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
Deus sive Natura