Ethics

by Spinoza; Parkinson, G. H. R.

• ISBN13: 9780198752141
• ISBN10: 0198752148
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-10
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The Oxford Philosophical Texts series consists of truly practical and accessible guides to major philosophical texts in the history of philosophy from the ancient world up to modern times. Each book opens with a comprehensive introduction by a leading specialist which covers the philosopher's life, work, and influence. Endnotes, a full bibliography, guides to further reading, and an index are also included. The series aims to build a definitive corpus of key texts in the Western philosophical tradition, forming a reliable and enduring resource for students and teachers alike. One of the classical texts of philosophy, Spinoza's Ethics is also one of the most difficult to understand. It discusses the nature of human beings, the way in which a rational person might live, the nature of God, and true freedom and how it can be attained. This volume features a new, lucid translation of Ethics enhanced by a comprehensive guide to Spinoza's work. An extensive introduction includes a short biography of Spinoza; help in understanding the form of Spinoza's writing and his own particular use of definitions; an introduction to the philosophy of Ethics; and a summary of Ethics. Further aids include a glossary of terms, notes to the text, and notes to the translation.

Table of Contents

PART 1: INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL
How to Use this Book	3	(1)
List of Abbreviations	4	(1)
Editor's Introduction	5	(1)
Life and Works	5	(5)
`Demonstrated in Geometrical Order'	10	(2)
The Starting-Points of the Ethics: Axioms, Postulates, and Definitions	12	(3)
Substance and Attributes	15	(4)
The Modes of Extension	19	(3)
The Modes of Thought	22	(4)
Causation and Necessity	26	(4)
Truth and the Kinds of Knowledge	30	(7)
Conatus	37	(3)
The Emotions	40	(3)
The Moral Philosophy of the Ethics	43	(5)
The Influence of the Ethics	48	(271)
Select Bibliography	51	(4)
Summary of Spinoza's Ethics	55	(13)
Notes on the Translation	68	(7)
PART 2: THE TEXT ETHICS, DEMONSTRATED IN GEOMETRICAL ORDER
On God	75	(38)
On the Nature and Origin of the Mind	113	(50)
On the Origin and Nature of the Emotions	163	(62)
On Human Servitude, or, On the Strength of Freedom	225	(62)
On the Power of the Intellect, or, On Human Freedom	287	(32)
PART 3: SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Glossary	319	(6)
Notes to the Ethics	325	(22)
Index of References to the Ethics	347	(4)
Index of Names and Subjects	351