The Spirit of Spinoza

Many readers will have heard of Spinoza (1632-1677) while knowing little about his work, perhaps from the chapter of Russell's History of Western Philosophy. This book, subtitled 'Healing the Mind' is both an introduction to his thought and a practical application of it, considering that the essence of his work was an emendation of the understanding so that we could reach 'supreme and continuous happiness' by means of union with the Mind of God. There are five chapters: metaphysics, the mind, desire and emotion, freedom from bondage and transcendence, along with 32 exercises that enable readers to gain a first-hand understanding of the process involved, especially in relation to the emotions. One of Spinoza's arguments is for a determinism in terms of our desires, since our choice reflects the strongest desire. Although this is true, the argument is circular as you are always working backwards from what actually happened. Having said this, there is an excellent analysis of the kinds of social programming and conditioning that fundamentally influence the choices we make and the beliefs we hold. Becoming aware of these is freedom from bondage - and one Western example is the priority we give to analysis over appreciation, and also to competition over cooperation. The culmination is union with God and spiritual love of God, feeling and knowing that we are eternal and hence overcoming the longing embedded in the personality as separation from the source. This is what Spinoza call is knowledge of the third kind or blessedness, a message also found in the contemporary books reviewed below.