Spinoza's Metaphysics


 

En Sof, Kabbalist Precursor of Spinoza's Infinite Substance


 

The Ancient of Days / God As the Unrestricted Power to Exist


 

The Infinite Attribute of Extension


 

The Infinite Attribute of Thought


 

Parallelism of Attributes

 

An absolutely infinite being must necessarily be defined as consisting in infinite attributes each of which expresses a certain eternal and infinite essence. (Ethics, Book I, Prop. 10, Note)

It is thus evident that, though two attributes are, in fact, conceived as distinct--that is, one without the help of the other--yet we cannot, therefore, conclude that they constitute two entities, or two different substances. For it is the nature of substance that each of its attributes is conceived through itself, inasmuch as all the attributes it has have always existed simultaneously in it, and none could be produced by any other; but each expresses the reality or being of substance. (Ethics, Book I, Prop. 10, Note)



 

From Infinite Substance to Finite Modes



 

Enfolded and Unfolded Being

Complicatio

 

Explicatio

 
 

Complicatio - Explicatio

 


 

Ontological Immanence




 

The Two Sides of Nature

Natura Naturans - Creative Nature

 

Natura Naturata - Created Nature


 

Substance, Attributes, and Modes

 

   

Infinite

     Finite

   

Modes

     Modes

    (Modifications  of the attributes)
 

Attributes

   
  (Essence of substance)    
       /     Rest    \  
     /                   \  
        /   Matter      Bodies - sensation
      /  (extension)  \                   /  
       \    Motion  /  
Substance      
       /  Intellect  \  
Totality of Being    /                   \  
Nature    \      Mind      Minds - perception
God      \ (thought)  \                   /  
       \     Will      /  
Absolute     Relative
Eternal  

 

Passing
Necessary cause of itself     Contingent, merely possible
Free     Necessary
     
CAUSE    

EFFECT

     
Absolutely Infinite Relatively Infinite Infinite

Finite, particular

  (not limited within (no beginning/end;  
  itself) infinite series,  
    diversification;  
    motion is eternal)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 




 

The Human Body as a Finite Mode of the Infinite Attribute of Extension




 

The Body's Proper Proportion of Motion and Rest

Inner_Life of a Cell


 

Deus sive Natura