In 'Ethics,' Benedict de Spinoza presents a revolutionary perspective on morality and the nature of existence, entwining philosophy with a divine view of the universe. He challenges the duality of good and evil, proposing that everything is interconnected through a single substance. Through his geometric method, Spinoza meticulously constructs his arguments, revealing profound insights into human emotions and the pursuit of joy. His ideas on freedom, power, and the divine invite readers to reconsider their place in the cosmos. This seminal work not only reshapes philosophical discourse but also poses timeless questions about the essence of reality and ethical living.
By Benedict de Spinoza
Published: 2005
"The more we know, the more we love; and love is the essence of our being."
A profoundly beautiful and uniquely insightful description of the universe, Benedict de Spinoza's Ethics is one of the masterpieces of Enlightenment-era philosophy. Published shortly after his death, the Ethics is undoubtedly Spinoza's greatest work - an elegant, fully cohesive cosmology derived from first principles, providing a coherent picture of reality, and a guide to the meaning of an ethical life. Following a logical step-by-step format, it defines in turn the nature of God, the mind, the emotions, human bondage to the emotions, and the power of understanding - moving from a consideration of the eternal, to speculate upon humanity's place in the natural order, the nature of freedom and the path to attainable happiness. A powerful work of elegant simplicity, the Ethics is a brilliantly insightful consideration of the possibility of redemption through intense thought and philosophical reflection. The Ethics is presented in the standard translation of the work by Edwin Curley. This edition also includes an introduction by Stuart Hampshire, outlining Spinoza's philosophy and placing it in context. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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“The more we know, the more we love; and love is the essence of our being.”
Ethics
By Benedict de Spinoza
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Benedict de Spinoza (1632-1677) was a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese Sephardi Jewish descent. He is best known for his works in ethics, metaphysics, and political philosophy. His most notable works include "Ethics", where he presents a systematic approach to understanding existence and the nature of reality, and "Theological-Political Treatise", where he argues for the separation of church and state. Spinoza's writing style is characterized by its clarity and logical rigor, using a geometric method to present his philosophical ideas methodically. His thoughts laid the groundwork for modern rationalism and influenced many subsequent thinkers, making him a pivotal figure in Western philosophy.
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