Features an extensive introduction, comprehensive guides, and several other study aids to help readers interpret
Spinoza's work
One of the classical texts of philosophy, Spinoza's Ethics is also one of the most difficult to understand. It
discusses the nature of human beings, the way in which a rational person might live, the nature of God, and true
freedom and how it can be attained. This volume features a new, lucid translation of Ethics enhanced by a comprehensive
guide to Spinoza's work. An extensive introduction includes a short biography of Spinoza; help in understanding
the form of Spinoza's writing and his own particular use of definitions; an introduction to the philosophy of Ethics;
and a summary of Ethics. Further aids include a glossary of terms, notes to the text, and notes to the translation.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Introductory Material
How to Use This Book
List of Abbreviations
Editor's Introduction
1. Life and Works
2. 'Demonstrated in Geometrical Order'
3. The Starting-Points of Ethics: Axioms, Postulates, and Definitions
4. Substance and Attributes
5. The Modes of Extension
6. The Modes of Thought
7. Causaion and Necessity
8. Truth and the Kinds of Knowledge
9. Conatus
10. The Emotions
11. The Moral Philosophy of the Ethics
12. The Influence of the Ethics
Selected Bibliography
A Summary of Spinoza's Ethics
Notes on the Transition
Part 2: The Text
Ethics, Demonstrated in Geometrical Order
Part One: On God
Part Two: On the Nature and Origin of the Mind
Part Three: On the Origin and Nature of Emotions
Part Four: On Human Servitude, or On the Strength of Emotions
Part Five: On the Power of the Intellect, or On Human Freedom
Part 3: Supplementary Material
Glossary
Notes to the Ethics
Index of References
Index of Names and Subjects
