Our reading topic for this post is based on Spinoza and Leibniz. They believe that substances are completely self contained and everything happens for a reason. They based their philosophies on that point.Spinoza believed that there can be only one substance in the universe with infinitely many attributes. This substance is in everything and connects us all to each other. This substance is God. "Since the One Substance has always existed and will always exist, our own immortality is assured." His thoughts on human emotion were similar to a stoic, but less extreme. He believed that bliss should be achieved rather than no emotion at all.
Leibniz, on the other hand, proposes there are infinitely many simple substances that are self contained and independent of all others, rather than Spinoza's unifying philosophy. He believed that how we perceive things is based on God's creation of a "pre-established harmony" with one another.
Factual Question: What is the belief that God and the universe are one in the same called?
Pantheism
Discussion question: Which philosophy do you favor and why?
I prefer Spinoza's philosophy, personally. His belief that God and the universe are one in the same sounds appealing to me. Spinoza says we are all a part of God and that makes us all unified with one another ties in with my beliefs as well.
ReplyDeleteSidenote:
Leibniz says that no "monad" actually interacts with one another, and I can't make sense of that idea. If anyone has an explanation that sounds reasonable, I'd like to hear it.
I agree with Nick here, in that I feel Spinoza had the better idea that we are all made of the same substance and this makes us inter-connected. Coming from a Buddhist stand point, the idea that we are all inter-connected through cause and effect and karma, Spinoza's claims are more inline with mine. I feel that these connections are felt by every being, examples of this being the feeling of love and friendship.
ReplyDeleteOh and a note to Nick: I too am totally confused on the idea of "monads" and how they do not interact with one another. How would this explain this simple interaction right now? Is this not happening or am I just talking to myself?
ReplyDeletehere is a link on Leibniz
ReplyDeletehttp://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz/#MonWorPhe
http://www.angelfire.com/md2/timewarp/leibniz.html
ReplyDeleteI totally believe God is within us, and is the unifying force in the world. Spinoza appeals to me, and his use of science, math and other factual sources to develop such beliefs in God is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think Monads are supposed to be like our perception of the soul...maybe.