Ethics (Classics of World Literature)

Heavy going, but sublime. Irrefutable logic, proving that nature (i.e. the universe) is synonymous with God.In a pre-quantum world, Spinoza naturally reasoned that free will is illusory. If he lived today, then I suspect Spinoza would be more open-minded about the nature of free will.An essential text for anyone with scientific or philosophical leanings.

The indexing system, means rather disjointed reading, but considering written after his death, to be expected, plenty of food for thought!

Recognized as a challenging read, but persevering can bring rewarding moments. Best to read a limited amount at a time. This version is to be commended for the translation and the unmatched translator's introduction.The book itself is well bound and durable and a real bargain at the price. Wordsworth Classics is a series that brings classics at a bargain price.

You never finish it.At least I can't.Read it again and again and am happy for it or beacause of it.J. Gafarot

Good book

Lots of new age thinking seems to have come from this book and some interesting comments and phrases. But a bit dull.

very happy. thank you.

A previous reviewer is right. This is indeed a difficult work. But as Spinoza himself says in the last sentence of his book: "everything that is beautiful is as difficult as it is rare". And this is without doubt a work of great beauty. But also a product of immense human wisdom, of a kind which remains iconoclastic to this day, and is capable of changing lives. Take this line for example: "we do not strain after anything, nor do we want, have an appetite for or desire anything, because we judge that it is good; but, on the contrary, we judge that something is good because we strain after it, because we want, or have an appetite for it, or desire it" (Part III, Propn 9, Scolia). In other words, the source of our ideas about moral value are in our bodies, not in the ideas of some immaterial soul - an insight which Nietzsche would capitalize on over 200 years later. This might seem quite abstract to those who are not used to reading philosophy, but the consequences are quite concrete and practical and inform our everyday actions and thoughts. This book will take some time and effort to read and absorb, but it could well change the way you think, feel, and act.