Why Can’t We All Just Get Along: The Reasonable vs. the Rational According to Spinoza

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2010

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Ethics and Political Philosophy | Philosophy

Abstract

Spinoza presents a picture of the good human life in which being rational and being reasonable or sociable are mutually supporting: the philosopher makes the best citizen, and citizenship is the best route to philosophy and adequate ideas. Crucial to this mutual implication are the roles of religion and politics in promoting obedience. It is through obedience that people can become “of one mind and one body” in the absence of adequate ideas, through the presence of shared empowering imaginations and emotions.

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DOI: 10.1177/0090591710378577

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