39 pages 1 hour read

Baruch Spinoza

Ethics

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1677

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Essay Topics

1.

Spinoza states that “strictly speaking, God loves no one” (169). He also states that blessedness consists, in part, of “God’s love for men” (176). Can these two statements be reconciled, in your view?

2.

What does Spinoza mean by “superstition”? How does one know if a belief is superstitious?

3.

Spinoza states in Part 4 that humility and pity are not virtues. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Devise a counterargument that humility is rational.