s o lu t e e ss e n ce o f G o d a n d o th e r
“ ”
,

a t tr ibu t e s pec p pe ie ic indic e

”
“
( a s t s o r r o r t s ) w h h a t H is

r el a ti o n to cr e at ed th ings .

31 7 ,
.An e xtr a ne o u s den o min a ti o n (denomina tio entrin
“

sic a o r externa ) o r ext e r n a l de s ig nat i on is c ont rasted w i th

“

an
“
in tri n s ic de n om in at io n (denominatio interna or intrin
sica ) . T h e l at t e r u n f o ld s t h e essential a t t r ibu t e s o f a th ing
t h e f o r me r o n ly t h e non-essentia l p r ope r t ie s a ccide n t s & c , , .

Th e t e r m is u s ed so me w h a t l oos ely h e r e U s u a lly S pi n oz a .

mea n s by denomina tio extrinsic a a t er m th at i n di c a tes th e

r l a io
e t n o f o n e t h i n g t o a n o t h e r — o r w h a t o n e t h i n g is o r

d oe s to a n oth er a s di stingui sh ed from wha t it is in i tsel f

,
.

I n t h i s m o r e u s u a l s en s e s el f-existenc e eternity unity a n d , , ,

immuta bil ity c o uld h ar dly be de s c ri b ed a s extra neo u s

den omi nati on s Poss ibly th e re is a s ligh t c o n fu si o n in th e
.
”

tex t or th e divi si o n w h ic h S pin oz a in t ended ma y h ave been

a s f o ll o w s Wh at eve r is p r edicated o f God de n ot e s eit h e r
.

( )
a w h a t is e ss en t i a l in H im o r ( b ) w h a t is n o t ,
e s s en t i a l ;
if n o n-e s s e n t i a l ( b ) t h en it i n dic at e s ei th e r ( i ) a
, p ro
pe rty of G o d oth e r th a n t h ough d educible f ro m H is
”
, ,

ess e n t ia l a t tr ibu t e s b u t st ill r ep res en t i n g wh at G od

,
”
182 GO D , M A N, AND H I S W E LL-B E I N G
a nd if B o h e me r s Outl ine w as b as ed o n s u c h a m anus cript
’

t h e o mi ss i o n of a l l r e f e r ence t o th e Di a l ogue s w o uld th u s be

a cc o un t ed f or Th e f a c t t h at th ey a re gi v en in b o th c o dice s
.
,

A a nd B o f wh i c h A may h ave been c o pied a l re ady du ri n g

,

th e li f e t ime of S pin o za is ce r ta inly in t h ei r fa v ou r

, .

Wi th r emarka bl e a greemen t m ost c ri t ic s have tre ated the

Di a l ogues as the olde st of S pin oz a s kn own w ri tings Th e ’
.

a r gume n t s f o r t h i s vie w m o st ly t u r n o n t h ei r s upp os ed

immatu r i ty f ragme n ta r ine ss a nd c rudene ss Fre u d e n th a l

, , .
,

h ow eve r h as s h o w n ( S pinoza studien I I ) t h a t t h i s v ie w is

, ,
.

un ten able becau s e th e Di a l ogue s are r e ally unintelligible

,

unle s s th ey are r ea d in th e ligh t of vari ou s ideas expl ained

in di ff er en t p arts o f th e S hort Treatise H e ma i n ta in s .

r ig h t ly w e t h i n k Di l gue e e i en f
( , ) t h a t t h e a o s w r w r tt a t er t h e

t h e bulk of t h e S hort Trea tise as s ep a ra t e a n d f ulle r elucid a

,

t i on s o f cer ta in p r o blem s a l re a dy b riefly dea l t w i t h in th e

Trea tise a f a mili a ri t y w i t h wh ic h t h ey a s s umed
,
I t is t h i s
.

ta ci t r eli a nce o n t h e e xp os i t i on o f v ar i ou s v ie w s a l r e a dy
give n in th e Treatise th at gives t o t h e Di a l ogue s a n a ppe ar
a nce o f f ra gmen t a r ine s s a nd c r udene s s In r ea lit y t h ey
.

a r e n o m or e imm a t u r e t h a n t h e r e s t of t h e S hort Trea tise ,

w h ile th ei r ve ry a ss ump t i o n o f th e va r i ou s d o c tr ine s e x

pl a ined in t he Treatise sh ows tha t th ey mu st h a ve been
w r i tt en l ate r .

To s o me ex ten t S igw ar t a n t icip at ed Fr e u d e n th a l s vie w

’

by s howing th at t he s ec o nd Di a l ogue migh t very w ell h a v e

been wr i tt en after t he re st of the Treatise B ut h e in s i sted .

t h at t h e fi rst Di a l ogue mu st h ave been w r i t t en s ome ye ars

b efore t h e Treatise Th e t wo Dia l ogue s h ow eve r c a n h ar dly
.
, ,

be s ep arat ed Th e s ec o nd on e r eally ta ke s up th e th eme

.

w i th w h ic h t h e fi rst c on clude s a nd t h e cl os ing r em ar k s o f

,

t h e s ec o nd Di a l ogue s eem t o r eve rt delibe rat ely t o t h e

o pening w o r d s o f t h e fi rst .
 C O MM E N TA RY 83

F IR S T D IALO GU E
Th e in s e r t i o n o f t h i s Di a l ogue h e r e w a s n o d oub t s ugge s ted
by t h e r e fe r e n ces t o N atu r e in th e p receding (s ec on d ) ch ap te r
( pp . 2 4 F o r t h i s Di a l o gue give s a f u r t h e r exp o s i t i o n o f
S pin oz a s c o n cep t i o n o f N at u r e Th e view of N at u r e as
’
.

a n im a t ed a n d a s c o inciding w i t h t h e U nive r s e in a l l its

en tir e ty a n d e te r n i ty is a l s o f ou nd in th e w ri ti ngs o f
G i or d a n o B ru n o e s peci a lly in t h e Di a l o gue s D e l a Causa
, ,

&c . Ave n a riu s a n d S ig w a r t h a ve ci t ed nume r ou s p a ss a ge s

f r o m B r un o w h ic h a r e s imil ar in in ten t t o th i s a n d oth e r
p a rts of t h e S hort Trea tise Th ey eve n regar d t h i s Dia l ogue
.

a s r ep r e s en t i n g a n e a rly s tage in t h e h i s tor y of S pin o z a wh en

h e w a s unde r th e m or e or le s s d o min a n t influence of B r un o .

B u t n o c o ncl us ive evidence h a s bee n a dduced s o f a r t o sh ow

t h at S pin oz a w a s even a cqu a in ted w i th B r u n o s w r i t ing s
’
.

A n d eve n S ig w ar t did n ot f eel s u r e o n t h i s m att e r . M ar

t in e a u t h oug h t th a t m ost o f th e r e s embl a n ce s be t w een B r un o
a n d S pi n oz a w e r e s upe rfici a l a nd illu sory Ne opl atonic vie w s
.

S imil a r t o t h os e of B r un o w e r e v e r y muc h in t h e in t ellec t u a l

a t m os p h e r e of t h e s i xt een t h a n d s even t een th cen t u r ie s a n d ,

S pi n oza m a y h a ve b ec o me f a mili a r w i th t h em th ro ugh

j e w i s h a n d o t h e r s ou r ce s In .a n y c a s e t h e r e s embl a nce
,

between S pin o a a n d B r un o is by n o me a ns f unda me n ta l

z .

S pin o a w en t f a r bey o n d B r un o
z N otw i th standin g al l h is
.

r h a p s o die s o n t h e infini t y o f N a t u r e B r un o neve r qui t e

r eli n qui sh ed th e ide a o f a G o d w h o w as s o me h o w a b o ve a n d

beyo nd N at u r e— h is G od w a s still transcendent ; S pin oza ,

o n t h e o th e r h a nd neve r w a ve r ed h e t o o k h is c o n cep t i o n
, ,

of t h e infini t y o f N a t u r e ve r y s t r i c t ly a n d f o ll o w ing up it s
,

a pp ar e n t ly l ogic a l implic at i o n h e b oldly iden t ified N a tu r e

w i th G od a n d c o n ceived G o d a s a b s olu t ely imma nent in

,

N at u r e A ve n ariu s a n d oth e r s b as i ng th ei r vie w s o n th e

.
,

s upp o s ed e a ly d a t e o f t h i s Di a l o gue
r h a ve di s t ingui sh ed
,

t h r ee p h a s e s o f S pin o a s Pa n th ei m I n a l l o f t h em
'
z s .
 1 84 GO D, MAN AN D,
H IS W E LL -B E IN G
S pi n oza i den t ified th e th r ee te r m s God Na ture S u bsta nc e , , , ,

by sh ow ing that th e same p r edic at e s a pply to e a ch of th em .

B u t a t di ff e r en t s t a ge s t h ey s ay S pin o z a s tar ted w i th a

, ,

diff e re n t te r m f or h is datum I n th e fi rst Di a l ogue under

.
,

t h e s upp os ed influe n ce o f B r un o h e s e t ou t f ro m t h e t e r m ,

Nature ; th i s w a s th e fi r s t p h as e Th e S hort Trea tise was .

s upp os ed t o r ep r e s en t th e s ec o nd p h a s e w h en under th e , ,

influe n ce of De sca rte s h e took his start from th e ter m God

,

( see c h a p t e r L as t ly t h e E,
thi c s w as sa id t o r ep r e s en t

t h e th i r d p h a s e w h en h a ving a t ta ined t o c omple t e inde

, ,

p e n d e n c e a n d m a t u r i t y S pin
,
o z a c o mmenced w i t h t h e t e rm

S u bstanc e B u t th i s wh ole c o ncep ti o n of t h e devel opmen t

.

o f S pin oz a s p h il os op h y is u n ten a ble Th e supp os ed in

’
.

fl u e n c e o f B r u n o is p r o blem at ic Th e fi rs t Di al ogue
.

a l r e a dy s h o w s a kn ow ledge o f De s c a rt e s And S p in oz a s .
’

a t t i t ude t ow a r ds C a r t e s i a ni s m is f und amen t a lly a n ta g o ni s tic

b oth in th e S hort Treatise a nd in the Di al ogue s No C ar .

t e s ia n c o uld th i n k o f ide n t i fyi n g G od w i t h N a tur e S o fa r .

a s h is wr i t ing s S h o w ,
S pin oz a iden t ified God N a tu r e a nd , ,

S ub s ta nce f ro m t h e fi r st a n d s eem s t o h a ve a tta c h ed n o

,

peculi ar s ig nific ance to a ny o f th em as a starting-p oin t It .

is true o f c ou r s e as M a r tinea u a n d oth e r s h a ve p o in t ed o u t

, , ,

t h a t t h e t hr ee t erm s ,
“
t h o ugh iden t ic a l in t h ei r a pplic ati o n ,

diff er s ome what in th eir mea ning ; under Nature w e a re

expec ted to t h i n k of th e c o n t inu ou s S ourc e of birth ; under
God of th e u niversal c ause o f th i ng s ; under S u bstance of t h e
, ,

pe rm anen t rea li ty be h ind p h en o men a B u t t hat is a n oth er .

”

m a tt e r .

32 1 1 15
, , U n de r s ta nding
. R e as o n Understanding .

is h ar dly t h e r igh t w o r d for w h at is me a n t h e r e by th e

Du t ch Verstand I ntel l ec tus S pir i t
. or s pi r i tu a l
” “

in sig h t migh t be be tter in s ome r e spec ts I t r ep r esen ts

”
.

t h e h ig h e s t f or m o f k n o w ledge n a mely k n ow l edge by w a y

, ,

o f immedi a t e in tui t i o n . Rea son o n t h e o th e r h a nd r e p r e

, ,

s e n ts th e l o w e r g ra de o f kn o w ledge by w a y o f di sc u r s ive
1 86 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E LL-B E I N G
3 2, 25 .in s erti o n of not w as s ugge sted by F reuden
Th e “

t h a l w h o r ig h t ly p o in t ed o ut t h at in E thic s I Defini ti o n ii
, ,
.
,
.
,

a n d in Le tt er IV S pin oz a s ay s di st i n c t ly t h a t b o dy is not “
.
,

limi ted by though t n or th ou gh t by b ody Cf p 2 3 7 D e f iii

, . . .
, . .

8 3 3 f Th e w o r d s
, . b ut th i s n oth ing a re qui t e
“

in a pprop r i at e h e r e Fr euden th a l has s ugge sted t hat th ey

.

mu st be so me r e a der s m argi na l c omment ’

.

3 3 1 6 fl Th i s o u t bu rs t o f indig n a t i o n a ga in s t
, . De si r e is
o n ly i n t elligible in t h e lig h t o f B oo k I I c h ap te r xiv ( p . . .

a n a cqu a in ta nce w i t h w h ic h is a s s umed .

3 3 2 4 5 It is n ot e wor th y t h at th e l at e r o bjec ti on s r a i s ed
,
.

by Desi re (line s 1 — 1 3) s eem to be ign or ed by Rea s on .

B ut th ey a r e c on s id e ie d in c h a p t e r ii ( pp 2 5 fl ) Poss ibly
'

. . .

t h e li n e s 1 — 1 3 w e r e n ot or igin a lly in t h e Di a l ogue A r e a de r .

m ay h av e a dded in t h e m arg in th e s e ob j ec t i o n s w h ic h h e
c opied fr om ch apt er ii a nd a nuncr i t ical Copyi st may h a ve .
,

tr a n s f e r ed th e m argin a l n o t e i n to t h e t ext .

3 3 2 6 fl T h e r el a ti o n o f s ub s tance t o its a ttr ib ut e s is

,
.

h e r e de s c ribed a s a c ausal r el at i o n s h ip ; th e a tt r ibu t e s ar e

supported by s ub s ta nce t h ey depend o n it n ot l ogic al l y o nly ,

b ut c a usal l y .

33, f Th e a ttributes are n ot a c tu a lly c alled m ode s

29 .
“

h e r e ; t h ei r r el a t i o n t o s ub s t a nce is s imply c ompa red ( fo r

a r gumen t s s a ke) w i t h th a t o f m o de s t o a tt r ibu t e s
’
.

34 1 2 A ,
s ec o nd n o t i o n
.
( notio secu nda ) is c on tras ted
w i th a fi r s t n ot i o n ( notio prima ) Th e l att er r ep r es en ts
“
.

w h a t th ing s r e a lly ar e w h ile th e f or me r is s ome m o de o f ,

c o nceiving th ing s The s a me a n tith e si s w a s a l so exp r e ss ed

.

by a n oth e r p a i r of s ch ol astic ter m s n a mely intentio prima , ,

a n d intentio sec unda Wh a t th e mind in tends or ap p r e

.
“ ”

h end s in t h e fi rs t in sta nce is s o me c o nc r e te r e a li ty ( s ay a ,

p a rticul ar tr ee ) a n d t h i s c on st i tu te s t h e fir st in te nti on
,

b u t as t h e r e s ul t o f r eflec t ing o n a nd c o mp a r i n g s uc h fi rs t
i nt en ti ons or n ot io n s (as e g w h en w e c omp ar e vari ou s , . .
,

t r ee s a n d men tally cl ass ify th e m in to genera and spec ies

, ,
 CO M M E N TA RY 187

a cc ording t o t hei r r e s embl a nce s a nd di ff e r ence s) we o b ta in

s ec o nd n o t i o n s or in t en t i o n s w h ic h d o n ot di rec t ly
“ ”
,

r ep r e s en t r ea l th ing s b ut are s o m a ny w a y s o f t h inking

,

a b o u t t h em O f c o u rs e even s ec o nd n ot i o n s
“
. a r e n ot
,

a l to ge t h e r me r e ide a s for th ey a re g ro unded in th e re al

“ ”
,

c h ara ct e r o f th ing s .

34 16
,
Th e t h inking p ower
.
“
Th e at tr ibu te Th o ug h t
is a l s o de s cr ibed by S pi no z a a s a p o w e r in Le tt e r XXXI I ”
.

( s ta t u o da ri in N a tura p ote ntia m in fl n ita m c ogita n di) a n d in

t h e E thics I f i S c h o l a n d I I xxi S c h o l
,
. . O n p 1 2 0 ( li n e 4 )
.
,
. . . .

t h e a tt r ibu t e E xt en s i o n is s imil a r ly de s c r ibed a s a p o w er “ ”

.

Th e a ttr ibu t e s t h u s s eem t o be c o nceived h e r e a s s o m a ny

line s of f or ce in wh ich G o d m a nife sts or r eve al s H ims el f .

D IALO G U E S EC O ND

3 6 I n D r W Meye r s m o de r n Du t c h ve rs i o n o f th e S hort
’
. . .

Treatis e t h e s ec o nd Di a l ogue is a ppended t o th e next c h a p t e r .

H is r e as o n w ill be c o n s ide red in t h e fi rst n o te t o t h at c h a p t e r .

I t is n ot e wor thy t h at t h e c o ncluding w o r d s o f c h a p te r ii

‘

(3 1,
1 6 ) d o n o t r e f e r t o a s ec o nd Di a l o gue — t h ey o nly r e f e r

to a Di a l ogue ( o ne n ot tw o) Th i s h ow eve r m ay o nly

, .
, ,

mean t hat th e in s ert i o n of th e s ec ond Di a l ogue in th i s pl a ce

w as a n a ft e r th o ugh t B ut it c a n h ar dly be s ep a rat ed fr o m
.

t h e fi r st Di a l ogue I t is th e r e fe r e n ce t o th e di st i n c t i o n
.

betw een imma nen t a nd t ra n s eun t cau sa li ty at th e end of

t h e fi rs t Di al ogue th a t f u r ni s h e s th e t h eme of t h e s ec o nd
a nd t h e c o ncluding r em ar k s o f t h e s ec o nd s eem t o r e f e r

delibera tely t o th e ope ning r em ar ks of t he fi rst .

Th e op h ilu s Th i s n a me ( in th e I tal iam f or m s

”
36 3, .
“
.

Teofil o a nd F il oteo) o ccu rs a l s o in B r un o s Di a l ogue s D e l a

’

Causa & c a n d in B r un o s Di a l ogue s a s in th i s t h e

’

, .
, ,

a u th or s o w n vie w s a r e in m u e p ilu
’ ”
p u t t o t h e o th o f T h o h s .

Th i s m ay be a me r e c o incidence a s th e n a me w ould n at u ra lly ,

o ccu r t o a w r i t e r w h os e m o ra l ide a l w a s th e l ove of G o d “

.
 GO D, MAN AN D , H IS W E LL -B E IN G
3 6, 6 —8 e fe rence is t o 3 5 3 a nd 41 1 9
. Th e r , , , .

3 6 9 20
,
— S ee 42 2 1—24. An a cqu a in ta nce wi th th i s
,
.

p ass age is cle ar ly ass umed

36 9
,
A remote ca u s e is c on trast ed w i th a firoximate
.
“

c au se Th e l at te r p r o duc es its e ff ec t immediatel y wi th o u t

.
,

t h e in t e r ven t i o n o f a ny th ing el s e w h ile t h e f or me r p ro duces ,

its (r em ot e ) e ff ec t by me a n s o f a n in t e rvening p ro xim at e

c a u s e or a c ha in of p roxim ate c a u ses Th e t er ms firoximate .

a n d r emote a re r el a t ive t o a given e ff ec t eve ry c au s e might

be b oth p roxim at e a nd remot e b ut n ot in rel at i o n to th e ,

s a me e ff ec t A remote ca u se w as s upp os ed t o be s ep arated

.

fro m n ot in c o n t a c t w i th it s e ff ec t
,
H ence th e di ffi cul ty , .

r a i s ed in th e t ex t as t o h o w a n imma nent c a u s e c ould a l s o

be a remote c au se .

3 6 1 2-1 6 Th e t e xt is c o r r up t
,
B s eem s t o h a ve s u b sti .

tute d p r i or for r em ot e on acc oun t of th e di fficul t ie s

“ “ "

p re sented by th e t ext Th e w ord s wh ich we have a dded in .

s qu a r e b ra cke ts a r e in t ended t o s ugge s t t h e r ea l me a ning o f

’

t h e o r igin a l t ex t in a cc or d a nce wi th 42 4 fl a nd E thics I

, ,
.
, , .

xxviii S c h o l
. .

3 6 2 2 f S ee 147 1 — 6
, .
, .

3 7 3 2 f S ee 5 5 1 2 f
,
.
,
.

3 8 1 2 f S ee 1 46 2 7 fi
,
.
,
.

3 8 2 7 f S ee 1 47 1 6 — 2 4
, .
,
.

3 9 8 fl In h is C agita ta M etaphysic a I I x S pin oz a m a in ta in s

, .
, . .
,

t h a t n ot h ing w h ic h h as bee n c r e a t ed by G o d c a n be e t e r n a l .

3 9 1 9 5 Cf C l a u b e rg s Logic a Vetus et Nova I vi

’
, . . 62 , . . .

S ol e st c a u sa a qu a c onc l a ve il l u mina tur s ed re motio val

var um est C A S A S INE U Q UA NO N fit il l u mina tio .
”

40, 1 -3 . S ee 133 , 23 fi .

40, 3-7 . Ho w t h i s
uni o n w i th God is t o be brought a b ou t
h as a l r e a dy been indica t ed in t h e beginning o f t h e fi rst
Dia l ogue (3 2 w h e r e it is s t at ed t ha t t h e pe rf ec t i o n o f
,

L ove depe n d s o n t hat of th e U nde rsta nding Indeed t h e .

s e nte nc e no w unde r c o n s ide rat i o n ma y be r eg a r ded as t h e

1 90 GO D , MAN AND ,
H IS W E LL-B E IN G
c o n s tr u c t i o n eems o b vi ou s t hat c h a p te r iii w a s co pied
. It s .

in to A a f t e r c h a p t e r iv ( p o s s ibly a l s o so m e o f t h e r e s t o f
.

t h e Treatise) h a d a l e a dy bee n c o pied r B u t t h e c o pyi s t h a d .

e vide nt ly le ft a s p a c e f or ch ap ter iii th ough h e mi s ca lcul a ted .

,

t h e a m o un t O f s p a ce r equi r ed I t is k n o wn th a t S pi n o a s
’
. z

m a nu sc rip ts ci rcul ated a m o ng h is f r iend s in p a rts j u s t a s ‘

t h ey w e r e c o mple t ed M os t likely t h e c o pyi st of A h a d

.

t h e M S o f c h a p t e r iv be f or e h e h a d t h at o f c h a p t e r iii s o
. . .
,

h e le f t s ome bl a n k p a ge s f or t h e l a t te r a n d c opied it w h e n
h e g ot it a ft e r war d s C h a p t e r iii is in t h e sa me h a nd
. .

w r i t i n g a s t h e r e s t of t h e Treatis e in A A n d a s r eg a r d s t h e .

a l t e rat i o n s in t h e n ume r a l s it a ppe ars ce r t a in t o me t h a t t h e

A ra bic n umer a l s h a ve s i m ply been c ha nged i nto Rom a n

o ne s — t h e c h a n ge bei n g p r ob a bly m a de by t h e f a st idi o u s

M on n ikh off L astly a s r egar ds th e c o n ten ts of c h a p ter iii

.
, .

a n d t h e s ec o nd Di a l ogue S pi n o z a is n o t a t a l l p art icul a r,

in th i s Treatise a b o u t r epeat ing h im sel f and t h e s ec o nd ,

Di a l ogue as a l rea dy sh ow n h a s a p oin t of c onta c t w ith th e

, ,

fi rst If w e h ad ve ry s c rupul o u s r ega r d to c on n ec ti o n of

.

c o n t e nt s ever a l o f th e c h a p t ers of th e Treatise w ould have to

be tra n s p os ed as i n deed D r Meyer h i m s el f h a s p ointed ou t
, , , . .

4 1 1 2 fl Th e el a b ora t e cl ass ific a t i o n o f c a u s e s t o w h ic h

, .

S pi n oz a r e f e r s in t h i s c h ap t e r is t o be f o und in F ra nc o
B u rg e rsd ijc k s I nstitutionum Logi c a rum Libri D u o B u rge rs
’
.

d ij c k a s a l r e a dy s t a t ed w as Pr o f e s s o r of Ph il os o p h y a t
'

, ,

L eyde n in t h e e ar ly dec a de s o f th e s e ve n t ee n th ce n t u ry ,

a n d his b o ok o n l ogic t o j udge by t h e n ume r o u s edi t i on s ,

s t ill ex ta n t mu s t h a ve been a m ost p o pul ar m a n u a l

, .

S eve ra l edi t i o n s o f t h e b o ok w e r e edi t ed by B u r g e r s d ijc k s

’

s ucce ss or H e e r e b oord t o w h o m S pi n oz a r e f e rs in h is M eta

, ,

p yh sic a l T ho u gh ts I I xii I t w a s,
t h i s r e.f e r ence t o Hee
. e r

b o or d t h at Tr endelen bu r g u s ed a s a clue t o u nra vel th i s

c omplic ated a nd s o me wh at o bs cu r e cl a ssi fica t i o n of c au s e s .

Th oug h c o mplex th e cl a s s ific at i o n w a s r e a lly n o t s o

,

f a nci f ul a s ma y fi r s t a ppe ar S ub st i tu t e c ondi t i o n s f or “ ”

.
 CO M M E N TA RY 191

“
ca use s a nd t h e cl a ssific a t i o n st ill c o n ta i n s much tha t is
,

t r ue a n d va l u a ble I f by c a u s e w e mea n the t ota li ty o f” “

.

c o ndi ti o n s th en th e re is n o r oo m f or a ny suc h el a b ora te

,
”

cl ass ific a ti o n of c a u s e s B u t f or a l l p ra ct ic al pu rp os e s w e
.

a r e s a t i s fied t o a pply t h e t e r m c a u s e to so meth ing very ”

f ar s h or t of t h e t ot a li t y o f c o ndi t i o n s a n d Mill h as s h ow n
“
,

h ow a r bi tr ary p opul ar u s age is in s ingli n g o u t n ow th i s n ow ,

t h a t c o n di t i o n a s th e c a u s e w h en a s a m at ter of fa c t a l l
“ ”
, , ,

th e c o ndi t i o n s a re equ a lly nece s sa r y if n ot equ a lly st r iking ,

o r i n t e r e st i n g o n di ff e r en t o cc a s i o n s o f t h e sa me kind o f

o ccu r r e n ce I t w as a cc or ding t o t h i s w ide r a n d l oos e r u s e

.

o f th e t e r m t h at ca u s e s w e r e cla ss ified in s uc h a n el a b orat e

”

w ay Th e a c c o mp a nyi n g t a ble (s ee nex t p age ) is ta ken f r o m

.

B u rg e r s d ij c k s Logic (p 2 8 2 o f t h e L o n d o n edi t i o n of
’
.

In th e a cc omp a nying ta ble w e se e th e th e n u s u a l Ari s to

t eli a n divi s i o n o f C a u s e s in t o M a t e r i a l F o r m a l E ffic ie n t , , ,
.

a n d Fin a l e a c h o f t h e s e being a g a in s ubdivided in v a r i o u s

,

w ay s . I t w ould t a ke up t oo muc h s p a ce t o de a l w i th a l l o f
t h em h e r e We a r e o n ly c o ncer n ed w i th t h e eigh tfold
.

divi s i o n of E fficien t c au s e s wh ic h S pin oz a h as in vie w in

,

t h e p r e s e nt c h a p t e r It w ill be o b s e r ved t h a t S pin oza

.

enu m e ra te s t h em in p reci s ely th e s a me or de r a s th ey a re

gi ve n in t h e foll ow ing t a ble f rom B urg e rs d ijc k s Logic Th e ’
.

f o ll ow i ng defini ti o n s a r e a l s o taken f ro m t h e s a me b ook .

4 1 1 5 An ema na tive c a u s e is o n e w h ic h p r oduce s its

,
.

e ff e c t by its sh eer exi s t ence w h ile an a ctive (or a cting) c a u s e

,

is on e w h ich p r o duce s its e ff ec t t h r o ugh th e med i um o f

s o me a c t ivi ty w h ic h it exe r ci s e s Fi r e f or i n sta nce is t h e
.
, ,

e ma native c a u s e o f its own h e at b u t a n a c tive c a u s e of t h e,

h e a t wh ich it im p a r ts t o o th e r t h ings S pi n oz a p r a ct ic a lly .

d oe s away w ith t h is di sti n cti on in th e cas e of Go d E ma .

n a ti ve h e e h as n oth i n g to d o w i th th e E m a nati on t h e or y
r

o f Ne o pl at o n i s m o r My s t ici s m S pin oz a did n ot u s e t h e

.

exp r e ss i on in th e E thics p oss ibly in or de r t o a v oid th i s

,

s ugge st i o n o f ema n ati on

“
.
1
92 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G

BU R GE R S D IJC K S C LA S S F C AT O
I I I N US ES
’
OF CA

I n g enere
P r ima ,
S e c u nda.

R er um Na tura l iu m,
ea q ue vel A rtific ia l iu m .

Gener a tion is ,
Comp os itionis .

ea qu e vel

Q)

8,
v;

i Efiiciens
ea que vel P roca ta rc tica ,
M inus p r inc ip a l is P r oeg u mena ,
I ns tru mentu m .
1 94 GO D, MAN AN D , H IS W E L L -B E I N G
inc ipiens a ut inchoa ns) — th at is , ex te rn a l th i ng o r C ondi
a ny

t i o n w hi c h in c i t e s t h e principal c a u s e to a c ti o n T h e t h i rd a n d .
,

l as t ki n d of s ub sidi a ry ca u s e is t h e predisposing ca u s e ( c au sa
,

proegu mena ) o r s o me in t e r n a l c ondi t i o n wh ich p r edi s p os e s

,

a th ing t ow ar d s a ce r ta in kind o f a c t i o n or p r o ce s s F or .

in stance if a man w i th a we ak c h e st bec ome s very ill in

,

c on sequence of a c old c a ught w h ile in a d r a ugh ty pl a c e ,

t h en t h e d ra ugh t w o uld be de s c r ibed a s t h e provoking ( or

inc iting) c a u s e w h ile h is ;w e a k c h e st o r f eeble c o n s t i t u ti o n
,

would be t h e predisposing c a u s e ( B a in m a de
. a s o me w h a t
s imil a r di s t inc t i o n th ough of w ide r a pplicabili ty wh en h e
, ,

a n a ly s ed a c a u s e in t o a m oving p ow er a nd a c oll oca

“ ” “

t i o n of ci r cum s ta nce s )
"

S pi n oza s dep ar t u r e f r o m B urg e r sd ij c k s divi s i o n of t h e

’ '

c ausa minu s princ ip al is is I t h i n k e xplic a ble by t h e fl u c t u a t

, ,

ing v ie ws o f th e t ext-b ooks on th i s p oi n t C l a ube rg ( a c o py .

o f w h os e Logic a Vetu s c i Nova S pi n oz a is k n o w n t o h a ve

p os s essed) divided t h e e fficie n t ca u s e s i nto ca usa p rincipal is

a nd c a u s a instru menta l is No d o ubt t h i s is t h e d vi s i o n
. i

w h i c h S pi n oza h a d in vie w in li n e s 4—9 O n th e o t h e r .

h a nd Ke c ke r m a nn ( a c o py of w h o s e S ystema Logic ce w a s a l so
,

a m o ng S pin o z a s b o ok s ) divid e d a s f oll o w s

’

pr incip a l is ,
Ca us a fiiciens
e

minus p r inc ip a l is .

Th is al s o give s th e f ou r subdivi s i on s p ra c t ic a lly in th e

s a me o r de r a s S pin o z a r e f e r s t o th em .

42 1 5 A first c a u s e is o n e w h ic h is n ot dependen t o n
, .

( o r n o t t h e e ff ec t o f ) a n y o t h e r c a u s e ; a c a u sa sec u nda is

dependen t o n a fi rst cau s e .

42 1 7 A universal c a u s e w a s c o n tr a sted w i t h a p a rticul ar

,
.

o n e a s f o ll o w s Th e l att e r c a n o nly p r o du c e one ki n d o f

.

eff ec t ; th e f o r me r c a n p roduce di ff er e n t kind s of e ff e c ts

by c o-op era ting w i th var i ou s oth er ca u s es God a c c ording .
,
 CO MM E N TA R Y 1 95

to S pin oz a be de sc r ibed a s a universal ca u s e in so f a r a s

,
ma y
He is n ot r e st ric ted t o a ny o n e ki n d o f e ff e c t b u t n ot in t h e ,

s e n s e th a t H e c a n c o-o pe ra t e w i t h c a u s e s o u t s ide H im s el f .

42 2 1 F o r t h e di s t in c ti o n be twee n a proximate a n d a
,
.

r emote c a u s e s ee th e n ot e t o 3 6 9 , .

C HAPTE R IV

43 . Th e t h eme of th is c h a p te r is al so di s cu ss ed by S pi n o za
in t h e E thic s I xvi xvii xxxiii
, . a nd in th e Tracta tus
. . .
,

Theol ogic o-P ol itic a s , VI .

43 , fl23 mp a r.e t h e f
Co o ll o w in g p a s sa ge f ro m th e Cogita ta

M eta physic a ( I iii ) S ince n ot h i ng e xi st s e xcep t by di vine

. .

p o we r a l on e it is e a s y to s e e th at t h os e t h ings w h ich c ome

,

i n t o e xiste nce d o s o by vi r tue of t h e decr ee a n d w ill o f God .

B u t s i n ce t h e r e is nei t h e r inc o n s ta ncy n or c h a n ge in Go d ,

H e mu st h av e decr eed from e t e r n i ty th at H e wo uld p ro du c e

t h os e th ing s w h ich He p r o duce s n o w ; a n d a s in o r de r t h a t
a t h i n g m a y exi s t n oth ing m or e is r equi r ed th a n Go d s dec r ee
’

t h a t it s h o uld e xi st it f o ll o w s t h at a l l c r e a t ed th ings h ave

,

been unde r a n e te rn al nece ss i ty to be in exi st e n ce No r c an .

w e s ay th at t h ey a re c o n t ingen t be c a u s e G o d c o uld h a ve
decr eed o th e rw ise ; f or s ince in e t e rn i ty th er e is no when , ,

o r b efore o r after o r a ny o th e r c h a nge o f t ime

, ,
it fo ll ows ,

t h at G od did n o t exi s t be fo r e t h os e th i n g s w e r e dec reed t o ,

be a ble at a l l to decr ee oth er wi se O n t h e oth e r h a nd in .

”
,

Cogit M eta ph I I vii S pin o za s ay s th at if G od w ill e d it so

. . . .
“
,

cre at ed th i n gs w ould h ave a di ff eren t e sse n ce .

44 1 9 ,
Th e u s u a l s c h ol a st ic defini t i o n o f F r eed om
. .

B u rg e rsd ij c k ( I nst Log c a p x vii ) s ay s . Causa l ib era p otest

. . .

a gere qu ic quid , qua ntu m, et q u a ndo l ubet . H e e r e b o or d ( C ol l .

E th . p qu oted by S igw a rt) s ays di stinc tly th a t m o st

. 1 1 4—

p h il osop h e rs defined f r ee -w ill a s fa cul tas qu e p asil is omnibus e

a d a gendu m requ isitis p otest a g er e et non a g ere , a ut ita a g ere

unum, u t c ontra ria m a gere p assii. Cf . De sc art es ,

M ed . IV .
1 96 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
46 , 8 i s = t h at G od c o uld n ot h ave m a de th ing s
.
“
Th
di ff e r en t f ro m w h at th ey a r e ( see p 45 1 9 .
,

46 1 2 1 5 Th i s s e n t e n ce a n d
,
— l so th e l a st in th e same
.
,
a

p aragra p h appear t o be q ui t e i rr elev a n t B omi ts th em

, . .

M ost p rob a bly t h ey a re o nly th e m argin a l c ommen ts o f

s o me r e a der a n d n o t a p a r t o f th e or igin a l t ex t
, .

C HAPTE R V
47 .
joel
d ra w n atten ti o n to s imil ar vie ws o n Provi
h as
de n ce in th e w ri ti ngs of H a s d a i C re s c as ( The Light of the
Lord 11 ii, a l so t o t h e f a c t t h a t C r e sc a s w h ile t re a t ing
. .
,

o f P r ov idence empl o y s t h e s a me illu s trat i o n w h i c h S pi n o z a

,

give s on p 42 li n e 8 .
,
.

47 4 6 Th i s striving is de s c r ibed in t h e Tra c ta tus Theo

,
— .
,

l ogic o-P ol itic u s ( c a p a s t h e h ig h e s t l a w o f N a t u r e (Lex

.

su mma Na tu rae est, u t u na uaz u e r es

q q in s u o sta tu , qu a ntu m
in se est, c onetu r p ersevera re
) ,
a nd ( ibid . c ap . ide n ce
vi .
) Pr o v
iside nt fied w i th th e ordo Natu ra
i . F or S pi n oz a s ( l a t e r )
’

expl a nat io n o f th i s striving se e E thic s , ,

I I I iv vi vii
. . . .

VI C HAPTE R

48 . S ee C ogitata M eta physica I iii a n d E thic a I x xxiii , . .

, , . .

48 , 3 .
“
A t tr ibu t e is h e re u sed in th e w ide r sen se
”

proprietas .

48 , Acciden ta l = th at w h ich i s nei th er nece ssary nor

10 .
“ ‘

imp oss ible I n th e p assage s r e fe rr ed t o a b ove S pin oza

.
,

di stingui sh es bet w een t h e c o n tingen t a n d th e p oss ible ”

,

w h ic h m a y be r egar ded a s th e t wo s pe c ie s of th e a cc i
“

den tal Th e m a i n p oi n t is th at a cc ordi ng to h im n oth ing

.
”

r e a lly is a ccide n t a l o n ly s o me t h i n g s a re r ega rded a s

“ ”
,

a ccide n t al o n a cc o un t o f o u r ig n o ra nce o f t h e c a u s e s or

t h ei r ope ra t i o n .

48 2 4 fi A m o d a l p r o p o s i t i on
, . S is a n a cciden ta l “

c a u s e w as sa id t o be in sensu diviso o r in sensu c omposito

a cc o r ding as t h e qu a li fyi n g e xp r e s si o n
1
98 GO D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G

VI I C HAPTE R

5 2 S pin o a s eem s t o r e f e r t o t h i s c h ap t e r in h is Tra c tatus

. z

de I ntel l e ctus E menda tione ( Va n V l ot e n a nd La nd s edi t i o n

’

18
95 v o l i p 2 4 n o t e
, . . .
,

5 3 1 6 Th i s vie w is f o und f or in s t a nce in H e e re b o or d

,
—
. . ,

( Disput ex P hil osophia vol i p 1 4 7 qu oted by S igw a rt )

.
, . . .
,
.

5 3 9 1 1 O w ing p a r t ly t o th e de s i r e t o m a i n t a i n t h e
,
—
.

a b s o lu t e U ni t y o f G o d i ic mul iplici y o f a t tr i
(w t h w h h a t t
bu t es w as th ough t t o be i n c o n s i s ten t) a n d p artly fro m t he ,

a nxie ty t o a v o id c o mp a r ing G o d w i th ma n t h er e a r o s e in
,

A ra bic a nd j e w i sh mediev al p h il osop h y a t e n de n cy t o

expl ain a way th e a ttribu te s u su ally a sc ribed to G od (espe
c ia l l y in t h e B ible a n d th e Ko ra n T h e e r ibu t e s w e r e
) s a tt .

a cc o r di n gly t r e a t ed a s h aving s o lely a n eg a t ive imp o r t t h a t ,

is as p redic a t ing w h at G od is not r a th er t h a n w h at He is

, ,

or a s denying s o me impe rf ec ti o n ra th e r th a n a ffi r ming a ny

(h um a n o r qu a s i -h um a n
) c h a r a c t e r i s t ic o f Him ( M ai .

m o n id e s e g s um s up h is inqui r y in to Go d s a ttr ibu t e s as

’

, ,
. .

f oll ow s It h a s th u s been s h ow n th at eve ry att r ibu t e

p redica t ed of God eit h e r den ot e s t h e qu a li ty of a n a c t i o n ,

o r— w h en th i s a ttr ibu t e is in t ended t o c on v ey s o me ide a o f

'

t h e Divine B eing Him s el f a n d n o t o f H is a c tio ns t h e ,

—

n eg a t i o n o f t h e opp os i t e Th u s w e u s e One in r e fe r ence

”
.

t o G o d t o exp r e s s t h at t h er e is n o t h i n g s imil a r t o H im b u t ,

w e d o n ot me a n t o s ay t h at a n a ttr ibu t e U ni t y is a dded t o

H is e ss ence — Guide I l vii lviii ) .
”
A s imil ar t endency
, . . .

a ppe a r ed a l s o in C h r i s t i a n S c h o l as tici s m Th i s kind o f .

n eg a tive t h e o l ogy s eem s t o h a ve bee n s t ar t ed fi r s t by

“ ”

Ph il o j u d ae u s of Alex a nd r i a t h e f ou nde r of Ne opl a to ni s m

, , .

5 3 1 3 f S pi n o z a is r e f e rr ing t o Th o m a s Aquin as
, . S ee .

20, 16 fi .

5 3, 19 fl . Co mp ar e 3 0 , fl 3 1 n o t e s t
. h e r e
a nd
to th e .

5 4, 5 fi Cf C ogita ta . . M eta physic a I v i w h e r e S pin o z a , . .

,

y
sa s t h a t
“
g oo a nd d “
evil o nly indicate a certa in r el a
 CO MM E N TA R Y 1
99

t i on of o n e th ing to a n oth e r A th ing c o n s ide r ed by .

i tsel f is c al led nei th e r g ood nor ba d ; it is s o o nly in r el at i on

t o a n o th e r t h i n g a cc or di ng a s it h elp s it t o o b t a i n w h a t it
,

r equ i r e s o r n o t S pin oz a h o w eve r a ll o w s t h e a pplic a t i o n

”
.
, , ,

of s u r emely g o o d t o God on th e g ro und t h a t a l l th ing s

“
p
o nly exi s t t h r o ug h H im .

5 4 2 0 fl Cf Tra cta tus do I ntel l ec tus E menda tione Va n

, . .
(
Vl ot e n a n d L a nd ed 1 8 l i pp 8 17 — Wh i t e a nd
95 v o ,
. 2 , . . . .

S t i r ling s t ra n s l at io n pp
’

51 , .

5 5 1 5 f Ad o p t ing t h e emend a ti o n s ugge s t ed by S ig w art

, .
,

w e sh o uld r e a d h e r e : S ince a s a t t r ibu t e s o f a s el f -s u b

“
,

s i s t ing being t h ey exi s t th r o ug h t h em s elve s t h ey a l so

, ,

bec ome kn own th r ough t h ems el ves — na m quia ut attributa

entis s e existentis m p er
p er [ p er se ] exista nt , etia s e c onc i p i
a ntur i s m ake s t h e mea ning c le are r
. Th .

5 5 20 f Al th o ug h t h e t e r m genus is h e r e a pplied to a t tri

, .

bu te ( bec au se th e a ttribute h e r e take s t h e pl a ce of th e genus in

t h e ol d r ule o f d efini t i o n ) it mu st n o t be f org ott en t h a t t h e
attribu t e a cc or d ing to S pin oza is not gene r ic b u t s ingul a r
, , ,
.

I n th e Trea tise the I mprovement the Understa nding

on o f
S pin oza says t h at th e defini t i o n o f a c r eated t h ing s h oul d
include th e p roximat e c a u s e w h ich h e th e r e ide nt ifie s ,
”

w i th t h e infini t e m o de s M o t i o n a nd U nde rs ta ndi n g a o ,

c ording as the fini t e m o de to be expl a i n ed is a m ode of

E x t en s i o n o r o f Th ough t ( vol i p 3 1 in ed . . . .

5 5 2 6 Th e r e f e r ence is t o t h e A nswers to the first s ec ond

,
.
, ,

a nd third obj ections ( a ppended t o De s c a rt e s M edita tions)

’
,

w h e r e De s c a r t e s m a in ta in s a g a in st S as s e n d i t h a t a l th o ugh
, , ,

w e c a nn o t h a ve a c o mple t ely a dequ at e kn o w ledge of G o d ,

w e c a n h ave a cle ar a n d di st inc t kn o w ledge o f s o me of H is

a ttribu t e s .

C HAPTE R VI I I
56 .dist incti o n betw een Natura naturans a n d Natura
Th e
na turata may be t ra ced b a ck t o A r i s tot le s di s t inc t i o n be tw een
'
20 0 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E LL-B E I N G
It h e U nm o ved ( M ove
M ov ed I n th e w ri tings
r ) a nd t he .

o f Augu s t i n e ( 3 5 4 4 30) t h e A r i stot eli a n di vi s i o n is de

-

v e l o p e d i n t o a th r ee f o ld di st i n c t i o n n a mely
( 1 ) a C r e a tor , ,

w h o wa s n o t c r e a t ed ( 2 ) th e c re at ed w h ic h a l so cr e at e s a n d
, ,

( 3 ) th a t w h ic h h a s been c r e a t ed b ut doe s n ot cre at e S c ot u s .

E r ige na a dded a f o u t h di s ti n ct i o n ( s o as t o c o mple t e t h e

r

di c h oto m ou s s ch eme ) n amely (4) that wh ich n eith e r c r e at e s

, ,

no r h a s bee n c r e a t ed n o th i n g ) S c otu s E r igen a ( nin th .

centu ry ) a l r e a dy m a in tained th a t G od a nd th e U nivers e are ,

ide n t ic a l N a tu r e r ega rded as a c r e ati ng t otali ty being th e

s a me as G o d w h ile N a t u r e r ega rded a s a mul tiplici ty of
,

c r eated th i ng s is w h a t is c alled th e w orld Th i s m ode of .

th o ugh t w as devel o ped m or e f ul l y by Ave rro es ( 1 1 2 6

th e c h ie f o f t h e A r a bi a n A r i s tot eli a n s .

5 6 3— 1 1 Cf E thic s I x xi x S c h o l
, . .
, . .

5 6 1 2 fl Cf E thic s I xxv u t S c h ol w h e r e th e di v i s i o n o f
, . .
,
. . .
,

Na tura naturata i n t o gene r a l a n d p a rticul ar is r epl a ced ”

by t hat i nt o th i ngs pr o duced by Go d immediat ely a nd “ ”

medi at ely .
”

IX C HAPTE R

5 7 2 8 Pr o b a bly fo r t h e r e as o n s stat ed in li n e s 7 8 Un
,
—
.
, ,

d e r st a n ding a n d M ot i o n a r e r e f e rr ed t o in t h e Trea tise on

the I mprovement o f the Understa nding as r es fixce et a ternce .

Th ey a e a l s o c o mm o nly r e fe rred t o a s t h e i nfini t e m odes

r .
”

Cf Le tt e r LXIV
. .

5 7 1 8 2 0 It s eem s s tra nge t h at M otion S h ould be de

, ,
.

s c r ibed a s a B u t it s c orr e s p o ndence or

“ ”
S o n o f Go d .

p ara lleli sm w i th U nde rsta n di n g in S pin oz a s s c h eme c om ,

’

p e l l e d h im t o p r edic a t e o f M o t i o n w h a t eve r h e a ffir med o f

th e U n de rs ta n di n g by w a y o f epi th e ts indic a ting p os i t i o n in
t h e s c h eme And t o de s cribe U nde r sta nding as the S on of
.

G od w a s o f c ou rs e B ibli c a l
,
1 C or i 2 4 ,
Christ the power — . .

of God a nd the wisdom of God

,
It w a s n o d o ubt w i th .
, ,

r e f e r ence t o t h i s S c r ip t u r a l p a s s a ge t h a t S pin o z a w r o t e in
20 2 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E IN G
c ri ti c i s m t ur n s on th e impli c a ti o n o f pu r p os e O n th e s a me .

p age ( li n e s 1 6 fi ) — a l so in Let te r XIX — th e c r i t ici s m tu r n s

. .

o n t h e implied c o mp a ris o n o f individu a l t h i n gs w i t h gene ra l

ide as In t h e p assage n ow unde r c on s ide r at i on— a l s o in

.

E thic s IV lxv — th e c r i tici s m t ur n s o n t h e r el at ive or

,
. .

r el a t i o n a l c ha r a c t e r o f t h e t e r m s g ood a nd evil ”
.

5 9 2 8 fl Th e c o ncludi n g p arag ra p h o f t h e c h a p t e r l oo ks
, .

s u s pici o u s T h e f o r ce o f t h e a ddi t i o n a l a r gumen t is n ot

.

o bvi o u s Nor is t h e r e a n y t h ing like its t r end o f ide as

.

el s ew h ere in S pin oz a S ig w art is a cc o rdingly i n c lined t o .

r ega r d it a s a n i n t e r p ol at i o n by a di s ciple of S pi n oza .

S E CO ND PA RT

PR E FAC E

63 . Cf E thic s,. II .
, th e O pe ning s en tences ,
an d p r o p os i t i o n s
x . a n d X i.

63, fl i s l12
o ng a ddi t i o.n w a s m
Th os t p r o b a bly n ot me a n t

t o be a n ote a t a l l a n d s eem s t o be mi s pl a ced S ee t h e , .

c omme n t on ch a p t er i Th e diff e rent p arts of th i s l ong .

n ot e ma y be c o mp a r ed w i t h S pin o z a s o th e r u tt e ra nce s a s
’

f o ll ow s 1 Cf E thic s I I x .
3 cf E thic s I f i
.
4 cf ,
. . . .
,
. . . .

E thic s I xxx 11 iii iv , . 6 — 8 c f E thic s I I xiii ( t o t h e e n d

.
, . . . . .
,
. .

o f Lemm a 9 c f E thi c s I I x i 1 0 1 2 c f E th.ic s 11 .

,
. .
— . .
,
.

Lemm a iii —vii ; 1 3 cf E thic s I I xii xiv ; 1 4 of E thics

. . . .
, . . . . .
,

IV xxxix 1 5 Th i s p a r t of t h e n ote is n ot r e a lly e ssen t ial

. . .
,

a n d is in a n y c a s e i n a ccu ra t e T h e c o n tras t r equi r ed is t h a t .

betw ee n u n i o n w i t h su bstanc es a nd uni o n w i th modes tha t

given is between uni on w i th thought a nd uni o n w ith exten
sion b ot h of w h ic h ar e s ub sta nce s in t h e l o os e r s en s e — t h a t
,

a ttr ibu t e s o f s ub s ta nce Pr o b a bly t h i s p art o f th e n ote

”
is ,
.

wa s n ot w r i tt en by S pin oza in its p re s en t f or m .

6 4 I S ee pp 2 1 17
, . . .
 C O MM E N TA R Y 203

6 6, Acc o r ding t o th e r es e rva ti o n h e re ma de God or

1— 5 .
,

S ub s ta n c e is n o p a r t o f th e n atu r e o f m a n bec a u s e a l th o ugh ,

m a n c o uld n o t be o r be c o n ceived w i th ou t G o d y e t G od
, ,

c o uld w ell be a nd be c o n ceived w i th ou t m a n Cf E thic s I I

, . .
,
.
,

De fini ti on ii a nd p r op x .
, . .

I C HAPTE R

6 7 Th e o pening w o rd s o f t h i s c h a p t e r a l s o t h e o pen i ng
.
,

a n d c o ncludi n g r em a r k s o f th e Pr e fa ce p 6 line
( 3 s 6 fl a n d .
, ,

p 6 6 lines 5 fl) le a d o ne to expec t a n exp osi ti on of th e

.
, ,
“

m o de s of w h ich m an c o n s i sts Wh at is a c t u a lly c o n sidered

.
”

in th i s c h a p te r is th e th ree ki n ds of kn ow ledge wh ile the ,

“

m ode s of w h ic h man c o n si sts a re dis cu ss ed in th e l ong ”

n o te to t h e Pr e fa ce ( pp 6 3 fl ) Fr euden tha l h a s th e r efo r e

. .

s ugge s t ed t h e f o ll o w ing expl a n at i o n O r igin ally c h a p t e r i

. .

did tr e at of th e m o de s of w h ic h m a n c on s i sts
“
B u t d is .
,

s a t i s fied w i t h t h a t fi r st a cc o un t S pin oz a w r ot e a n e w e xp osi

,

t i o n t o r epl a ce or t o s uppleme n t it O w i n g h o w eve r t o

-

.
, ,

s o me mi s unde r s ta nding o f r e f e r ence s ign s t h e c o pyi s t o r

t ra n s l a t or t r ea t ed th e n e w exp o s i t i o n a s a n ot e t o t h e Pr e
f a ce o mi tting a t t h e s a me t ime th e o lde r a cc o un t w h ic h
, ,

S pin o z a h a d p r o b a bly c r o ss ed t h ro ugh or m a r ked in so me ,

w a y as u n sat i s fa c tory N ot e 1 s eem s t o be a feeble a ttemp t

.
“

o n t h e p a r t o f a r e a de r or C o pyi s t t o r ec o ncile t h e o pening

w or d s w i t h t h e a c t u a l c on t en t s of t h e ch a p te r .

6 7 7 f Th e me a ning is cle ar n a mely t h e m ode s t o be

,
.
, ,
'

c onside r ed fi rst a re th e m odes of th ought bec a u s e t h e s e ar e ,

kn ow n or expe rienced m ore immedi at ely tha n th e m o de s of

ext en s i on m at eri al o bj ec ts i n cluding h um a n b odies), ,

o u r knowl edg e of a l l m o de s o f ex t en s i o n being o f c o u r s e , ,

included a m o ng t he m ode s of c ogni t i on Th e l a ngu age .

,

h o w eve r is ra th e r o b s cu r e
,
W h at is t h e c on s ci ous ne ss of
.
“

th e kn ow ledge of o u rs elve s I t h as been s ugge s t ed by

F r eudent h al t h at th e origin a l Lat i n m ay h ave bee n I ncipi ,
“

a mu s a b iis qui primi nob is c ogniti sunt, sc il ic et a quib usda m

20 4 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E LL-B E I N G
ideis vel a c og nitione nostri et deinde a ga mu s de re bu s qu a

e xtra nos s u nt ,
”
and th a t i w as ( like s o c o g n itio n e n os tr

m an y oth e r exp r e ss i ons in t h e Treatise) tra n sl ated twice ove r

by m e d e g e we te n ( tra n sl a ted c ons ci ou s ne ss a nd ken “

n i ss e a n d t h e w h o le mi s c o n st r ued I n a cc or d a n ce w i t h t h i s
"
.
,

pl a u sible eme n dati on w e sh ould r e a d h er e c e r ta i n

ide as or ou r k now ledge and th en w e sh all tr e at o f t he th i ng s

,

wh ic h ar e ou t side u s .

6 7 1 0 fl He r e w e h a ve a t h ree f o ld cl a ss ific a t i o n of t h e
,
.

diffe re n t kinds of kn o wledge w h ich is devel oped in to a f ou r ,

f old s c h eme by s ubdividing t h e fi r s t ki n d o f kn ow ledge In .

c h a p te r ii t h e distinc ti o n be t ween t h e t w o s ubdivi s i o n s of

.

t h e fi rst kind o f k n owledge is p ass ed o ve r w h ile it is e mp h a ,

s ise d in c h a p t e r iv ( 76 1 7 fl ) . In th e Tra ctatus de I ntel

,
.

l eotu s E mendatione ( pp 7 f ) w e find t h e f o u r fo ld s c h eme

. .
,

w h ile in t h e E thic s I f X ] S c h o l 2 S pin o z a r e t u r n s t o t h e

,
. . .
,

t h r ee fo ld s c h eme T h e s peci a l st r e ss l a id o n t h e f ou rf o ld
.

s c h eme in t h e Tr de I nt E m ( a s G eb h a r d t h a s s ugge s t ed )
. . .

wa s p r oba bly due t o t h e influence of B a c on Indeed t he .

,

n a me o f th e s ec o nd kind o f kn o wledge ( or of th e s ec ond

s ubdivi s i o n o f w h a t is h e r e th e fi rs t ki n d ) n a mely p erc ep tio , ,

a b exp erie ntia va ga o ccu rs in B a c o n s Novum Orga nu m I c

’
, ,
. .

I n a n o t e in t h e Tr de I nt E m ( p 9 ) S pin oz a p r o mi s e s a
. . . .

f ulle r a cc o un t o f expe r ience a nd of th e me th o ds of

“
,

r ecen t empi ic a l p h il osop h e rs Th e r e f e r ence is m o st

“
r .

p ro b ably t o B a c on f ro m wh os e e stim at e of experience

,

S pi n o z a diffe r ed m a in t a ining ( a s aga in st B a c on ) th a t it is

,
“

s o me th ing a l toget h e r unce r ta in by me a n s o f it the ,

a cciden t s o nly of n a t u ra l t h ings a re a pp r e h ended a n d t h ey

,

a r e neve r c le a r ly u n de rs t o o d w i t h ou t a p r evi ou s kn owle d ge

of t h ei r e s s e n ce s

6 7 1 1 Th e first kind o f kn ow ledge ( in t h e thr ee f old

, .

s c h eme ) is h e r e c a lled belie f b u t in c ha p te rs ii a nd iv

“ ”
, . .

( a n d el s e wh e r e ) o pini o n Th e L a t i n w a s p ro b a bly th e
“ ”
.

sa me in a l l c a s e s n a mely o inio ngli l belie ”

, p I n E s h a ,s o f .
206 G O D , M AN, A ND H I S W E LL-BE I N G
Th e t h r ee f oot-n ot e s o n th i s p a ge a n d th e fi rst th r ee foot ,

n ote s o u p 6 8 a re m ost pro b a bly m a rgin al n ot e s or su m

.
,

m a ries m a de by some r e a der of th e M S from wh i c h A .

w as c o pied .

C HAPTE R I I
6 9 2 2 5 Cf E thic s IV Appendix
, . . iii : O ur ac t i on s t h at
,
.
, .
“
,

is t o s ay th os e de s i r e s w h ich are de t e r mined by m a n s p ow e r

’
,

or re as o n a re a l w a y s g o o d ; th e o th e rs may be g o od or
,

evil Cf a l so E thic s I I I iii

.
”
.
, . .

Pa s s i o n ( m ffl g pa ssio afiectus or perturbatio) w as u s ed

o , ,

in the t ime of S pin oza a nd even l at e r in a much w ide r s en s e

, ,

th a n a t p r e s en t I t den o ted n ot t h e vi o len t em ot i o n s o nly

.
,

b u t a l l f eeling s s en t imen ts a n d d e s i r e s a s s o m a ny w ay s in
, , ,

w h ic h t h e mind s u ff e rs or is a ff ec t ed by ex t e r n a l t h ing s
“ ” “ ”
.

6 9 2 6 fi Cf E thics f l
, . Axi om iii
. S uch m ode s of
, .

t h oug ht a s l ove de s i r e d o n o t a r i s e u n le s s t h er e is
,

a l so,
in t h e s ame individu al a n ide a o f th e th ing l oved , ,

de s i red & c B u t th e idea ma y be th e r e even w h en no

, .

o t h e r m o de of t h o ugh t is p r e s en t .

Th e vie w t h a t kn o w ledge is th e p roxim at e ca u s e of a l l

t h e p a ss i o n s is o pp os ed t o th e C ar t e s i a n vie w a cc ording ,

t o w h ic h th e p as s i o n s a re p roduced s u sta ined a nd , ,

s tr eng th ened by s ome m ovemen t o f t h e a nim a l s pi r i ts

( D e P a ssionibu s A nima I S pin oz a as s ign s a pur ely

, .

men t al origin t o th e p assi o n s wh ile De sca rte s a sc r ibed ,

th em in l ar ge me a su r e t o p h y s i o l ogic a l c a u s e s .

III C HAPTE R
70 I n his tr e at men t of th e p as si on s in t h i s a nd t h e
.

f oll ow ing c h ap t e r s S pin o z a f o ll ow s cl os ely De s c a r t e s o rde r

’

o f exp o s i t i o n in h is D e P a ssionibu s A nima Pa r ts I I a nd I I I , .

( T h i s w a s a l r e a dy n o t iced by B o e h me r w h en h e publi s h ed

t h e Ou tl ine of the S hort Tr ea tise ) Th e f o ll ow ing t a ble s (see .

o pp os i te ) ( ta ken w i th s ligh t c h a nges f ro m S ig wart) w ill

, ,

ma ke t h i s cle a r .
 C O M M E N TA RY

D E S C AR T E S
’
DE PA 5 5 1ONI S PI N O ZA S ’
S H OR T TR E A TI S
B US A NI MAF
‘

PA R T I I . PA RT II .

6 9-1 4 8 . A dmira tio Ch . i ii .

A mor A mor
vi . O diu m (A ver s io)
vii .

Laetitia La titia

PA R T III .

1 4 9- 1 52 . E xis tima tio et De v ii i . Exis tima tio c l Conte mp l a s

'

Gener os ita s et H a mi Gener os ita s H u mil il a s

S up er b ia et H u mil ita s S up er b ia , A bj ec tio

vitios a

Vener a tio et D ed zg
na tio

S p es et M etus S p es c i Metus
S ecu r zta s c l D esp er a tio S ecu rita s , D esp era tio
’

Z el otyp ia
A n inzi fl u c tua tio A nim i fl u c tua tio
A nimos ita s et A u da c ia I ntrep id ita s e t A u da c ia
E mu l a tio E m u l a tio
P us il l a n imita s et Con P u s il l a n imita s, Z el ob /p ia
s ter na tia

Consc ientia mors u s Consc ie ntia morsu s

I rr is io of f ocus xi . I rr is io e t j ocu s
I nvidia I n vid ia
Commis er a tio X I V. D es ider ium
A cqu ies centia in se

1 91 . P a nitentia P a nitentia
1 92 . l il l l . Fa vor
n I 93, 1 94 Gra titu do ci [ rig ra ti Gra titu do et I ng ra titudo

1 95
—20
3 .
a, I r a , I nd ig na tio
2 0 4- 2 0 6 . Gl or ia et P udor as
x11 . H on or c l P udor
I mp ua entia I mp u a entia
’ ’
207 .

209 . D es ider i u m
20 8 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
As eg ar d s deta il s th er e a re nume r ou s imp orta n t d if
r ,

f e re n c e s be t w een S pin oz a s a n d De s c a rt e s vie ws o n t h e

’ ’

p assi on s .

70 8 fi S pin oz a s a cc o un t o f s u rp r i s e is or igin a l
’ “
. .
,

De sc arte s S imply des c ribed it a s ev oked by th ings ra r e “

a n d ext r a or di n ary b u t h e did n ot expl a in it

, .

7 0 2 8 f Th e c o ncluding p ar t o f t h e n o t e s eem s t o be
,
.

di rec ted a ga in st t h e vie w t h at S u r p r i s e is ev oked c h iefly

by w ha t is a bs olu t ely n e w B ut th e th o ught is expr e ss ed .

impe rf ectly .

72 2 0 fl S pin oza s a cc oun t o f H atred is ve ry di ff e ren t

’
.
,

f ro m t h a t o f De s ca rt e s ( op c it I I . . .

73 4 f Th e a cc o u nt h er e given of De s i r e is r eve r s ed in
,
.

E thic s I l I ix S c h ol w h e r e it is m ain t a ined t h at w e d o n ot

,
. . .
,

des i re a n yth ing beca u s e w e th ink it is g ood b u t on t h e , ,

c ontra r y w e j udge a th ing to be g oo d bec a u s e we

,

de sir e it .
”

C HAPTE R IV
7 4, 9 f I n ge ometry e g w e r e aso n th a t s uch and s uc h a
.
, . .
,

figu r e mu st h ave s uch a nd s uch p r o pe rt ie s b ut we d o n ot

p rove th e r eby tha t s uc h a figu r e a c tua lly exi sts .

7 4 1 9 5 Th e me a ning o f
, . B elie f h e r e ( a s a l r e a dy
r em ar ked ) is peculi a r E qu a lly peculi a r is th e u s e h e r e
.

m a de of th e t er m Kn owledge ( = s pi ri tu al in tui ti o n ) a nd ,

t h e w ay in w h ic h B elie f Kn ow ledge
“ “ ”
a nd are c o n

t rast e d oe l h as d raw n a tt e n t i o n t o p a ra llel p a s s age s in

]
-
.

t h e w r i t ing s of C r e s c as t w o o f wh ic h ma y be given h e r e , .

In word s ve r y like line s 1 9—2 1 C r esc as says th at B elie f is

o nly t h e c o n v ic t i o n r e s ul ti n g f r o m t h e nece ss i t y o f t h e c as e

t h a t t h e t h ing o u t s ide t h e s o ul is s uc h as it is r ep r e s en t ed t o
be in t h e s oul In c o n tra s t to B elie f cle ar Kn owledge is
.
”
,

de s cr ibed by S pin oz a ( in lines 2 5 3 0 f a nd el s e wh e re) a s , .

an
“
immedi at e uni o n w i th a n d in tellec tu a l enj oyment “ ”

o f w h at is t h u s kn own C r e s c as di s t ingui sh e s be t w een

.
2 10 GO D , MAN AN D , H IS W E LL-BE IN G
78 , 5f
1 .
“
u
G od , C/ p 1 0 3
or 1ine 1 6 — G od Tr th . . .
,

is T r u th Tr u th is Go d
,
B ec a u s e by Tr u th S pin o a . z

me a n s th e r e a l e s s ence of th ings as t h ough t ( M a rtinea u )

“
.

78,
Acc or ding to th i s l ove is a l w ay s in tellec tu a l ,
.

De s c art e s h a d di st ingui sh ed be tw een a mor intel l ectual is a nd

a mor se ns itivu s t h e l a t t er o f wh ic h w as s upp o s ed to be due
,

en ti rely t o p h ys i ol ogic a l c a u s e s .

78 2 0 f I n the Tra c tatu s Theol ogic o-

, . P ol itica s c ap X VI , .

S pin o z a s p ea k s of it as a unive rsa l l aw o f h um a n n at u r e

t h at w e c a n o nly r elinqui sh w h at w e t h ink g oo d in o ne of
th e t w o w a y s s ta t ed h e r e .

7 9 8 fi Th i s expl a n a t i o n o f l o ve a ppe ars to be or igi n a l

, .

it is n ot in De s cart e s .

8 0 3 0 —32 O n e w o uld expec t

,
. G o d a l o ne j s a
su bsta nc e Th e Du t c h is weezen ( e s s ence ) weezens ,

( e ss ence s ) weze n ( en t i t y
, ) .

8 1 15 fi O n the
,
in tellect u a l l ove of God ( Amor Dei
.
“

intell ec tual is) se e E thics V x xxii f ,

. . .

VI C HAPTE R

8 2 3 f Th i s defi n i ti o n o f H a tr ed is r e st r ic t ed o n t h e nex t
,
.

p age ( line s 8 fl ) s o as t o exclude th e i na n im ate a n d th e

.

i rre sp o n s ible from its obj ec ts O n p 7 2 ( line s 2 0 f ) w e h a d . . .

e t a n o th e r a cc o un t f m di ff e en t p o in t o f vie w I n
y r o a r ,
.

E thic s I I I (xiii S c h o l a l s o D e f vii a t t h e end o f th e B o ok )

, . . .
,
. .

H atred is defined even m ore w idely th a n h er e n amely a s , ,

s orr ow w i th t h e a cc o mp a nying ide a o f its ext e r n a l c a u s e

“

w h ile in IV xlv S c h o l it is r e s t r ic ted a g a in so a s t o

. . .

exclude a l l b ut h um an beings fr om its obj ects .

8 3 1 6 17 He r e th i n g s w h ic h ar e th e
, . a cciden ta l c au se s “

o f i nj u r y are excluded f r o m a m o ng t h e o bj ec ts o f a ve r
“

sion ; in E thic s I I I D e f ix o f t h e A ff ec t s a ve r s i o n is
”
.
, . .
,

defined a s sor o w w i th th e a cc o mp a nyi ng ide a of s ome

“
r

o bj ec t a s t h e a c c iden t a l c a u s e o f t h e so rr o w .

8 3 2 o fi He r e is de s c r ibe d a s a n ej ec t o f
“ ”
, s o rr o w
.

h atr ed & c ; in th e a b ove de fini t i o n s (f r o m t h e E thic s)

, .
 CO MM E N TA RY 21I

h a tred ve rs i o n a r e desc r ibed a s sp ec ies o f s or row

a nd a .

We t h us s eem t o h ave h e re a n iden tific a ti o n o f causa

proxi ma w i th genus proximu m Cf p 1 99 . . . .

8 3 2 1 Ange r is a cc o r dingly defined in E thics

, . III , .

D e f x xxvi
. as t h e de s i r e by w h ic h w e a re impelled
.
,
“
,

th r oug h h a tr ed t o inj u r e t h os e w h o m w e h at e , .
”

8 3 24 E nvy is defined in E thic s I I I

, . D e f xxiii as , . . .
,

h a t r ed in so f a r a s it a ff ec t s a m a n s o t h a t h e is S a d a t -

t h e g o o d f or tune of a n o th e r pe rs o n a n d is gl a d w h en s o me ,

evil be fa ll s h im ”
.

8 4 5 f Cf E thic s IV xviii S c h o l ( Homini igitur nihil

, . .
,
. . .
“

homine util iu s xxxv C o ro l i a n d xxxvii . . .

, .

8 4 1 6 fl Cf E thic s IV xlv
, . . . . .

VI I C HAPT E R

a re u s ed in a ve r y w ide s en s e
”
85 j
“
oy a n d S o rr o w
’

. ,

a lm o s t a s t h e equiv a le n t s o f Ple a su r e a n d Pa i n Th ey “ ”
.

pl ay a m or e imp orta n t ril e in th e E thics tha n t h ey d o h e r e .

85 8 ,
Th e sa me c a u s e s — t h a t is t h e ide a t h at a c e rt a in
.
“
,

t h ing is g o o d .

8 5 1 2 f Th e defini t i on h e r e given o f S orro w is th e s a me

, .

a s t h a t o f G r ie f o n p
99 li n e s 5 f I n t h,
e E thi cs ( I I I .
, . .

D e f iii of t h e A ff ec ts ) S orrow ( Tristitia ) is defined as m a n s

’
. .

t ra n s i t i o n f r o m g r e at e r t o le s s e r pe rf ec t i o n De s c artes ”
.

h a d defined it a s t h e e ff ec t o f a p re s en t evil .

8 5 1 7 fl Cf E thic s IV xli
, . w h e r e S pi n o z a s a y s th a t
.
, . .
,

j o y is in i t s el f g o o d a n d S o rr ow evil bec a u s e
Jyo inc r e as e s
, ,

t h e b ody s p owe r of a c t i o n w h ile S or r o w dimini sh e s it

’
.
,

8 6 2 f Cf Tra ct de I nt E m ( p
, . . w h e r e S pin o z a s ay s
. . . .

t ha t s tri f e h a t r ed sorr o w j e a l o u sy a n d o th e r evil p as si on s

, , , ,

a r i s e f r o m t h e l ove o f t h e t r a n s ie n t o n ly b u t l o ve f or a n “
,

o bj ec t e t e rn a l a n d infini te f e e d s t h e mind w i th u n mi xed j o y

'
”
.

Cf E thic s V xx
.
, . .

8 6 7 R emi n i s c e n t o f P sa l m xvi 1 1
, . .

I n thy p r ese nc e is ful nes s of j oy ,

I n thy right ha nd there are pl ea su re s for ever more .

212 GO D, MAN AND , H IS W E LL-B E I N G

C HA PTE R VI I I
8 7 , 7-9 t h e E thics . In (III . De f . Aff . xxi . XX I I .
) E xisti
matio a nd D esp ectu s a r e c o nta in a n c onceived so as to
elemen t of bi as E xistimatio ( over-esteem) c o n si sts in th ink
.
“

in g t o o h ig h l y o f s o me o n e in c o n s equence of ou r l o ve f or
°

h im D esp ec tu s c o n s i s ts in th i n k i n g t oo li tt le of s ome on e
in c o n s eque nce of ou r h a tr ed a ga in st h im .
”

87 10 ,
S el f-
r e s pec t
. T h e Dut c h is E del moedigheid ,

w h ic h gene ra lly me a n s n oble be a r ing or generos i t y “ ”

.

Generosita s h o w eve r is defined in E thic s I I I lix S c h o l a s

, , ,
. . .
,
“
th e de s i r e by w h ich f ro m t h e dic ta t e s of r e a s o n a l o ne e a c h
pe rso n e n de av ou rs t o h elp oth e r pe o ple a nd to j oin th em t o
h im s el f in f riend s h ip Th i s is ve ry unlike wh at is de sc ribed
.

h e re .

87 18 ,
C o ncei t ( Verwaa ntheid)
. S up e r bia (E thic s I I I , .

Aff D e f
. undue s el f-e steem p romp ted by s el f
.

l ove .

8 7 20 ,
Culp a ble h umili ty .
( straf ba re nedrigheid)
A bj e c tio w h ic h is defined in E thics I I I Aff D e f x xix as
, , . . .
,
“
t h i n k i ng t oo li ttle o f o n e s el f t h r oug h s o rr ow , .

88 6 fl I n t h e E thic s ( IV liii ) S pin oz a says th at

, . . .

Humil ty is n ot a vi rtue bec a u s e th e rati on a l ma n sh o uld

i ,
”

t h i n k o f w h at h e c a n d o n o t o f w h a t h e ca nnot d o M or e
, .

o ve Hu m ili ty is a s pecie s of s orro w a nd sor row is a l w ay s

r, ,

b ad App a ren t ly t h e g oo d s ide of tr ue h umili ty h as

.
“ ”

been j oined to s el f-re spec t t o c o n sti tu t e a cquiesc entia in

se ip so th e c o n t en t men t r e s ul t ing f r o m a j u st e s t im a t e o f
,

o n e s p o w er s
’
:

8 8 3 2 S cep t ici s m h a d a ce r ta in v ogue in t h e t ime of

, .

S pi n oza a n d rat i o n a li st p h il os o p h ie s w e r e o f t en c o n f o un d ed
,

w i th it He n ce p h il os o p h e r s like B a c on De sca rt e s a nd
.
, ,

S pi n oz a f el t it n e c e s sa ry t o b r e a k a l a n ce w i t h S cep t ici s m s o
’

a s t o m a k e it c le a r t h a t th ey w e r e n o S cep t ic s I n th e Tra ct . .

de l u t E m ( p 1 4 ) S pi n o a r em a r k s o f th e S cep ti c s Th ey
‘
“
. . . z
2 14 GO D , M A N, A ND H I S W E LL-B E I N G
91, 27 fl .
li S c h ol
E thic s, I II I w ill ca ll th a t m an b rav e
. . .
“

( intrepidu m) w h o de s pi s e s a n e vil w h ic h I u s u lly f e a r

”
a .

E thic s I I I Aff D e f X l
, . B oldne s s ( Auda cia ) is a de s i r e
. .
“

by w h ic h o ne is i n ci ted to d o s o meth ing pe r il o u s w h ic h h is

f el l o ws f e a r t o at temp t Th e Du tc h t e r ms a re moed .
”

( e
li n kl oekmoedigheid ( line a n d dapp erheid (li n e

9 1 3 0 fl E thic s I II Aff D e f xxxiii : E mul at i o n c o n sists

.
, . . . .
“

in f eeling a de s i r e f or s ometh ing beca u s e w e imagine tha t

o t h e rs h a ve t h e s a me de s i re
”
.

9 1 3 3 fl E thic s I I I Aff D e f X II
, .
, Pu s ill a n imi ty [ or
. . .

C o w a r dice] is att r ibu t ed t o o n e w h os e d e s i r e [ t o d o s o me

th i ng ] is C h ecked by th e f e a r ( timor) o f a d a nge r w h ic h h is
f ell ow s a r e n ot a fra id t o f a ce .

92 1 E thics I I I li S C I O I
, .
,Th e m a n w h o f e ars a n evil
. . I

w h ic h I u s u a lly de s pi s e w ill a ppe a r t imid ( timidu s ) .

a l o u s ie gi v e n in t h e M S S a s t h e ( Fr en c h )
”
92 2 , j .
“
i s .

equiv a len t f or B el gzu cht ; a pp aren t ly t he t ra n s l a tor w a s

“ ”

n o t s u r e h o w t o t ra n s l a t e zel ot i Acc ding E hi III

yp a o r t o t c s .
, .

xxxv S ch ol j e a l o u sy is a v a cill ati on of mind ar is ing f ro m

. .
,
“

a f eeli ng o f b o t h l o ve a nd h a tr ed [ f o r a ce r ta i n o bj ec t] ,

a cc o mp a nied by th e ide a o f a n ot h e r pe rso n w h o is h a t ed

[ bec au s e h e h a s s uppl a n t ed
92 8 fl O n H o pe Fe a r a nd t h ei r e ff ec ts s e e E thic s IV
, , , , , .

xlvii k m ; o n C onfidence a nd De sp a i r E thics I I I Aff

.
, ,
. .

D e f xv
. .

93 1 0, B o ldne ss
. Th e Du t c h is S toutheid . .

C HAPTE R X

94, 5 fl . R emors e me w(hKn

aat i
dnif
)
g g s i c onceived so

f e r e n tl y in t h e E thic s ( I I I Aff D e f w h e r e it ( Con . . .

sc ientia morsus ) is defined as so rr ow a cc o mp a nied by t h e

ide a of so me th i n g p ast w h ich h a ppened u n expec tedly ”

c o ntrary to expectat i on s) Th i s is Di sa pp oin tmen t rath er .

t h a n R em or s e Verrassing ( ras h ne s s line 5 ) u s u a lly me a n s

.
,

s u rp r i s e .
 CO M M E N TA R Y 215

94s, 7 f R epe nt a nce ( Bc rouw)

.
. I n E thic s , I I I . A ff . Def .

xxvii , P aenitc ntia is defi n ed a s

. so rr ow a cc o m p a n ied by th e
ide a O f someth i ng d o n e w h ich w e , believe th at w e did by a
f r ee de c i s i o n o f th e mind
”
.

9 4 1 8 fl Th e defi n i t i o n s o f Re m o s e R epen t “
, . a nd r

anc e gi ven h e r e ( in th e S hort Trea tise) a r e t he sa me as

t h os e given by De sc a rt e s ( D c P a ss A n I I I 1 77 B ut . . .
,

S pin o za s e s t im a t e o f t h e m is a l t oge t h e r O pp os ed t o th a t of
’

Desca rte s w h o c on s ide r s r em orse u s e ful as t endi ng t o

,
”

make people m or e c a u ti ou s in f u tu r e a n d r epe nta n c e a s ,

“
m ost u se f ul beca u se leading t o a n imp roveme n t in
c onduc t I n E thics IV liv S ch ol S pin oz a m ake s a n ot e
.
, . . .
,

w o rt h y c o nce s s i o n I f men imp ot en t in mind

. wer e
a sh a med o f n o t h i n g a n d f e a r ed n ot h ing h o w c o uld t h ey be
, ,

uni ted or r e stra ined Th e m ob i n s pi re s f ea r w h en it f eel s

n on e No w o nde r th e ref ore t ha t th e Pr o p h e ts w h o w er e
.
, , ,

c o ncerned a b ou t th e w el far e not of th e f e w b u t of th e c om , ,

muni ty c ommended Humili ty R epe nta n ce a n d R e ve r e n c e

, , ,

s o g r e at ly And indeed th os e w h o a re s ubj ect to t h e s e

.

f eeli ng s c a n be led much m o r e e a s ily t h a n o t h e r s so a s t o ,

live even tu ally by t h e guid n ce of R e ason th at is t o be free a , , ,

a n d live t h e li f e o f t h e ble s s ed
”
.

XI C HA PTE R

95 Cf E thic s I I I lii S c h ol
. .
, De ri s i o n (I rrisio) sp ri ngs
. .

f r o m ou r c o n t emp t f or a t h i n g w h ic h w e h a te o r f e ar S c o r n ,

(D edigna tio) f ro m t h e c o n temp t o f f olly

”
, .

95 5 fl Cf E thic s IV 1 S ch o l
, . . H e w h o k nows righ tly
, . . .

t h a t a l l t h i n g s f o ll o w f ro m t h e n ece ss i ty o f t h e di vine n a t u r e ,

a n d c ome t o p ass a cc o r di n g t o t h e e t e r n a l l a ws a n d r ule s

o f N a t u r e w ill f o r s o o th find n ot h i n g de s e r ving o f H a t r ed

, ,

Laugh te r o r C ont empt , ( f

C G e or ge E li o t
. : T o unde r .
“

s t a n d e v er y t h ing w o uld be t o p a d o n eve ry t h in

”
g ) r

95 1 5 Th i s w a s p ro b ably di r ec t ed a g a i n s t t h e V ie w of
, .
 2 16 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
De s c ar tes (D c Pa ss An I I I 1 8 0 ) t h at a j udici ou s u se of
. . .

de ris i o n migh t dimini sh vi c e by m a ki n g it a ppe ar r idi c ul ou s .

95 1 8 f Cf E thic s IV liii S c h o l : I se e a gr e t di ff e r ence

, . .
, . . . a

be tw een Deri s i o n ( w h ic h I stat ed t o be b a d ) a nd

l a ugh te r F or l aughter a n d j es ti ng (foc us ) like w i s e is sh ee r
.
, ,

Jo y ; a n d is th e r e f or e g oo d in i ts el f p ro vided it be n o t ,

exce ss ive N ot h i ng s u r ely b u t a gl oo my a n d s a d s uper

.
, ,

s t it io n f o r bid s e nj o yme n t
”
.

S pi r i t s Th e a llu s i o n is t o t h e sp iritu s a nimal es

"
95 2 2
, . .
,

th e vi ta l o r a nim a l s pi ri t s Th e d o c tr ine o f spiritu s a nimal es

.

is f ound a l re a dy in t h e w r i t ing s o f t h e a n cien t S to ic s a nd

t h e medieva l S c h o l a s tic s b u t w a s devel o ped m or e f ully by
,

Des cartes H arvey s di sc ove ry o f th e c i rcul a ti on o f th e

.
’

bl ood enc ou raged De s c art es in th e w orking o u t of h l S c on

c e p tio n o f t h e a u t o m a t ic c h a ra c te r o f a n im a l o rg a ni s m s .

H is du a li s m— th at is h is V ie w th a t mi n d a nd b o dy w e r e
,

en ti rely di ff er en t s ub s t a nce s w h ic h c o uld n ot di r ec tly in

fl u e n c e e a c h ot h e r— m a de it n ece s s a ry f o r h im t o expl a in
a l l p h y s i o l o gic a l p r o ce s s e s by th e p r inc i ple s o f mec h a nic s .

Th e h um a n b o dy w a s a cc or di ngly r eg a r ded by h im a s a
cleve rly c o n tr ived m a c h i n e al l th e p a r ts o f w h ich ( h e ar t
, ,

lungs b ra in n e rve s mu scles & c ) c o -O pe r ated o r a c ted on

, , , ,
.
,

e a ch o th e r th rough th e medi a ti on o f th e bl oo d w h ich ci re n

,

l ated a l l ove r t h e body Now in p a ssing thr ough th e h eart

.

t h e bl o o d ( it w as s a id ) bec o me s h e a ted its fi n e s t p art icle s ,

th e r eup o n s ep ara t e fr o m th e c oa r s er o ne s a n d r i s e t o th e ,

bra in w h ile t he r e s t of t h e bl ood w h i c h is too th ick f or th e

, ,

a rt e r ie s le a di n g t o t h e b ra in ci r cul a t e s t h r o ug h th e o th e r
,

p arts of th e b ody It wa s th i s ve ry fine p art of th e bl o od

.
,

w h ic h a l o ne h a d a cce ss t o t h e b ra in th a t De s c art e s c a lled ,

s pi r i t s ( sp iritus or esprits a nima wc sp iritus a nimaics ) .

M ore over b e r ega r ded th e pinea l gl a n d in th e bra i n to

,
“

be th e s ea t of th e S oul a n d (de vi at ing f r o m th e requi re

,

men ts of h is du ali st ic p h il o s op hy) h e m a i n ta i n ed th a t th e _

s oul c o uld infl u ence t h e b o dy n ot indeed by s e t t ing in ,

218 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
va i ngl o ry is not O pp os ed to r ea so n a nd may even s p ri ng ,

f r o m it a n d ( IV Appe n dix . xxiii ) t h a t S h a me a l so h elp s

,
.

t o w a r d s c o n c or d t h o ugh only a s r eg a r d s s uc h t h ings a s

,

c a nn ot be conce aled .
"

97 1 1 5 Wh en De s c a rte s r e f e r s t o th e g oo d s ide of Gl o ry
, .

a n d S h a me h e m e a n s goo d f or th e person wh o h a s th e s e
“

f eeli ng s S pi n o z a h e r e m a ke s a v e ry di ff e r en t s ugge s t i o n
"
.
,

n a mely h ow s uc h a pe rso n m ay th u s be e na bled to d o

,

good to others wh o migh t oth e rwi s e n ot c o me under h is

,

influence .

It is in t e r e s t ing to c o mp ar e S pin oz a s p h il osop hy of ' “

cl oth e s w i th wh at his bi og ra p h e rs r el ate of h im Luc as .

.

( t h e e a r lie s t bi og ra p h e r o f S pin o z a ) s a y s t h a t S pin o z a h im

s el f w a s a l w a y s c ar e f ul t o be d r e ss ed ne a t ly wh en h e w en t

o u t a n d s t ro ngly c o n demned delibe rat e negligence sayi ng

, , ,

“
I t is n ot a di rty a n d n egligen t a ppe a r a nce th a t m a ke s o n e
le arned C ol e r us o n th e oth e r h a nd r el ate s that S pin oza
.
”
, ,

w a s dr e s s ed n o be t te r t h a n o n e of t h e me a ne s t ci t izen s t h at
a ce rta in emine n t C o uncill or o f S ta t e w h ile vi s i t ing S pi n o z a

o n e d ay f o und h im in a s l ov enly m or ning g o w n a n d w h en -

,

bl a med f or it S pin oz a r eplied th at a m a n is n ot m ade be tter “

by h avi n g a fi n e r g ow n a n d t h at it is un re a so nable to,

” “

w ra p up t h ing s o f li t tle or n o va lue in a p r eci o u s c ove r

( see P o ll o ck s S p oza 2 n d ed p
in
’

,
Th e t wo acc o un ts
. .

a r e n ot nece s s ar ily i n c o mp a tible .

XI I I C HAPT E R

98 E thic s I I I Aff D e f xxx

.
,
. Fa v ou r is l ove towar ds
. .

o ne w h o h a s d o ne g oo d t o a n o th e r xxxiv : Grati tude “

.

( Gr a tia o r Gr a tit u d o ) is t h e de s i r e o r ende a v o u r o f l o v e w i th

w h ic h w e t r y t o d o g o o d t o on e wh o fro m a s imil ar f eeling
o f l ov e h as c o n f er r ed s o me benefi t o n u s
”
.

S pin o z a h e r e o pp os e s t h e vie w of De s c a rt e s wh o (D e P a ss , .

An I I I 1 94) c o n s ide r ed gra t i t ude

. . a l wa y s vi r t u o u s a s o n e
 CO MM E N TA R Y 2 19

of c h ie f b o nds of h um a n so ciet y In th e E thic s ( IV li )

th e . . .

S pin oz a sa y s t h a t F a vo u r is n ot opp os ed to re as on b u t
“
,

m ay agr ee w i th it a nd a r i s e f ro m it ; a n d ( IV lx xi ) t h a t
”
, . .

o nly t h o s e w h o a re f r ee a re m os t g ra t e f ul t o o n e a n oth e r
”
.

C HAPTE R XIV
99 E thic s,
. I I I Aff D e f xxxn G r ie f (D esiderium) is th e
. . .

de s i re or l o nging to p osse ss s ome th ing w h ic h [ de s i r e ] is ,

f os t e r ed by t h e mem ory of th e t h i n g a n d a t th e sa me t ime ,

r e s t ra ined by t h e mem o ry o f o th e r t h ings w h ic h e xclude t h e

exi stence of th e th ing l onged f or .

”

99 1 5 fl Th i s w a s m ost p r o b a bly me a n t t o be a n e w
,
.

ch ap ter de aling w i th th e f eelings gene ra lly f ro m S pin oza s

,
’

o w n peculi ar p o in t o f vie w .

99 1 6 N ot e t h e equi va lence o f
, Tr ue B elie f a nd
“

Re a s o n C! p 74 n o t e
. . .
, .

99 1 8 f S pin oza h e r e r epe a ts h is p r ot e st a ga in st t h e C ar

, .

te s ia n vie w t h a t t h e p a s s i o n s ar e de t e r mined by t h e m ove

men ts of t h e vi tal s pi ri ts Cf p 6 9 line 2 6 f .
”
. .
, .

99 2 0 f Th i s 18 a l s o in O pp os i t i o n t o De s c art e s w h o
, .
,

denied t h at th e s oul h a d a n y di r ec t c o n tro l ove r t h e p a ss i on s

(D e P ass A n I . Cf Ethic s V xx S c h o l
. . Th e p o w e r.
,
. .

o f th e mind is de t e r mi n ed s o lely by kn ow ledge w h ile its ,

imp ot ence or p ass i on is me a su r ed solely by t h e p riv at i o n

o f kn ow ledge an d t h e kn o w ledge of G o d ( S pin o z a a dd s )

en a ble s u s t o r educe the p ass i on s to a minimum if n ot to ,

de stroy t h em .

100 5 f Acc or ding t o De s c a rt e s (i bid I II

,
. al l p as . .
“

s i o n s a r e by n at u r e g oo d it is o nly t h ei r a bu s e th a t is
b ad .

100, fi 11 . . All
Cf Tra ct de I ntel E mend h a ppine ss
. . .
(p .

o r un h a ppine ss depend s o n t h i s a l o ne n a mely on t h e kind , ,

of o bjec t to w h ic h w e a r e at ta c h ed by l o ve F o r o n a cc o un t .

o f th a t wh ic h is n ot l o ved n o s t r i f e w ill eve r a r i s e t h e r e w ill ,

2 20 GO D , M AN,
“

AN D H IS W E LL-B E IN G
be n o sorrow if it pe rish es n o j e a l ou sy if it is p os se ss ed b v ,

a n o th e r n o f e a r n o h a t r ed a n d in a w o r d n o men ta l c o m
, , , , ,

m oti on ; al l w h ic h a ri s e indeed wh en w e l ove wha t is , ,

pe r i sh a ble B u t l ove f o r a n O bj ec t e t e r n a l a n d infini t e

.

f eed s t h e mi n d w i th unmixed j oy
”
.

100 2 9 fl Cf E thic s V xx S c h o l
,
. . L ove towards a n
, . .
“

o bj ec t immu t a ble a n d e t e r n a l c a n a l w a y s bec o me g r e a t er

a n d g r e a t e r a n d o ccupy t h e g r e a t e s t p a r t o f t h e mind a n d
, ,

a ff ec t it t h r oug h a n d t hr o ug h
”
.

C HAPTE R XV
1 02, 6 fl . Tr th u and F a l s if y a r e s imil arly defined in Cog .

M etaph I vi a n d in E thic s I Ax 6
. . .
,
I n t h e Tra ct de I ntel , . . . . .

E mend ( p 1 1 t ) h ow eve r a di ff e r en t vie w o f Tr uth a ppe a r s

. .
, , ,

in w h ic h n o r e fe r ence is m a de t o a greemen t o r c orr e “ ”

w i th th in g s T o h a ve a tr ue i de a is t o h a ve
”
s p o n d e nc e .

obj ec tive t h e ess entia forma l is of t h e t h ing t h o ug h t a b o u t

( th e id e a tu m ) Th i s vie w is. devel o ped a l so in E thic s I I , .

xxxiv &c wh e r e true ide a s a r e iden tified w i t h a d e

.
,
.
,
“ ” “

qu at e ide as f al se ideas w i th in a dequ a t e o ne s Cf

”
,
“ “ ”
. .

E thic s I I xliii
,
. .

102 1 0 fl Cf De s c ar t e s M ed I I I ( Vei t c h p 1 1 8 )
, . .
,
With . .
,
.
“

r e s pec t t o ide a s if t h e s e a r e c o n s ide r ed o nly in t h em s elve s

, ,

a n d a r e n o t r e f e rr ed t o a n y o bj ec t bey o nd t h em t h ey c a nn o t , ,

p rope rly spe aki ng be fa l s e ; f or wh e th e r I imagine a goa t

, ,

o r a c h ime r a it is n o t le s s tr ue th a t I im agine t h e o n e t h a n
,

t h e o th e r
”
.

102 1 5 De s c art e s ( P rinc Phil 1 lx -lxii — Vei t c h pp

,
. . . . . .
, .

2 1 9 fi ) s pe a k s of t h r ee kind s o f Di s t inc t i o n s n a mely r ea l

.
, , ,

moda l a nd l ogica l
,
A real di st i n ct i o n is th at betw een t wo
.

s ub st ance s a moda l di s t inc t i o n is t h at be t ween t h e m ode

“

p rope rly so c a lled a nd t h e s ub sta nce of wh ich it is a mode ,

o r t h a t be t ween t w o m o de s o f t h e s a me s ub s ta nce w h ile

a l ogical di st inc t i o n o r a distinction of rea son is th a t “
, ,
2 22 G O D , M AN, A ND H IS W E LL -B EIN G
on o ur p a rt b u t is nece ssary It is t rue tha t t he s en t ence
,
.

beginnin g line 2 6 a ppe ars to s ugge s t a kind of s e n sati ona li st

V ie w n a mely t h a t th e th ing s o u t s ide u s p r o d uce t h e ide a s in
, ,

us a n d t h e r e a re s imil ar p a s sa ge s in c h a p t e r s xvi a n d xix . .

( se e p . 1 0 9 line s 2 ,fl a n d p 1 2 3 ,
li n e s 2 9 . O n t h e,o th er
h a nd th e expl a n a ti o n o f e r r or in c h ap t er xvi ( p 1 1 0 line s I fl )
,
. .
,
.

s h ow s a very di ff e r en t vie w o f h um a n kn o w ledge a vie w ,

m or e like th at expl a ined in the E thic s w h er e h e i ns i st s on t h e ,

s p o n ta nei ty o f ide at i o n in o pp o s i t i o n t o t h e v ie w t h a t idea s

,

a re dumb pic tu r es o n a t a ble t ( I I xlix Po ss ibl y. .

S pin oz a m ay h a ve been t h i nki n g o f th e imm a ne n t nece ss i ty

in th e s equence of o ur ide as or j udgmen t s And in th e .

c a s e of imma nen t c a u sa li ty th e u su al di st inc ti o n bet w een

a c t i vi ty a nd p as s ivi ty di s a ppe a rs S e e w h a t h e a c t u a lly sa ys
.

o n p 3 0 line s 8 — 1 4
.
,
It is o f c ou r s e qui t e e asy t o s upp os e
.
, ,

t h a t S pin o za s th e or y of kn ow ledge w en t t h r o ug h a c om
’

p l e t e c h a nge — t h a t h e beg a n by c onceiving k n o w ledge t o

be me r ely p a ssive a nd ended by r ega r ding it a s eminen tly

,

a c t ive .B u t t h e e a s ie r in t e rp r e ta ti o n is n o t a l wa y s t h e m or e
a ccu ra t e o n e W h at S pin o a r e ally in tended t o o pp os e w a s
. z ,

I th ink th e C arte si a n c o n c ep ti o n of j udgme nt a s a n a r bi

,

t ra r y a c t o f v o li t i o n ( M e d O n p 1 0 9 li n e s 6 fl ” S pin oz a
. .
,

s eem s t o be de a ling e xp r e ss ly w i th t h i s vie w of De s c a r t e s .

( F or a di s cu s s i o n of t h i s p ro blem s ee Tr endelenbu rg ,

F r e u d e nt h a l s S p in ozastndien a n d G eb h a r d t )
’
.
,

104 1 f Th e s e n t e n ce in br a cke t s p r e s en t s s o me di fficul ty

, . .

Th e Du t c h is ( a l s door meinige of min der t oe voegi nge in

“

[ B toevoegingen
’
van dien ] t zel c e g e waa r Th e
w or d “
toevoe ginge s eems h ar dly
pp rop r i a t e in a ny c a s e
”
a .

S ig wart t ra n s l a t e s it Aff e c t ion e n S c h aa r s c h mid t

“
An ,

r egu n gen Th i s is qui t e pl a u s ible in as muc h a s t oe voe

” “
.
,

gen is u s ed f or a dd r e ss i ng s ome o ne a nd it may ,

”

a cc o r dingly be r ende r ed by s t imuli Th i s t ran s l at i on

“ ”
.
,

h ow eve r m a ke s the w or d in in A wr ong wh ile th e s en t ence

, ,

in bra cke ts is a mer e r epet i t i on of wh at p r ecedes Bu t as .

 CO M M E N TA R Y 2 23

to e vo e g e n eem s q ui te p os
l ite ra l l y mea n s “
to a dd, it s

s ible t h a t m a y h a ve been a r at h e r clu m sy

”
t o e v oe g in g e “

t ra n sl at i o n o f a ttri bu ta or a c cidentia in t h e w ide r s en s e o f

“
qu alit ie s I f so th e p assage c a n be r e n de r ed th u s ( a s
.
”
,
“

bec oming awa re of it o nly t h ro ugh a f e w o r t h e le ss im

p ortant of th e a ttribu tes in it [ o r o f its a ttr ibu t e s D .
”

D r W Meye r h a s p a ra p h r a s ed t h i s p as s a ge in th e s a me
. .

w a y t a king toevoeging a s
,
toeeig ening or att r ibu t e , .

XVI C HAPTE R

105 Acc or ding t o F re ud e nt h a l th i s c h ap t e r is mi s pl a ced

. .

Th e s ub s ta nce o f o ne p a rt o f it n a mely p 1 0 9 line 2 1 t o

—
, .
, ,

p 1 1 0 line 8 — sh ould have been given a t th e e nd o f c ha p te r xv

.
,
.
,

a s c onta in ing th e a n sw e r t o th e que s t i o n ra i s ed o n p 1 0 2 line s .

,

20 f B u t th e r e st of th e p re s en t c ha p t e r a n d a l s o c h ap t e r s
.
,

xvii a nd xvm sh ould f oll ow ch ap t er xx F or c h a p ter xix

. .
,
. .

dea l s w i th th e que st i on wh er ei n t h e w ell -bei n g of a perf ec t

ma n c o nsi st s a n d c h a p t e r xvi ( p 1 0 5 li n e 4 ) a ss umes t h a t
”
. .
, ,

th e que st i on h a s a l r e a dy bee n de a l t w i th P er c ontra c h a p ter .

,

xix s eems to a ssume a n immedi ately p r ecedi n g di s cu ssi on

.

o n t h e a dva n t a ge s o f tr ue belie f a n d s uc h a di s cu ss i o n is
“ ”
,

f ound in c h a p t e r xv As c h ap t e rs xix a n d xx o bvi o u s ly g o

. . .

t oge the r t h ey s h ould b oth f o ll o w c h a p t e r xv

,
a nd be .

fo ll ow ed by c h a p t e rs xvi xviii S o r e a rra nged th e c on .

- .
,

n e c t io n of ide a s w o uld be a s f o ll ow s t h e di s cu ss i o n of
tr u th a n d f a l s i ty ( or b r iefly of kn ow ledge ) s e r ve s as a n , ,

in tr oduc ti o n to ch ap t ers xix a n d xx wh e r e it is sh ow n t h at . .

,

kn owledge is th e c au s e of th e p a ss i on s b ut th at th es e may ,

be m ast e red by a kn ow ledge of God T h i s ra i se s th e que s .

t i o n di s cu ss ed in c h a p t e rs xvi a nd xvii n a mely w h e th e r s uc h . .

, ,

a s el f - em ancip at i on fr om th e p assi on s is t h e e ff ect of vol u n

t a r y e ff or t o t h e n ece ss ar y r e su l t o f ine v i ta ble c a u s e s
,
r And .

c ha p t e r xviii ( wh i c h a cc or ding to Fr eude nt h al o r igi n a lly

.
, ,

c oncluded the wh ole Tre atise ) rou nd s off t h e wh ole di scu ss i on

224 GO D , M AN, A ND H I S W E L L-B E IN G
w thi an siderati o n of th e m ora l v a lue of t h e h igh e st
co

k n ow ledge .

105 1 0 De sir e : see p 7 3 line s 4 fl I n E thics I I I ix ‘

. . . .
,
.
, ,

S chol De si r e is d efi ned a s a ppetitus cu m ejusdem c on “

,
.

s c ientia , and pp a etitu s as ipsa hominis

j essentia , ex c u u s

i i erva tioni inser oiu nt i

na tu ra ea , qu ee p s u s c ons n e c es sa r o ,

sequ u ntu r
”
in sh o rt ( I I I Aff D e f De si r e d e not e s a l l
.
“
. .

th e ivi n gs impul s e s a ppe t i tes an d vo li ti on s of man

str , , , .

1 07 3 fl Cf E thic s I I xl viii a nd xlix

, . .
, . . .

1 08 1 ,
Ide a th at is a g e n e ra l idea or a bstra c ti o n
.
—
,

der i ve d f rom p a rt icul ar a cts of voli ti o n .

1 08 7 , Th i s
.
“
t h a t it is unnece ssar y t o a s k w h e th e r
t h e w ill is fr ee T h e o pening of t h i s p ar ag ra p h in A is
.

s o me w h a t o b s cu r e B is muc h clea r e r ( see line s 3 2

.

108 1 6 If Th i s w a s a c o mm o n d o c t r ine a m o ng medieva l

,
.

p h il osop h e rs it is f o und in t he w ri t ings of Th o ma s Aquin a s ,

P e t e r Lo mb ar d a n d ot h e r s S c a liger e g s ay s
,
Conser vatio .
,
. .
, :

est qu wda m vel u ti p erp etu a ge nera tio ( E x e r c 3 1 qu o t ed by .

F r eude n tha l in S p u d Th e s a me th oug h t is a l so

. . .

f o u n d in C r e s c a s Cf De s c ar t e s M ed I I I
. .
,
. .

109 6 fl S pi n o z a is p r o b a bly r e f e rr ing h e r e t o t h e

,
.

C ar te s i a n vie w t h a t t o h a ve a n ide a is on e t h ing t o m a ke ,

a n a ffi r m at i o n o r deni a l a b o u t it is a n o t h e r a n d depend s o n

o u r f r ee w il l S pin o z a iden t ifie s v oli t i o n w i t h a ffi r m at i o n

.

a n d de n i a l b u t denie s t h a t it is fr ee
, Th e ide as nece s s i ta te .

c e rt a in a ffi r m at i o n s o r deni a l s Th inking is t h u s iden t ified .

w i th j udgi n g Cf E thic s I I xlix S c h o l

. .
, . . .

109 1 6,
Feel = ?sentimus a pp r eh end
.
,
.

109 2 1 fl S ee n o t e t o p 1 0 2 li n e 2 0 ( p
,
. .
, .

C HAPTE R XVI I
1 1 2, 8 fi . S pi n oza s re fe rence
’
t o th e A ri stotelia n d is tinc
t i on be t w ee n B éknm g o (vol unta s ), a nd Em flvma
'
( vol u pta s )
2 26 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E IN G
Cf B r o w ni n g La st Ride Together ; en ny
’
11 7 , 12 fl . . s or T
so n s Wa ges
’

Gl y f V i tue
or o r , t o fig h t , t o s t r gg l u e , ig ht t h e w
to r ro n
g
Na y, b ut sh e a i med n ot at g l o y
r n o
,
l ove o f r g l or y
sh e

G ive he r t he g l o r y of g oi ng on, a nd s t il l to b e .

S he de i e s r s no i le
s s of t he bl e st, no quiet se a t s of t he

ju t s ,

To e t r s in a g ol d n e g rov e , or t o ba k s in a s umme r

s ky

G ive he r e
t he wag s of g o ng on, and not t o i di e .

C HAPTER XIX
1 18 Acc or ding t o F re ud e nth al th i s c h a p te r a nd th e
.
,

next sh o uld h av e bee n pl a ced immedi at ely afte r ch a p t e r xv

, .

S ee th e fi r s t n ot e t o c h a p t e r xvi ( p . .

118 2 6 f Allu s i o n t o R oma ns iii 2 0 fi :

,
. By the works . .

of the l a w sha l l no ma n b e j u stifie d in His sight : for throu gh

the l a w c ometh the knowl edg e of sin But now ap art from the .

l a w a rig hteousness of God ha th been ma nifested even the

righteou s ness of God throu g h fa ith in j esus Christ u nto a l l

them tha t b el ieve b eing ju stified freel y by His gra c e

through the r ede mption that is in Christ j esus . S e e I ntro
duc tion, p cxxvi . .

118 3 0 f ,
Kno w an d e nj o y
. Pr o b a bly a r emini s cence .

o f B iblic a l l a ngu a ge a s in P sa l m xxxiv 8 : 0 taste and see '

.
,
”
that the Lord is g ood .

1 19, 1 8 fl It w a s . cc oun t of De scartes ini tia l s c e p

on a
’

t ic is m th at S pin oz a f el t it nece ssar y t o p rove t h e exi st ence of

mat e ri al b o dies A b o dy E x t en s i on o r M a tte r
.
“
, .

1 19 2 7 fi Th i s p ar a g r ap h a ppe a rs at fi r st s ig h t t o be
,
.
, ,

dir ected aga in st O cc a si o n ali sm— th e vie w n a mely t hat our , ,

pe r cep t i o n of a b ody is p roduced in our mind by th e di rec t

 CO M M E N TA R Y 227

a c ti o n of Go d o n th e oc c a s i o n o f the p re s en c e of s uc h a
“

b ody B ut th e r e is n o o th e r evide n ce o f S pi noza s a c q u a in t

.
’

a nce w i th O cc as i o n a li s m I t m a y be t h a t S pin oza w a s o n ly

.

t h i n ki n g o f t h e o m n ip o ten t dem o n
“
wh o a s De s c a r te s ,

s ugge s t ed ( M ed migh t be deluding u s w i th fa n cie s o f

.

a pp a r e n t ly m a t e r ia l b odies Th e c o n tex t de ali n g as it .

,

d o e s w i th De s c ar te s s cep t ici s m seem s to me to c onfi rm

’

th i s
.

119 3 4 Th e r e f e r e n ce t o t h e fi r s t c h ap te r s eem s t o be in
,
.
“

a ccu r t e aT h e p a s sage to w h ic h r e f e r ence is m a de is s upp os ed

.

t o sh ow t h a t th e r e is n o th ing o u ts ide G od ( a n d t h a t th er ef o r e , ,

n o s uc h dem o n c a n exi s t ) Th i s is d o n e n ot in th e fi r st
.
,

c hapter b u t in th e fi r s t D ia l o u e ( a l so in c h a p t e r ii B o o k
, g .

120 1 f , In vari o u s p arts of the S hort Treatise b ut e spe

.
,

c ia l l y in t h i s c h a p t e r a n d t h e nex t S pin oz a de a l s w i th t h e ,

r el a t i o n b e t w ee n mind a n d b o dy O n ly i ndi r ec t ly h ow .
,

eve r o r incide nt ally— f or h is m a in inqui ry is eth ic a l not

, ,

p syc h o l ogic al in c ha rac te r It is r eg re tta ble th at h e did

, .

n o t di s cu s s th e p r o blem f o r it s o w n s a ke bec a u s e in th a t ,

c as e h e w ould h ave exp r e ss ed his view s m or e clearly a nd

c o n s i s ten tly th a n h e h a s d one in th e s e i n cide nta l di s cussi on s
w h ic h o r igin at ed o n di ff e r en t o cc a s i o n s a n d h a d di ff e r en t ,

a im s . A s it is w e s eem t o h ave h er e s eve ra l di ff e r e nt vie w s

,

o n t h e r el a t i o n be tw een mi n d a n d b o dy A n d a s w e h ave .

n o i n dependen t k n ow ledge o f t h e c h r o n o l ogic a l o r de rs or ,

o f th e ge o l ogic a l f or m a t i o n ( so t o s a y) o f t h e p a r ts o f t h e

Treatise it is imp oss ible t o s pe a k w i th a b s olu t e c o n fidence

,

o f t h e a c t u a l or de r o r s eque n ce a m ong t h e s e vie ws It .

s eem s r e a s o n a ble h ow ev er t o s upp o s e th a t t h ei r l ogic a l

, ,

o r de r is a l s o m or e o r le ss r ep r e s en ta t i v e o f t h ei r c h r o n o

l ogic a l s eque n ce H is fin a l V ie w w e t a ke it was w hat h a s

.
, ,

s i n ce bec ome f a mili a r a s t h a t o f p s y c h o - p hys ical p a ra lleli sm .

Th i s vie w is t h e o n e a d op ted in t h e E thic s t h oug h w i th ,

o cc a s i o n a l l a p s e s Th e oth e r vie ws m ay be r eg a r ded as

.

lea ding up t o th i s on e .
2 28 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E I N G
No w , in t h e fi rst pl a c e do b o dy a nd mi n d in te ra c t I n ,

so me p a s s a ge s t h e v ie w e xp r e s s ed o r implied is t h a t t h ey d o .

B o dy a c t s o n mi n d ( p 103 li n e s 2 6 fi ; 112 2 6 .11 9 7 fl , .

, ,
.

122 2 6 fi
,
129 1 5 f
.
,
a n d mi n d a c ts o n b o dy o r a t
.
, , ,

a l l eve n t s t h e s o ul c a n m o v e it s o w n b o dy 129 6 d
, ( a n ,

t h r o ug h it a l s o o th e r b o die s ( 13 0 1 2 fl ) In oth e r p assa ge s , .

,

h o w e v e t h i s vie w a pp a r e ntly o f di r ec t i n t e ra c t i o n is c o n
r, , ,

s id e rab l y m o dified if n ot denied ,

T h e mind w e ar e t old .
, ,

c a n n ot aff ec t eve n its Ow n b ody exc ep t t h r ough th e media ,

t i on o f t h e vi ta l spi r i ts w h os e m o veme nts it c an n ot in i ”

,

f i a t e o r t e r mi n a t e b u t o n ly c o n tro l or di r ec t ( 1 21 2 fi 2 8 fl
, ,
.
,
.

127 1 0 fl ) ; n or c a n b o dy a c t di r ec t ly o n mind w i th o u t
‘

t h e i n t e r ve n t i o n o f v ita l s pi r i t s ( 1 22 4 fl)
“
And t h i s ,
.
,

o f c o u rs e is t h e C a r t e s i a n v ie w ( see n o t e t o 9 5 2 2 — p
, ,
.

S pi n o a h o w e ve r w a s n ot s a t i s fied w i th t h i s s o lu t i o n
z , , .

A fte r al l th e v i ta l s pi i ts w er e p hy sic a l a nd on e migh t

,
“
r ,

j u st a s w ell s upp os e t h a t mi n d c a n i n t e ra c t w i th b o dy a s w i th
t h em We fin d a c c o r di n gly a n e w s o lu t i o n o f t h e p r oble m
.
, ,
.

Mi n d a nd b o dy c a n a ff e c t e a ch oth e r bec au s e th ey a re me r e ,

m o de s of on e a n d t h e sa me w h ole o r s ub sta nce ( 127 34 fl , , .

1 21 9 ,
T h i s a n sw e r ma y h a ve s ugge st ed y e t a n o th e r
p oi nt o f vie w f ro m w h ic h th e p ro blem i ts el f di sa ppea r ed .

S o f ar t h e real ity o f i n t era c t i o n of s o me s o r t w a s a s sumed ,

t h e p r o ble m bei n g t o exp l ain it And S pin oz a tr ied t o d o .

s o fi rs t by i n v o king s pi r i ts a nd t h en by h is c o n cep t i o n
“
, ,

w h o le in w h ic h mind a n d b o dy w e r e m os t i n t im a t ely
”
of a ,

uni ted Th e ul tim a te w h ole acc or ding to S pin o a is

.
,
z ,

S ub s ta nce o f w h ic h E xt en s i o n a n d Th o ugh t a r e c o-a ttr i

,

bute s Th es e sta nd in n o c a u sa l rel a t i on sh ip t o e ac h oth er ;

.

th ey a r e s o to say c oll at e r a l exp r e ss i o n s of t h e sa me r e a li ty ;

, ,

t h e o n e d o e s n o t ca use t h e oth e r b u t s imply is t h e o th e r ,

— t h a t is a n o th e r o r p a ra llel a s pec t o f t h e s a me r e a li ty
, .

S imil a rly mi n d a nd b ody a re r e a lly o n e w h o le me r ely a

, ,

d ouble-fa ced m ode of s ub sta nce mind d oe s n ot afiect

b ody nor b o dy mind t h e on e s imply is th e oth e r— th at is
, ,
230 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL-B E IN G
127 , 34 fl i s l o n.g n o Th
t e a s S ig w ar t h as s h o w n c o n ta in s
, ,

v ar i o us s uggest i on s w h i c h S pin oz a s ub s equent ly el a b orat ed

in th e E thic s ( I I xi . .

128 6—9 , We h ave a l so sa id

. Not in t h i s Trea tise
a s w e n o w h a ve it Th e p ar t r e f e rr ed t o mu s t h a ve bee n
.

l o st.

128 1 2 1 7
,
—
Pa ge Th e numbe r s of t h e p a ge s
.
“

r e fe rr ed t o a r e n o t give n in t h e M S Nor is it e a sy .

t o fin d s ui ta ble p a s sage s f or m os t o f th em Th e th i r d .

p rop osi ti on is n ot p roved in th i s Treatis e a t a l l Th e .

r e f e r e n ce s a r e p r o b a bly ei t h e r t o l ost p a r ts or to p a rts ,

wh ich S pin oz a in te n ded t o w r i t e b u t did n ot , .

H a s a n ide a th a t is a n a dequa te ide a a s

“
128 2 5 f, .
—
, ,

expl ained immedi ately a ft er wa rd s .

129 9 f ,
Pa ul
. a nd
“
P et e r s h o uld p ro b a bly c h a n ge

pl a ce s .

129 2 0 fl Th i s s en t ence s eem s i rr elev a n t

, . Pe r h a p s t h e .

di ff e r ence in ou r ide a s of t h e same o bj ect w as in tended

a s a p r oo f o f t h ei r impe r f ec t i o n o f w h ic h t h e p r ecedi n g ,

s en t en ce s pe a ks .

1 29 3 3 Th e w o r d s idea reflexiva s eem t o be qui te i rr e

, .

leva n t h e r e a nd th e ve rs i on wh ic h t h ey sugge sted t o

,

M on n ik h o ff is w ro ng S igw ar t h as s ugg e s t ed t h a t t h e er r o r
.

may be due t o t h e fa c t th a t on p 1 6 2 line s 1 3 f S pin o za .

,
.
,

p ass e s a t o nce fr om t h e expl a n at i on of f eeli n g to th e idea

r eflexiva ( s el f-c on s ci o u s n e s s ) a n d t h i s t ra n s i t i o n m a y h a ve
,

been mi s u n de rs too d by th e C opyi st or by a r e a de r ,

.

13 0 3 ,
S oul
.
“
t h e s o ul of N a t u r e t h e i n fi n i te
Idea S ee p 1 34
. . .

C HAPTE R XX I
13 1 Acc or ding t p Fre u d e nth al t h is a nd t he foll ow i ng
.
,

five c h ap t er s a re l a t e r a ddi t i o n s t o th e S hort Treatise w h ic h ,

o r igin a lly c o n cluded w i t h w h a t is n o w c h a p t e r xviii S ee .

t h e first n o te t o c h a p te r xvi ( p Th e a ddi ti o n o f t h e s e

. .
 CO MM E N TA R Y 23 1

l a s t s ix c h a p te rs Fr euden th a l t h inks w as n ece ss i ta ted by

, ,

S pin oz a s ( l a t e r ) di s tinc t i on be tw ee n R e as on a n d U nde r

’

s ta n ding ( or In tui t i on w h ic h is t h e h igh est ki n d o f

,

kn owledge ) .

Th e vie w s f o und in t h e p r e s en t c h a p t e r ar e devel o ped

muc h m or e f ully in E thic s IV ix —xvu , . . .

13 1 4 fi I n E thic s IV xvii S c h ol S pi n oza qu ot e s O vid s

’
. .
, .
, .
,

w ell - kn o wn u tt era nce (M eta m vii . .

Video mel iora p roboque , deteriora sequor,

a nd ta ke s i 1 8 ( He that inc reaseth knowl edge

E cc l esia stes , .
“

increaseth sorrow t o r e f er t o s uc h c a s e s .

13 1 3 1 Wh a t d o e s
, . f or & c r e f e r to
“
Po ss ibly t o t h e
, .
,

nex t s e nt e nce in t h e te xt ( p 1 3 2 li ne s 2 fl) S o at a l l .
,
.
,

even ts M onnikh off s eem s t o h a ve unde rs to o d it f or in s tea d

, ,

S ee p a ge s S ee a b ove B u t t h e p as sage s
“ ”
of B h as “
.

r e f e rr ed t o by A a re n o t i rr elev a n t t o t h e n ot e a s a w h ole ,

a n d w e r e m o s t p r o b a bly n ot me a n t t o r e f e r o n ly t o t h e

l as t se nt ence of th e n ote .

XXI I C HAPTE R

13 3 Th e
. f ou rt h kind o f kn o w ledge — see pp 6 7 6 9 a n d .
—
,

t h e n o t e s o n t h em S ig w a r t ci t e s s eve ra l p as sa ge s f r o m
.

H e e re b o or d s Logic w h ic h a ppe ar a t fi r st t o exp r e ss a vie w

’

very like S pin oz a s o n kn o wledge a s a b ond of uni on be tw een

’

man a n d Go d Th e r e is h ow eve r a f und a men t a l di ff e

.
, ,

r ence be t w een t h e t w o vie w s Th e k n o wledge t o w h ic h .

H e e re b oor d r e f e r s is di s cu rs ive kn o w ledge o r w h a t S pin o z a ,

c a ll s Re a son wh ile S pi n oz a r e f e rs to in tui t ive k n ow

,
”

ledge w h ic h is a lm ost my s tic a l in c h ara cte r Th e v iew

, .

o f H e e re b o o r d it may be r em a r k ed is a l r e a dy f o u n d in
, ,

M a im onide s a nd oth e r medie va l Ar i s t oteli an s .

13 4 7 I
, Th at sa me t h ing
.
“
N a tu r e ( li n e 6 ) or God
(see line o r p o s s ibly t h e th i n k i n g t h ing th e “
2 32 G O D , M AN, A ND H IS W E LL-B E I N G
attr ibu te Th ought (see lines 1 5 f a nd p 6 4 lines 20 Th e . .
,

me a ning is ul t im ately th e sa me in a ny cas e It may b e .

t h at t h e s en t ence is impe rf ec t a nd (as s ugge st ed by D r W , . .

Meyer ) th e fo ll ow ing w ords sh ould be in se rt ed aft er in “

( line 7) th e th inking t h ing w h ic h ide a is ,

1 3 4 1 8 Th e exp r e s s i o n
, . c a u se is n ot qui t e a ccu rat e
“

h er e . W h at is mea n t (a s th e c on t ext sh o ws ) is th at c orre ,

s p o nd ing t o t h at m ode in t h e A ttr ibu t e E xt en s i o n c a lled o u r

bo dy t h e r e is a m ode in t h e A t tr ibu t e Th ough t c alled our

,

so u l b ut it is n ot t h e b o dy th a t p roduces th e soul (th e

Attribu t e Th ought d oe s t h at ) it is o nly in a ce rta in s en se ,

th e “
occ as i o n o f it s exi s t ence
”
N ot e T1 wa s ob vi ou s ly .
“

in tended t o c orrec t th e f al s e s uggesti on of t h e wor d c au se .

Po s s ibly th e n ote w as ma de n ot by S pin oz a b u t by s o me , ,

r e a de r .

C HAPTE R XXI I I
13 6 . p 6 5 line
Cf . .
,
s 3 1 fi ; a l s
. o Exxiii
thic s V ,
. xxi — .
,

xxxiii f xxxviii f ( In t h e Cogitata M etaphysica I I xii

. .
, . .
, . .
,

t h e s oul is s a id t o be imm o rta l bec a u s e it is a s ub sta nce ,

a nd a s ub sta nce c a nn ot de s tr oy i ts el f nor be de s troyed ,

b y a ny o th e r c r e at ed s ub st a nce B ut t h i s r e as o ning .

w as o bvi o u sly n ot in t ended t o r ep r e s en t S pin oz a s o wn

’

vie ws ) .

j o el h a s r ig h t ly d r aw n a t ten t i o n to a ce r ta in s imil ar i ty

in th e v ie ws o f S pin oz a a nd M a imo nides o n Immorta li ty .

Acc ording t o b oth M a im onide s a nd S pin oz a Imm orta lity ,

( in t h e h ig h e r s en s e ) i s n o t so me t h ing w h ic h is t h e c o m
m o n r igh t of a l l independen t ly of t h e live s th ey a c t ua lly
,

live b u t rath er a gi ft th at h as t o be a cqui red by lea ding a

,

li f e not o nly of m ora l up r ight ness b u t a l so of s trenu ou s ,

effort afte r th e h igh e s t ki n d of kn ow ledge Ve ry s imil ar t o .

t h ei r vie w o n Imm or ta li t y is al s o t h ei r vie w on Pr oviden c e .

( S e e t h e n o t e t o 1 4 0 2 1 ,
234 GO D , MAN AN D
, H IS W E LL-B E I N G

C HAPTE R XXV
143 . Cf Tra ctatu s Theol ogic o-P ol iticu s,
. ii .

As l e dy s tated in th e I ntroduction th i s cha p te r on Devil s

a r a ,

pl ayed an imp orta n t rol e in th e rec ove ry o f th e S hort Treatise

‘

Kindne ss sh ow n e ven t o th e devil is not was ted Devil s .

a n d s pi r i t s o f a l l s ort s a nd c o ndi t i o n s w e r e ve ry r ea l t h ing s

in th os e d ays S pin oza s quie t h um o u r is m uc h in a dvan ce

’

o f his t ime I n a n e arlie r d ra ft of th e Treatise th i s ch a p t e r

.

may h av e h ad a di ff e r en t pl ace f or it is r e ferr ed t o a s ,

ch a p te r xxi by Ha l l ma nn
. .

143 1 5 fl I n E thic s 11 xxx S pin oza sa y s on th e c on trary

, .
, . .
, , ,

th a t “
th e du rat i o n o f o u r b ody d o e s n ot depend up o n its
e ssence b ut up on th e c o mm o n order of n a tu r e
a n d th e c o n s t i t u t i o n of t h ing s .

XXVI
C HAPTE R

144 8 B omi ts th e w or d s th r ough r e aso n p ro ba bly

“
.
,

beca u se th e c opyi st ( M onnikh off ) n oticed th at it h a d not

been sh ow n h o w ou r ble ssedness is a tta ined th rough
“ ” “

r e a so n S ee n ot e t o 128 1 2— 1 7 ( p
”
.
.
,

144 1 8 fl Cf E thics V xlii : B le ss edne ss is not vi rtue s

'
, .
. .
, .

r e war d b u t v i rt ue i t s el f
,
Th e m or e a mind deligh ts in
t h e l ove of G o d t h e m or e d o e s it unde rs ta nd t h a t is , ,

t h e g r e a t e r p ow e r h as it ove r its f eeling s a nd th e le ss d oe s ,

it s u ff er fro m evil p as s i on s
”
.

144 2 2 (7 Cf E thics V xli :

,
. . E ven if we did n ot kn ow
, . .

th a t o u r mind is e t e r n a l w e sh ould s t ill h o ld P ie t y a nd

R eligi o n t o be of fi rs t i m p orta nce Th e c r eed o f t h e .

mul ti tude appears t o be di ff e ren t F or m ost pe ople s eem to .

believe t h at th ey a re f ree o nly in s o f ar a s th ey are pe rmi tted

t o i n dulge in lu s tful n e ss P ie ty a n d R eligi o n
. t h ey
l

believe t o be b u rd e ns It is o nly t h e h o pe of r e w ar d
.

a nd th e f ear of p uni s h men t a f t e r de a th t h a t induce t h em t o

 C O M M E N TA RY 235

s ubmi t t o th e di vine l aw If th ey belie ved th a t mi nd s pe r i sh

'

w i th th e b o dy t h ey w o uld f o ll o w t h ei r o w n sw ee t w ill a n d ,

o bey c h a n ce de s i r e s r a th e r th a n t h em s el v e s th i s “
But .

s eem s t o be n o le ss a b s u r d t h a n t h e c o ndu c t o f a ma n w h o
,

beca u se h e d o e s n ot believe t h at h e c a n f eed h is b ody w i th

goo d f oo d t o a l l e ter n ity decides t o st u ff h im s el f w i th ,

p oi so nou s a nd de adly d rug s ; or beca u s e h e s ee s t h at t h e

mi n d is not e te rna l o r imm ortal t h e re for e p r e fe rs t o be mad ,

a n d li v e w i t h o u t r e a s o n
”
.

145 8 fl Th e p a r a ble o f t h e fis h ( a s j o el h a s p o in t ed o u t )
, .

w a s p r o b a bly s ugge s ted t o S pin o z a by t h e f oll o w i n g T l a

mu d ic a l legend ( B a byl o ni a n Ta lmud B era c hot 6 1 b qu o ted , ,

—

by j oel ) I n th e r eign o f H adr i a n th e Rom a ns p roh ibi ted

.

t h e j e w s t o st udy th e La w Ra bbi Akib a h o w eve r pe rs i s ted .

, ,

in s tudying a n d t e a c h ing it And w h en a ce rta i n Pa p p os .

w a r n ed h im o f t h e d a nge r t h a t t h r e a te n ed h im h e r eplied ,

w i th t h e f o ll ow i n g p a r a ble : A f ox o n t h e b a nk s o f a ive r r

s a w m a n y fi s h e s h u r yi ng a w a y f r o m a ce rta in s p o t
r A ski ng .

t h em w h y t h ey fled h e w a s t o ld th a t t h ey w e r e a f ra id o f t h e
,

nets w h ich h a d ju st bee n s p r ea d f or t h em C o me th e n .

, ,
”

s ugge s t ed th e f o x c ome ou t a nd l e t u s live t oge th e r o n l a nd

“
, , ,

ev e n as ou r f ore fa th er s did W h at ! excl a i m ed th e .

”

fi sh e s if e ven in ou r o wn eleme n t w e c an o nly li ve in f e ar

,

a nd d re a d w h at s h a ll w e d o o n l a n d w h i c h t o u s s pell s
, ,

de ath E ven s o s a id R a bbi Akiba is it w i th t h e j e w s

, , .

Th e La w is o u r eleme n t f or it is w r i t ten I t is thy l ife , ,

“

a nd the l en gth of thy da ys I f d a ng e r lu rk s in t h e s t udy .

o f th e La w a y e t g r e at er d a n ge r lu r ks in t h e n eglec t
,

th e re of .

145 2 8 f Cf Hosea xi 4 :
, . . I dre w the m , with ba nds.
“

”
o f l ove .

I n t h e E thic s , V xxxvi S c h ol S pin oz a say s th at h uma n

. . .
,

S a l va t i o n o r B le ss edne ss o r F r eed o m c o n s i s ts in a c o n st a n t
, ,

a n d e t e r n a l l ov e t o w a r d s G o d

146 1 1 f Cf E thic s V xl
, . . Th e m or e pe rf ec t a th i n g is
,
:
236 GO D , M AN, AND H I S W E LL-B E IN G
the mor e r e ali ty it p os se ss es a nd c on seque n tly ac ts m or e ,

a n d s u ff e rs le s s .

146 1 6 fl Cf E thic s 1 xxviii a n d I I I iv

,
. .
,
. . . .

1 46 2 7 fl Cf p 3 8 li n e s 1 2 f
,
. . .
,
.

1 47 1 5 Cf p 3 6 line s 2 1 fl
, . . .
,
.

1 47 5 f ,
W h ole h ow e ver is o nly a n ens ra tionis a nd
.
“
,
”
, ,

d o e s not a de q u at ely exp r e ss t h e a ctu a l r el ati on sh ip of God

t o fini t e bei n g s .

147 9 fl Cf E thics V xxxviii xl

, . . H e r e it is m a in tai n ed
,
. . .

t h a t t h e g r e at e r o u r uni o n w i th G od is t h e gr e a te r is o ur ,

a ct ivi t y ; in t h e E thic s w e s e e t h e c o n v e r s e o f t h i s n a mely , ,

th e m or e a c t ive w e a r e ( o r th e m or e w e unde rs ta nd ) th e
m or e a re we uni t ed w i th Go d .

1 47 1 6 5 Cf E thic s V xx ix xx xi
,
. .
,
.
— .

1 47 3 1 fl Cf E thic s IV xxxu xxx n

,
. .
, . .
— v .

148 3 f Th e Du t c h is n ot ve r y c le a r hoe t my of niet

’
.
, ,

’
zi i w of g esl aa ge n dit s kl a ar
j k
,
b en g ehou en , .

148 , 3 5 fl T h i s n ot e is a pp ar en tly j u s t a ma r gin a l m

.

. su

m a ry .

1 4 9, 12 5 . Cf . Le tt e r XV .
, and t h e I ntroduction, p p . cxxiv fl . .

A PPE ND I C E S

A PPE N DIX I
15 3 . i s gives a ge o metric ve rsi on of th e fi rst h al f of
Th
ch a p te r ii Pa rt I It is r em arka ble th at n o Defini t i on s are
. .

given a l th ough th ey a re r e a lly e ss en ti a l f e at u r e s of t h e

,

ge o me tric me th od S pin oza h ow ever m a de g ood th e .

, ,

o mi ss i o n n ot o nly in t h e E thic s b u t a l r e a dy in a b r ie f e ss a y ,

( ve r y s imil a r t o t h i s Appe n dix ) w h ic h h e s e n t t o O lde n bu rg ,

w h os e fi r s t le tt e r t o S pin oz a a n d th e l a tte r s r eply t h e r e to

’

h a ve a l re a dy been r e fe r r ed to in th e I ntrodu ction ( pp l x i v f . . .

,

cx xiii ) In th e c ou r se of h is r eply S pin oz a rem arks t h a t

.
238 G O D , MAN, AND H IS W E LL-BE I N G

III . PR O PO S ITI O NE S

1 . In reru m natura non p ossunt existere dua su bsta ntia

e u sde
j m attributi .

2 . S u bstantia non potest product [ nequ e a b a l ia qu a c u mque

s u bsta ntia ] ,
s ed de ipsiu s esse ntia e st existere .

3 . Omnis su b stantia de bet esse infinita sive su m me perfec ta in

su o .

ge ne re .

Th e re was al so a S chol iu m like S c h o l 2 in E thics I viii .

, . .
,

b u t it is di fficul t t o r e s t or e th e t ext of it .

Th e fi rs t Appendix w a s p r ob a bly a fi rst dr aft o f t h e a b ov e

e ssa y in wh ich Definit i on s w e r e a dded wh ile th e re st ,

wa s a b r idged .

1 5 3 6 f I n t h e C ogita ta M etaphysica ( 11 v ) S pin oza

, . . .

enume rat e s t hr ee kind s of dist incti o ns Rerum distinctio .

”

tripl ex Rea l is M odal is Ra tionis

, ,
Th e expl a n a t i on s Wh IC h , .

h e a dds a r e t h e s a me a s th os e given by De s c art e s S ee n ot e .

t o 102 1 5 ( pp 2 20
, .

1 5 3 1 9 f Axi o m 7 l o ok s s u s pici o u s
, . I t is r e a lly o n ly a .

r epe t i t i o n o f Axi o m 1 Po ss ibly it w as o nly a r e a de r s n ot e

’
.

o n Axi om 1 b u t w as inc o r p or a t ed in th e t ext by a n

,

unc rit ic al c opyi st Th e su spici o n is c o nfir med b y th e fa c t

.

t h at n o u s e is m a de of it in wh at f oll ows .

A PPE NDI X 11

15 7 3 Cf p p 6 3 f , 1 2 7 fi ot
fl . O b.s e r ve the omi ssi on
. . . n e .

ee
h r o f th e a r gumen
t th at m a n is no t a s ub s ta nce .

1 5 7 1 4 fl Cf pp 5 7 1 2 8 f 1 3 4 a nd E thic s I I i -iv
, . . .
, .
, , , . . .

O n p 2 4 ( line s 3 1 fl ) it w as m a in ta ined th a t w h a t eve r is

. .

in the i nfini te unde rs ta nding of G od mu st a c tu a lly exi st ;

h e r e ( l ine s 1 8 fl ) w e h a ve t h e c o nve rs e a ss e r t i o n n a mely
.
, ,

t h at wh at eve r is r ea l mu st h a ve its ide a in th e a tt r ibu t e

Tho ugh t .
 CO M M E N TA R Y 23 9

Th e ubj ect of p ara g rap h 1 is r e a lly c on tinued o n p 15 9

s .
,

2 8—
p. 1 6 0 5 a n d
,
F r e u d e
,
n t h a l h eld t h a t t h e s e li ne s h ave
g o t mi s pl a ced so me h o w as t h ey w o uld fi t in ,
v e r y w ell if
pl a ced immediat ely aft e r p 1 5 8 2 w h ile th ey a re i rr eleva n t .
, ,

in th ei r a c tu al c on text .

15 7 2 4 fl In E thic s I I vii S c h ol S pin oz a s a y s

, .
,
. Th e . .
, :
“

-c a lled inki g ub nce -c alled e xt ended

[ s o ] t h n s s t a a n d t h e [ s o ]
s ub s ta n ce ar e r e a lly o n e a n d th e s a me s ub s ta n ce w h ic h is ,

c o mp r eh en ded n ow under th is now unde r th a t a ttr ibu t e , .

S imil a r ly a m o de o f e xt e n s i o n a n d t h e ide a o f th a t m o de ar e
,

o n e a n d t h e sa me th i n g o nly exp r e ss ed in t w o w a y s ; a
"

tr u th w h ic h ce rtain Heb r e w s a ppe a r t o h a ve s ee n a s if

thr o ug h a cl oud f o r t h ey st at e n a mely t h at Go d th e, , , ,

i n tellect of Go d a n d th e th ings w h ich a r e a ppreh ended by

,

t h a t i n t ellec t a re o n e a n d t h e sa me th i n g
"
.

15 8 4 fl Cf pp 6 9 ( li n e s 2 6
, . . 121 fi . .

1 5 8 7 fl Cf p 79 ( line s 8 fl ) a n d E thic s I I I vi f
, . . .
, ,
. . .

1 5 8 1 1 fl Cf pp 1 2 7 fi n o t e s
,
. . . . .

1 5 9 6 Rea l iter is n o t qui t e a ccu ra t e h e e ; it is u s ed

,
. r

in a w ide r s e n s e o r from a C arte si a n p o i nt of view a c c or d ,

ing t o w h i c h th i n g s a n d s o ul s a r e s ub s t a nce s w h ic h
“ ” “
,

a r e t h e r e f o r e di ff e r e nt rea l iter .

15 9 9 ,
E ss e n ce
.
-t h a t is o f t h e s o ul
,
.

15 9 1 6 f Th a t is h e d o e s not s ay
, . w h ich exi st s as a
,

material ( or extende d) thing

"
.

1 5 9, 24 egar d s th ei r exi stence Du tc h na ha ar

.
“
As r .
,

were ntl ij kheyt T h e L a t in w a s m o s t p r ob a bly rea l iter

. .

At tribu t e s d o n ot diff e r real iter bec a u se a distinctio rea l is is ,

o nly be tw ee n di ff e r en t su bsta nc es Th e a tt r ibu t e s h ow eve r .

, ,

t h ough di s t inc t a r e n ot di s t inc t s ub sta nce s n or a r e t h ey

, ,

s upp or t ed by di s t inc t s ub st a nce s t h ey a re th ei r o wn

s ubj ec t s o r s ub st r a t e s ( th a t is t o s ay t h ey n eed n o o th e r
“
,

s ubjec t s fo r t h ei r s upp or t ) a n d t o ge th e r t h ey c o n s t i t u t e ,

th e o n e a n d o nly S ub s t a n ce
”
.

1 5 9 2 8 fl S ee n o te t o 1 5 7 1 4 fl ( top o f t h i s p a ge )
,
.
,
. .
2 40 GO D , MAN AN D ,
H IS W E LL -B E I N G
16 0, 20 Which real l y exists in Nature Th e s t re ss l a id
. .

o n t h i s cl a u s e w ill o nly be unde r s t o o d a f t er a c a r e ful r e a ding

o f th e w h ole p a ra g r a p h o mi tting p 1 5 9 2 8 p ,
16 0 5 So : ,
— .
, .

l ong as E xt en s ion a nd th e oth er Attr ibu te s d o n ot ev olve

p ar ticul ar m ode s h a ving du ra t i o n in t ime ( existence ) so l ong ,

a l s o th ere is o nly t h e A ttr ibu t e Th o ug h t a s a n A t t r ibu t e a n d ,

th e r e are n o i n dividu a l I de as or S oul s S o ul s

a re only e vo lved o u t of th e A ttr ibu t e Th o ug h t in s o f a r a s

p art icul ar m odes ( b odies & c ) of th e oth e r Attr ibute s

“
,
.

c o me in t o exis tence .

1 6 0 2 6 f S pin oz a gene ra lly di st ingui sh e s be tw een t h e

,
.

a ttrib ute Th o ugh t a nd it s infini t e m o de or Idea Under ,

standing .B mu st be w ro ng h e r e .

1 6 1 6 5 Cf n ote s 7-1 4 o n pp 6 3 5
,
. . Th e s e n ot e s sh ow
. .

a f u rt h e r devel opmen t of t h e ide as in t h e p r e s en t p ara g r a p h ,

a n d a re m o s t p ro b a bly l a t e r a ddi t i o n s .

1 6 2 1 3 fl Th e c o ncl u ding s en t ence s r e a lly c o n ta in a ve ry

,
.

b r ief s yn op s i s of th e pl a n w h ic h S pin oz a f oll ow ed in t h e

s ec o nd p a rt o f t h e E thic s wh e r e ( as S ig wa r t h as p o in ted ou t )
, ,

p r op osi ti on s xi xix a re devoted to th e c on s ide rati o n of th e

.
— .

idea c orp or is a n d idea afiectionum c orporis xx xxiii t o , .

— .

th e idea idea idea reflexiva ) xxiv — xxxi t o s en s e , . .

expe r ience xxxii xxxvi to a dequ at e a nd in a dequ at e ideas

,
.
— .
,

xxxviii fl t o r e asoned kn owledge & c The c o nclu si on of

. .
, .

t h e S hort Trea tise t h u s di r ec ts ou r att en t i on t o t h e E thic s .

 242 I ND E X
C o s sa c k p e rs e c u t ons xl iii f i
C os t a U r e l d a xxx v , xl f i i ii
,

, ,

C ou r a g e 9 0 f 9 3
i
, ,

C rea t on , xxx v 2 3 , 5 7 1 0 8 , 1 7 3,
iii
, ,

2 24 E v il l , 5 1 5 4 5 9 f 7 4 if , 8 2
, , , ,

C r e sc a s , xxx v , 1 74 1 9 6 f 2 0 8 f E x n ihil o n ihil fit 1 0 8

ii i
, , . ,

C rom w e l l xxv n l xi l xx v f 7 3 2 04
ii
, , , . »

Cq l e hum l t y 8 7 f 2 12 2 7 if
‘

, ,
x xx v 5 2 , 5 7, , ,

C u p id ita s , 1 1 2 , 1 8 5 , 2 2 5 ff 1 2 8 f 1 5 3 if 1 7 3 ff , , , ,

E
D F I N I TI O N, rul es of 5 2 ff 6 5 f 3 d e nom i n a t o n, i
i
, ,

D e l me dig o xxx v
i
,

D e p re ss on fit s of 1 2 2
ii
, ,

D e r s on 9 5 2 1 5 f 02 II , 10 9 f n o t
i i
, , ,

D e sc a rt e s xxx v xl x if l v i f l x v f , 1 00 , 2 1 8 f
i
, , , ,

l xx v , xc , c xx v , 5 5 , 1 6 6 ff 1 77 if , ,
o ff ,
2 13 f
1 8 5 19 5. 197 . 1 9 9 2 0 5 ff 2 1 1 f. . . .
d , 1 16
2 1 5 if 22 ff
i
,

De s re 3 2 if 6 9 7 3 8 5 10 0 , 10 5 ,
, , , , ,

1 10 f 1 32 1 8 5 20 8 2 2 4 f, 2 29
, , , ,

D e sp a ir 9 0 if 1 1 6 2 1 3 f
iii
, , ,

D e u rh o fi W c v c xv f
i
.
, , ,

D e vil s c iv f c xx v 1 1 6 , 1 4 3 f , 2 34
i
, , ,

D vine l a w s 1 3 9 45» 235

i i
,

D v in e re v e l a t on 1 4 1
i i i m
,

D v ne s e r v c e , 1 1 6 f F or a l iter — e min e n ter 1 8 1 70

i i
, ,

D v is on , 2 8 f F or ma l iter — ob j e c tive ff , ,

D re a m 1 0 3 F re e c a u s e 4 1 , 4 6 8 0 1 9 3
iii
, , , ,

D u fi R A c xx v F re e d om , 44 4 6 , 1 44 if 2 3 5 . 2

ii i
. .
, , , ,

D u n s S c ot u s xx v 1 6 9, 19 7 F r e e w l l 1 0 5 ff
i i i i i
, , ,

D u r a t on a s nv ol v n g c ont nu ou s F re u d e n t h al
iii
c xxi i c xx v J
i
, , ,

c re a t on, 1 0 8 2 2 4 ,
c xx v 16 6 f 169, 1 76 182 f , , , ,

1 8 5 f 2 0 3 , 2 2 2 ff 2 2 6 2 2 9 ff 2 39
i
, , , ,

E
E FFI C I NT c a u se , 4 1 , 1 9 1 if F r e d l an d e r , M , 1 6 8
i
.

E l o t Ge org e 2 1 5
ii i
, ,

E lis h a b e n A b u y a h xl v GA IL LE O xxx v
i b
, ,

E l za e t h Q u e e n, x v Ga r de n of F l owe rs , A Ix xx
i b iii
, ,

E ma na t v e c a u se ”
4 1 , 19 1 Ge h a r d t C c xx v 2 04
i i
.
, , , ,

E m ne nt c a u s e , ”
18 1 70 ,
G e n e ra l d e a s 5 0 59 1 0 6 ff , , ,

E min e n ter 1 8 , 1 1 9 1 7 0 G e ne ra l m o d e s 5 6 f 7 8
i i i
, , , ,

E m u l a t on 9 0 f 9 3 2 1 4 G e ne ra t on a n d c re a t o n 2 3
i
, , , ,

E n d e n C l a ra v a n d e n xxx x l i G e om e t ric m e t h od l x v f , l xv m ,
i i
, , , ,

E n d e n F v a n d e n, xxx f xxx x f , Ii, 2 36 f

i i
.
, ,

l x xx v c xx v , G e r s on id e s , xxx u i xxx v ,

E n d g e e st l vi , Gl o ry , 9 6 f , 1 0 0 2 1 7 f ,

E n s r a tion is , 3 8 , 5 9 , 7 5 f , 1 0 6 f , 1 7 8 , , G od , 2 1 ff , 1 1 9 1 5 3 fl 1 7 2 , , ,

2 09 2 3 3 2 36 2 39
” M

, .

E n s r ea l e 5 9 , 76 , 1 7 8 2 09 , , a n d Na t u r e , x xx v, 2 2 25 f, ,

E nvy . 8 3 9 5 1 1 6 1 4 3 . 2 1 1 1 5 5 if 1 76 f
iii
. . . ,

E p isc op iu s xx v , a nd t ru t h 7 8 10 3 , 2 1 0 , ,

E r a s m u s 3 6 if , t h e e xis t e nc e o f 1 5 ff 5 2 f , 1 7 2 , ,

E rr or 1 0 2 f 10 9 f
, , t h e hig h e st g ood 5 4 , 7 6 , 8 o f , ,

E s se nc e , 37 6 5 f , 8 3 10 3 if 1 16 , 8 6 1 00 , 1 1 8 , 1 44 11, 2 1 3
i
, , , ,

t h e mm a n e nc e of 3 0 1 79
b
, ,

a n d a t t ri Go d s l o v e o f m a n, 1 3 8 ff
’
ut e s, 2 6
a n d e xis t e nc e , 15 if , 128, 16 7 f i
G odl n e ss 1 4 3 ,

p e rf ec t ion, 8 3 ;
a nd
'

1 16 , 14 3
E st e e m , 8 7 fi , 2 1 2 '
G o od a nd e v l h u ff , 4 4 f i , , 51 , 5 4,
E t e r na l l ivs , 1 40 5 9 f 7 4 ff 8 2 10 0 , 1 9 8 f
a
i i
, , ,

E t e rn t y ; 1 6 7 G ra c e , c xxv , 1 1 8
 I ND E X 2 43

Gra t it u d e , 9 8 , 100 , 2 1 8 f E ALO U S Y , 90 , 9 2 , 2 14

Gr e e d 9 8 , el l e s, I f , l , l xviii ii , xc vu , c v , c xv ,
G re s h a m C ol l e g e l n f c xxiv
i J ti g 95 6
,

Gr e f 99 2 1 1 2 1 9 es n 21
i i J w i if 7 f
, , , , ,

G rot u s xx vi ff xl i e s, x 2
iii J him H H xx
, , ,

Gu ide of the P erp l e xed , The xxx oac c v ui

i i i J l M iii 96 f
. .
, , ,

xc x , & c S ee M a mon d e s . oe , .
, c xxv , 1 , 20 5 , 208 ,

H ALL M A NN c iv c x v n 1 6 5 2 34 J R l
on e s , xi i
i
.
, , , , ,

H a p p nes s 1 1 8 if 1 3 3 2 1 9 f 2 34 J y 85 f 9 f
o 0 211
b J d h t h F ith f l i
, , , , , , ,

H a t c h e t p a ra l e of t h e 1 1 7 u a e a u xx
J d 6
, , ,

H a t re d 3 3 7 2 8 2 ff 1 00 1 2 1 fi u as, 0
J dg m t 9 4
, , , , , ,

14 3, 2 0 8 , 2 I o, 2 1 5 u en 10 22
J ti 4 5
, ,

H ea rsa y 6 7 f 7 1 , , us c e,
H eat 1 6 1
i
,

H e b re w Gr a mma r S p noza s ,
’
l xxxi v
KA M P H U Y Z E N l v i
ii
, ,

i i
,
xc v
Ka rl Lu d w g E l e c t or P a l at
H e e re b oord , xx x i , 1 90, 1 9 3. 195,
l xxx x i
,
ne ,

i b
H e d e l e rg p rof e ssorsh p l xxxi x i ij
Ka t w k -a a n-Z e e l vi ,

Ka y se rl in g x xx
i
,

H e ne x ix xc v u ,
, ,
Ke c k e r m a nn 1 94
H el l 1 16
i
,

Ke rc k r inc k xxx x I f
iii b
,

H i g h e r c r t c sm of t h e B i l e
, ,

K now l e d g e 6 7 if 7 4 76 99 1 1 8
iii
,
, , , , . .
xx x
1 3 3 f 2 04 f , 2 0 8 f 2 1 9 2 2 1 f 231
H om a n l v i
ii
, , , ,

H omo P ol itic u s xc x
,

, i Koe rb a g h A a nd l x , l x xx f , .
J
H onou r l iv 79
H op e 9 0 ff 2 1 3 f
, ,

L A TI N a m ong the J e ws, xxx 1

i
, ,

H u dd e l x x f La u g h t e r 9 5 , 1 2 4 , 2 1 5 fi
i
,
,

H u m a n h a p p in e s s 1 1 8 fi 1 33
L a w , s in , a n d g ra c e , c xx v , 1 1 8
, ,

H u man l a w s 1 39 f L aw s o f Na t u re , 1 39 f , 1 9 6
H u m a n w e a k ne ss 7 9
,

ib i
L e n z , xl x , x c xc v ff , 1 6 9 i i
i ii
,

i
,

H um il t y 8 7 f 2 1 2 2 1 5 L e ss ng x c v , c ii ,

ii
, , ,

H u y g e ns xl i x l x ~l xix if xc
L e y d e n, l v i
, , , ,

H y p oc ri t e s 8 7 f L ig h t in D ar k P l a c e s , l xxx
,
L ig h t on the C a n dl es tic k, The , I
I B N E zR A xx i x xx f , x xxv ii i
L n d e A v a n d e r , c ix
i i
.
,

ii
, ,

I b n G a b irol xx v Lou s X I V , l x x , l xx xv f , l xxxv . ui ,

,

I d e a , 5 0 6 3 if 6 7 if 76 , 1 0 2 , xc
, , , 1 06 f ,

1 5 7 ff 1 70 2 2 0
‘
Lo v e 3 2 ff
, 69 7 1 f , 7 8 if , 1 00 , , ,
, ,

I d e as a n d e xis t e n c e 1 8 1 2 1 if , 1 3 2 , 1 8 8 2 09 2 20 , ,
,

I d ea s of God 1 2 9 of God 80 f 1 16 , 1 2 3, 1 3 3, , ,
,

I d e a r efle xiva 1 2 9 , 1 6 2 2 30 , 1 44 if , 2 10 2 3 3
2 40 ,

Jb
, ,

I d ea tu m 1 6 f , 1 6 9 Lu c a s M , xc c 2 1 8
, . .
, ,

i i
,

I m a g na t on 1 8 8 5 Lu x e m u rg C ou nt , l xxxv u i ,
, ,

I m ma ne nt c a u se 30 3 4 fi , 4 1 , , , 14 6 f ,

1 79 l 3 M AI M O NI DE S xxv u f , xxxi i i , xx xv ,
i i
,

I m m e d a t e mod e 1 58 xc x , 7 1 74 , 1 7 6 f 1 8 9 , 1 9 7 f
16 .

i
. , ,

I m mort a l t y , 6 1 , 10 1 , 1 2 3, 135 ff , 2 0 5 2 3 1 if ,

Ma n 6 3 1 1 6 f 1 2 0 , 1 5 7 , 2 0 3 2 1 1
, , , ,

I mp u l s e 124 a p e rf e c t , 8 4
ii
,

I nc t ng c a u se , 42 1 94 a n d Na t u r e 1 40
d ig ti
, ,

In na on , 9 5 , 2 1 7 a s t h e se r v a nt o f G od 1 1 5 2 2 5
ti i
, ,

I n u c on 6 8 , 70 , 7 3
d Ma n as se h b e n I sra e l , xxv ff xxx v f
fi it id i
, , ,

In n e ea, 1 58 , 16 2 xl v , l x x c x xvi

q i it i
,

I n u s on , th e , xii ff , xx v f M a t anos xi i f ,

I n s e n s u c omp os ito, 4 8 , 1 9 6 f M ar g are t o f P a rm a xiv

i iii
,

I n s e n s u divi s o, 4 8 , 1 9 6 f
I ns t ru m e nt a l c a u se 4 2 , 1 9 3
Ma rt n e a u
Ma t t e r 1 1 9
c xxv 1 6 4 1 8 3 f , 2 10
, J , ,

i ib ii i i
, ,
”
I nv s l e C ol l e g e , th e , lx i M e nnon t e s ,
x xx v , xl i
2 44 I ND E X
M e ta p hys ic al Thoug hts l l xx , iii , ii P
,
t (C di
e rre no ar nal Gra nve l l e ) xi ii ,

16 7. 1 9 5 11 2 0 9 2 3 1 . 2 37 P t 5 f 6
e e r, 0 0, 128 f
i ii ii L mb d
. . ,

Me y er L I ff l x vi f , l xxv xc v o ar 1 77
ii i Ph i l ip H iii
, , , , ,

c xv c xx v x
if
.
, ,

Me y e r , W .
, c xv , c xxv u, 1 8 7 , 1 8 9 f, Phil ip I I I , xxv , x1 .

P hil o Ju d aeu s 1 9 8
i iii i
,

M l t on l x Pl a t o, xx v i, 50 1 7 2 , 2 2 5
i
, ,

M ra c l e s 1 4 2 Pl ea su re , l iv 79 1 4 5
i i
, , ,

M oc hi ng e r x xx P ol i tic a l Tre a tise , The , l xxx v ,

iii
,

M od al difie re nc e 1 5 3 ff 2 2 0 f , , , 2 37 xc f
M oda l iter 1 5 3 ff P ol l o c k S ir F , c xx v ni , 2 1 8
ii
.
, ,

M od e 3 3 5 5 11 6 3 if 7 8 1 5 3 1 58 P ow e ll E E c xx vi
iii i i
. .
, , , , , , , ,

M onnik h off c v fi 1 6 5 f 1 90 P re d e st na t on 4 3 f , 4 8
iii i
, , , ,

M or t e ira S a u l xx xx v xxx , Pre di sp os ng c a u se 4 2 1 94

i
, , , , , ,

c xx v P re se r va t ion 1 0 8 2 2 4
i
, ,

Mo t on a n d r e s t , 2 8 , 30 3 9 , 5 7 6 3 if Prid e 1 1 5 f
i i
, , , ,

1 20 11 1 2 6 , 1 30 , , 1 5 3 11, 1 6 1 , 1 7 2 , P r nc p al c a u se 4 2 1 93 , ,

1 99 fi 2 2 9 P r in c ip ia P hil os op hia C a r tesi an a

ii i
, ,

M iill e r F c v f , c ix
, .
, l x vi ff , l xx , l xxxv xc v , c ix f , ,

M u r r, C T d e c v 16 7
i
. .
,

My l iu s C cv , J . Prop e rt e s or p rop r ia 1 9 4 1 1 7 1
P rovid e nc e 4 7 5 0 1 9 7
, , ,

i
, , ,

Na tu ra n a tu r a ns 5 6 1 99 f Pr o v ok n g c a u se 4 2 f , 1 9 3 f
i
,
, ,

N a tu r a n a tu r a ta 5 6 f 1 99 f P ro x m a t e c a u se , 4 2 1 8 8
i i
,
,
P s y c h o-p h y s c a l p a ra l l e l s m 2 2 7 ff
,

Na t u r al c a u s e 4 1 1 9 3
i i i
,
, ,

Na t ure xxxv 30 3 2 f 4 7 P u s l l a n m t y , 90 f , 9 3 f 2 1 4
, , , , , 5 5 ff , ,

Nat u re e xt e ns on 2 8 i R a in b ow, E s s ay on the l x x x v , c iii i

Na t ure a n d God 2 2 2 5 f 1 5 1 f
,

1 56 f i
R a t onal sm i of m e d i e va l e w s, J
i
Na v g a t i on A c t t h e l xx v
, , ,

i
,
xx x f ii
i
Ne g a t v e th e ol og y 5 3 1 9 8
, ,

i
R e a l d ff e r e nc e , 1 0 2 , 1 5 3 if , 1 5 9 ,

J iii if
, ,

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