Gadzhikurbanov Aslan

The Place of God in Spinoza’s Universe

Abstract

In the description of the structure of his universe Spinoza employs diff erent approaches or strategies considering them as a kind of world building scenarios. Causal scenario is based on the principle of sufficient reason. Metaphysical script deals with the basic categories of his «Ethics» — substance, attributes, modes. Geometric scenario is founded on axiomatic method and is tied with the idea of nature. We can talk of using them mainly in naturalistic sense as much as Spinoza believed that nature speaks primarily in terms of geometry. The author of the present study proves that Spinoza failed to accomplish the mentioned naturalistic program. As it turned out, Spinoza’s God (the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), having the highest authority in the implementation of the principle of naturalism, often actually abolishes it. God in Spinoza’s system is not identical to any of the natural bases of the world order, and at the same time He is able to supply the limitations of the nature’s power by His force (vis et potentia Dei). Hence, along with the named geometric, causal and metaphysical scenarios of world’s structure, Spinoza suggests another, theological and religious script regarding it as the most important for his world outlook.

Keywords

Spinoza, world building scenarios (causal, metaphysical, geometric, theological and religious), philosophical naturalism; the living God; God’s force.

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Information about the author

Gadzhikurbanov Aslan