Abstract and Referential Ontology: Descartes Versus Spinoza on the Existence of God. The concept of God is central to the development of Cartesian and Spinozan philosophy. Although both philosophers employ an ontological argument for the existence and necessity of God the specific nature of God differs greatly with each account. While Descartes suggests a Judeo-Christian concept of God‚ Spinoza argues a more monistic deity similar to that of the Hindu tradition. The most significant difference
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Bill Symons Breeding World View II February 21‚ 2013 Baruch Spinoza “I call him free who is led solely by reason.” Part 1 Baruch Spinoza was born in Amsterdam‚ while the exact day is unknown‚ we know he was born sometime in 1632. He attended Talmud Torah School‚ where he was taught the fundamentals of how to be considered an upright Jewish man. His family were Marranos (forced converts to Christianity) who fled their original country of Portugal to escape the inquisition. (Honderich 545)
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“I think therefore I am-Descartes;” “All noble things are as difficult as they are rare- Spinoza.” Decorates and Spinoza are unique; they are like nothing this class has studied previous. They focus on nature‚ existence and power as the fundamental building blocks to their unique philosophies. The beauty of these two men’s philosophies is not only in their contrasts but in all the ideas the students can draw from their logically thinking strategies; ultimately creating an individual philosophy and
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“Introduction to the Critical Study of Biblical Literature” Critical Reading Exercise #1 Reading Spinoza on Studying the Bible Instructions: The following questions are designed to help you discover some of the most important points in your reading selection. The questions follow the basic course of the article excerpts. 1) At whom‚ what category of persons‚ is Spinoza “mad?” Spinoza is "mad" at those people in organized religions whose only aim is obdience and to "compel others to
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Erik Irre Modern Philosophy December 16‚ 1999 Paper 1‚ Section 2 If these great thinkers (Descartes‚ Spinoza‚ and Leibniz) were to discuss instead the soul’s connection to the body‚ what might each say (both on his own behalf and in response to the other)? Would they find any places where they might agree? If not‚ why not? (These are‚ after all‚ smart guys!) Though this sort of meeting would strike me as a debate with as furiously disparate and uncompromising ideals as one would find
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well as seven axioms at the very beginning of his work. These definitions and axioms are set up in a way in which Spinoza can formulate arguments for the proof of the propositions he later presents. One of the definitions I found surprising was the fourth one‚ which states “By attribute I mean that which the intellect perceives of substance as constituting its essence.” (pg. 31 Spinoza)‚which is found in the beginning of Spinoza’s ethics. Based off his definition it can be found that it is not completely
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BENEDICT SPINOZA If one were to make a list of iconoclastic and radical thinkers‚ Benedict Spinoza would rank high. His great and enduring work‚ Ethics‚ continues to have renewed impact‚ currently among environmentalists and ecologically minded thinkers. Spinoza wrote numerous philosophical‚ political‚ and religious criticism works. His efforts consistently express a mind set in favor of religious tolerance and in opposition to traditional religious orthodoxy. In his two major works‚ Tractatus
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Term Paper‚ Philosophy 1107 Aaron Davis Evaluation & Comparison Between Descartes and Spinoza About The Paper: What I will do in this following paper is to discuss two very interesting philosophers‚ Rene Descartes and Benedictus de Spinoza. I will discuss each philosopher’s perspectives and insights on their most recognized theories and thoughts. I will then evaluate them and then give my opinion on the given topic. By doing this‚ I will contrast the similarities and
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free will and basis for judgement of free will exists or not. Spinoza‚ Paul‚ Augustine‚ Luther have all grappled with this question of free will for many years. What has been said goes to a religious side. Which has been believed of an omnipotent God who will preordain who would be saved and who would be lost. In the simple but complex question in the book of whether or not you slept in late or not‚ and has been said that God knew you would. With the explanation of the book in its words go
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right to act means nothing more than a capacity to do so. Spinoza is also contra-dictionary as he defends absolute freedom but puts forward exceptions. Both argue that the sovereign has a right to act as it wishes and to listen to subjects’ opinion is simply a case of self-interest as doing otherwise would result in resentment‚ thus natural right is determined not by reason but by desire and power as subjects are born ignorant. Spinoza argues that appetite draws people to different directions creating
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