Spinoza Political Excerpts Study Q's

Question 1

According to Spinoza, how can we “lessen” our sadness over something we have lost?

Answer 1

Sadness over something we have lost is lessened as soon as the man who lost it realizes that this good could not, in any way, have been kept.

Question 2

What is the point of Spinoza’s “infant” example? What does it have to do with determinism and the human imagination?

Answer 2

We do not pity infants because we were once infants and there are many infants in the world. If most people were grown up and only a few were infants, everyone would pity the infants. He’s basically saying that the view on things depends on the circumstances.

Question 3

What is Spinoza’s “conatus doctrine”?

Answer 3

Each thing strives to preserve in its being

Question 4

For Spinoza, can anything destroy itself?

Answer 4

Nothing can destroy itself

Question 5

According to Spinoza, is it possible for humans to live entirely independently, without relying on anything/anyone else in Nature?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

According to Spinoza, on what basis do people necessarily agree with one another?

Answer 6

Things which are common to all can be conceived adequately. In so far only as men live in obedience to reason, do they always necessarily agree in nature.

Question 7

What, according to Spinoza, is most beneficial for the preservation of man?

Answer 7

That all should agree in all things that the minds and bodies of all would compose, as it were, one mind and one body.

Question 8

How does Spinoza describe the fully rational person?

Answer 8

A man strong in character hates no one, is angry with no one, envies no one, is indignant with no one, scorns no one, and is not at all proud