The Philosophy of Benedict Spinoza: Rationalism, Substance, and the Ethics of Freedom [2496]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: baccalaureate level or equivalent; proficiency in French
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: French
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course offers a rigorous and critical examination of the philosophical system of Benedict de Spinoza (1632–1677), one of the central figures of early modern rationalism. The course engages deeply with Spinoza’s Ethics, Theological-Political Treatise, and selected correspondence, with particular emphasis on his Metaphysics of Substance, Epistemology, Theory of Mind, Determinism, Freedom, and Ethical Naturalism. Spinoza’s thought are examined in dialogue with his predecessors (Descartes, Hobbes) and successors (Leibniz, Kant, Hegel), as well as in light of contemporary philosophical debates in ontology, epistemology, political theory, and philosophy of religion. The course seeks to illuminate Spinoza’s vision of a universe ordered by necessity and intelligibility, where true freedom arises from understanding, and living according to the guidance of reason.

Learning Outcomes

This course enables you to:

• Comprehend Spinoza’s rationalist methodology and his geometric style of demonstration.
• Discover Spinoza’s metaphysics of substance, attributes, and modes.
• Understand Spinoza’s epistemology and theory of adequate ideas.
• Understand Spinoza’s conception of freedom, necessity, and determinism.
• DIscover his contributions to political philosophy and philosophy of religion.
• Appreciate Spinoza’s enduring influence on modern and contemporary thought.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Analyse the systems of modern philosophy, from rationalism to Kantian criticism. 

Course Outline

Section 1: The Life of Baruch (Benedict) Spinoza (1632–1677)

Section 2: Spinoza and the Method of Geometry in Philosophy

Section 3: Spinoza on Substance, God, and Nature

Section 4: Attributes and Modes in Spinoza’s Metaphysics

Section 5: Spinoza’s Epistemology: Three Kinds of Knowledge

Section 6: Mind and Body: Parallelism

Section 7: The Affects and Human Passions

Section 8: Freedom, Reason, and Virtue

Section 9: Spinoza’s Political Philosophy

Section 10: Spinoza and Religion

Section 11: Spinoza’s Determinism and the Problem of Free Will

Section 12: Spinoza’s Legacy in Modern Philosophy

Section 13: Contemporary Interpretations of Spinoza

Section 14: Critical Reflections on Spinoza’s Philosophy

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade,
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation. 

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises);
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone with a general level of education equivalent to the baccalaureate, or with personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written French is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered. 

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu. 

Selective Bibliography

• Baruch Spinoza, Ethica, ordine geometrico demonstrata, 1677.
• Baruch Spinoza, Tractatus theologico-politicus, 1670.
• Baruch Spinoza, Tractatus politicus, 1677.
• Baruch Spinoza, Principia philosophiae cartesianae, 1663.
• Baruch Spinoza, Korte Verhandeling van God, de Mensch, en deszelvs Welstand (Short Treatise on God, Man, and His Well-
• Being), published posthumously.
• Baruch Spinoza, De intellectus emendatione (On the Improvement of the Understanding), published posthumously.