PHLB35H3 Lecture : Rationalism, Spinoza
Document Summary
The ethics makes use of the geometric method : beginning with a list of definitions and axioms, and then deducing various propositions on the basis of these. The demonstration of each proposition depends exclusively on the definitions, axioms and other previously demonstrated propositions. Generally speaking, there are two kinds of definitions: those that are purely stipulative, those that are intended to accurately describe something. Spinoza"s own wording sometimes suggests his definitions are intended to be of type 1: most of them start with by x i mean . but most take spinoza"s definitions to be of type 2. These are general principles that are assumed to be true. Unlike the propositions, the truth of the axioms is supposed to be self-evident; they do not require proof or demonstration. We can sum up the principal claims of part i rather briefly. There exists only one thing, a substance with infinitely many attributes and that one substance is god (or nature).
