Ethics

What does Spinoza mean by “superstition”? How does one know if a belief is superstitious?

Spinoza states in Part 4 that humility and pity are not virtues. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Devise a counterargument that humility is rational.

What is the third kind of knowledge (intuition)? What might be an example of it in everyday life?

Spinoza argues that self-interest is the foundation of virtue. If this is true, what prevents the man of reason from being merely selfish? Cite examples from the text.

Why does Spinoza call sadness a “lesser perfection” (77) rather than an imperfection?

Spinoza says that virtue involves increasing one’s power. In your view, is Spinoza arguing that “might makes right”? Why or why not?

Spinoza says that we are only aware of the knowledge of good and evil as an emotion (120). If good and evil are merely emotions for us, then how do we arrive at an intellectual knowledge of virtue and of God?

Spinoza asserts that an affect can only be destroyed by another and stronger affect (120). Yet he also argues that we can free ourselves of an affect by forming a clear and distinct idea of it (163). Can these two statements be reconciled, in your view?