Reader's Guides: Spinoza's Ethics

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Continuum Reader?s Guides are clear concise and accessible introductions to classic works of philosophy. Each book explores the major themes, historical and philosophical context and key passages of a major philosophical text, guiding the reader toward a thorough understanding of often demanding material. Ideal for undergraduate students, the guides provide an essential resource for anyone who needs to get to grips with a philosophical text. The Ethics is one of the undisputed masterworks of early modern philosophy. In this single volume Spinoza offers the reader an unorthodox account of God, a novel version of the mind-body relation, a systematic theory of the emotions and a detailed prescription for human virtue and blessedness. Too controversial to be published during his lifetime, it was surreptitiously printed by Spinoza?s friends after his death. This introduction to the text is the ideal companion to study, offering guidance on: Philosophical and historical context Key themes Reading the text Reception and influence Further reading Table of Contents Spinoza and the Ethics: background and context Main themes and influences Reading the text: On God; On the nature and origin of the mind; On the origin and nature of the affects Of human bondage, or the power of the emotions; On the power of the intellect, or on human freedom The influence of the Ethics Notes for further reading Index