Benedict de Spinoza · Philosophy

God, or Nature

Spinoza argues that there is only one substance - infinite, self-caused, and necessary - and that this single substance is what we may call either God or Nature. Everything that exists is a mode of this one reality.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that Spinoza recognised only one substance - infinite, self-caused, necessarily existing - and identified it with both God and Nature ( Deus sive Natura ). Explain why he thought there could be only one substance, and what it means to call it God.

Leads to Descartes.

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