Baruch Spinozas Anti Anthroponcentric View Essay -- Philosophy Spinoz

When Baruch Spinoza composed his philosophical masterpiece, theEthics, he knew that his ideas ( discloseicularly those of God) would be considered hereticalin the extreme, leading to any number of unpleasant consequences. This was the discernmentthat the Ethics were published in 1677, posthumously (p.97)1. His apprehensions are welljustified in the light of what he writes in the Appendix (p.145-149) to Part1 ConcerningGod (p.129-145) regarding the prejudices present in the minds of human beings. For, it ishere that Spinoza directly challenges the prevalent religious orthodoxy and seeks toremove the very dogma that was the basis of their power.Spinoza asserts in the Appendix (p.145) that there be certain prejudicesin the minds of people that prevent them from understanding (and accepting as true) theconclusions that he reaches after a thoroughly logical and indeed, geometrical process ofreasoning. The bow of all these prejudices, he further clarifies, is the almost universalbelief that all Natural things exist and act with some definite goal being pursued. Further,he presents for scrutiny the very strong anthropomorphism inherent in most human mindsthat makes these people believe in the universe having been created for their sake. Lastlycomes the religious part of this picture, wherein mankind exists so that it may worshipGod, thereby closing the circle of creation.Spinoza (naturally, considering his philosophy) rejects this picture andthereby attempts in the Appendix to argue on the next crucial points 1) The reason1 Roger Ariew & Eric Watkins. Modern Philosophy An anthology of primary sources.Indianapolis/Cambridge, 1998.Note All references to Spinoza will be to this text unless otherw... ...e former, Spinoza replies, ...the ideal of things should be measured solely fromtheir own nature and power and not with respect to definitions in the imagination.Furthermore, God had no free will in creating the universe, (from Cor. 1 Pr. 32, p.142 asdescribed previo usly) and (from Pr.16, p.137) from the necessity of thedivine..(follows)..everything that can come within the scope of infinite intellect.Therefore, God must, of necessity, be the cause of everything, perfect and imperfect6In conclusion, Spinoza provides an immaculate argument that shouldreadily convince the reader of the truth of his main proposition in the Appendix, i.e. thatthe major reason for obstacles in the track of understanding is the anthropocentric viewof Nature that most people hold on to, irrespective of the enormity of the contradictionsinherent in that view.7