A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Spinoza`s Ode to Reason




AuthorsKoistinen Olli

PublisherPolish Academy of Sciences - Institute of Philosophy and Sociology

Publication year2021

JournalDialogue and Universalism

Journal name in sourceDialogue and Universalism

Volume31

Issue3

First page 265

Last page279

eISSN1689-3816


Abstract

In this paper, the main features of Spinoza’s conception of Reason are laid out. First, how Reason differs on the one hand from opinion and imagination and on the other hand from intuitive knowledge. After that the validation of Reason is considered. As I interpret Benedict de Spinoza, even finite subjects enjoy freedom of Reason. I will give the reasons for this doctrine which seems to be inconsistent with Spinoza’s universal determinism. One of the most fascinating aspects of Spinoza’s rationalism is that the acts of reason are intrinsically motivating in bringing joy to the thinker. I will try to make sense of that view. In the concluding section of the paper, I try to make sense of how this affective feature of reasoning as an intrinsically joyful activity leads to rational love of God which, if things go well, leads to intellectual love of God in which our blessedness or salvation lies.



Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 11:13