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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 4 page paper refers to Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise in order to compare and contrast the similiarities and differences between the treatment of religion by Spinoza and that of the medieval philosophers. This paper highlights the naturalistic influence of the medievals upon Spinoza as well as many of their specific differences. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_GSSpinza.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
and presents his philosophy on these matters. In this way, Spinoza has a very different approach to religion than did his medieval predecessors. And yet, there is clear
evidence of the medieval influence in his writings, and so Spinoza was obviously drawn to the ideas of many of the medieval philosophers who came before him. In the
end, Spinozas own philosophy is a blend of this influence along with his own seminal ideas, thus producing a very distinct philosophy that has endured centuries.
Spinoza was a product of the early modern period, which means that he was not that far removed from the influence of the medievals.
More specifically, there is a great deal of evidence of medieval Jewish rationalism in the work of Spinoza, although Spinoza without question applies his own logic to these matters.
Essentially however, this connection is evident in terms of Spinozas naturalistic views on God and all of creation. From this foundation, Spinoza formed a moral philosophy based upon the
notion that controlling ones passions was the road to virtue. Every mans true happiness and blessedness consist solely in the
enjoyment of what is good, not in the pride that he alone is enjoying it, to the exclusion of others. He who thinks himself more blessed because he is
enjoying benefits which others are not, or because he is more blessed or more fortunate than his fellows, is ignorant of true happiness and blessedness, and the joy which he
feels is either childish, or envious or malicious (Spinoza, 1951, p. 43). Additionally,
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