Ethics (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

~ Benedict de Spinoza (Author), Edwin Curley (Translator), Stuart Hampshire (Introduction)
Key Phrases: infinitely many modes, infinitely many things, lesser perfection, Alternate Dem, Therefore God (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The noblest and most lovable of the great philosophers ... ethically he is supreme. -- Bertrand Russell

Review

The noblest and most lovable of the great philosophers ... ethically he is supreme. (Bertrand Russell)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; New edition (July 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140435719
• ISBN-13: 978-0140435719
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,855 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Nonfiction > Foreign Language Nonfiction > Dutch
  #21 in	Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > History, 17th & 18th Century

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best translation of the "Ethics" in the english language, September 7, 2005

By	André Santos Campos (Portugal) - See all my reviews

If you ever heard of Spinoza, you have probably heard also of his "Ethics". This book is simply Spinoza's finest and most valuable book. One could say many things about the "Ethics", but they would be unnecessary: if you want to know about the book, buy a guide or read a compendium on the history of philosophy.

But this is the actual text; here there is no talking about the book, only the actual getting inside it.
The "Ethics" were first published in 1677, in the "Opera Postuma", right after Spinoza's death. The first reaction to it was of disgust; later on, with the german idealists, Spinoza was recuperated from a mistreatment, and was even considered to be the true beginning of all good Philosophy (Hegel). In the end of the 19th century, Elwes published the "Ethics" in the english language for the first time; in the 20th century, 2 new translations appeared, the one by Samuel Shirley, and this one, by Edwin Curley. Edwin Curley, actually, decided to publish, in the 1980s, the collected revised works of Spinoza in english, where in the first volume was included his translation of the "Ethics". This is the translation included in this Penguin volume.

Edwin Curley is a reputated scholar on Spinoza and his translation of the "Ethics" surpasses any other ever written in the english language: it is the most quoted and consulted translation of the "Ethics" by the english-speaking scholars, and it well deserves its success.

If you want to read Spinoza's "Ethics", this is your edition.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philosophy by a Master, September 30, 2007

By	James Leis (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Ethics is a towering work by an absolute genius, a mathematical definitive explanation of G~d, the universe and man's place in it. Read it not because you think you must fight through `great philosophy', but for its beautiful symmetry of ground breaking rational thought. I eagerly recommend this work to anyone interested in exploring their thoughts on philosophy, religion and psychology. If anything, Ethics obtains renewed relevance in the post-modern 21st century and its unfolding events.

Imagine setting out as an objective to describe human existence and the "journey to inner freedom." To accomplishment that feat, we must first begin with G~d and the universe, then work our way through nature, religion, society, science, and evolution until we can frame the essence of man. Imagine then that we wish to make sense of the human paradox of violence, hate, love and passion, fear and hope, and give it a framework through which to view the world and gain serenity and purpose.

Imagine further that we do not wish to merely write yet another philosophical or Eastern spiritual text. We wish to supersede and encompass all these earlier attempts, including current thinking on Judeo Christian practice. While doing so, we shall set our bar high. We will extrapolate these beliefs and universal relationships as a geometric treatise in the manner of a mathematical proof, with definitions, axioms and propositions, and so demonstrate the possibility of reducing philosophy and the pursuit of human fulfillment to a scientific exercise.

Now imagine that we shall set out on our metaphysical journey during the Inquisition, when espousals contrary to the Church result in execution. Imagine that our thoughts are so revolutionary that even the heretics (mainly Protestants) and evolving philosophers with whom we must find safe harbor view our thoughts with alarm. Imagine ourselves cut off from public discourse, excommunicated from family and friends. Lastly, imagine we are frail and suffer from ill health, our views necessarily rendering us relatively penniless and unknown, hiding in modest obscurity. Now dear reader, we are ready to begin our book on the meaning of life despite the fact that we will never publish it for fear of death.

Most great thinkers name `Ethics' among their largest influences. Einstein espoused himself a Spinozan. It is certainly one of the most astounding and important books ever written.

His work changed my life. He not only filled in pieces of the puzzle I had missing, he rearranged them and gave them sense. I view almost all important constructs in life within his tautology. Please read Spinoza.

One last note: Readers may find one of the translations of his work more approachable. I plead with the reader not to allow the geometric treatise of his work to get in the way of accessing this most incredible accomplishment.

His astounding work is a testament to the blinding power of rational thought.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spinoz's Ethics, October 4, 2007

By	Spacejam "Spacejam" (Kingshill, VI Virgin Islands (U.S.)) - See all my reviews

Spinoza worked through his ideas using his mathematical background. He diligently recorded his postulates in a very studied order. Remember, he wrote this in the 1600's under trying circumstances.

Anyone can pick up the "Ethics" today, randomly open the book and find meaning on just about any topic. For example, I'm opening the book now, Page 132, the first thing I read in Italics is:

"Only insofar as men live according to the guidance of reason, must they always agree in nature."

At the top of that same page it says, "Peter has the idea of a thing he loves which is already possessed, whereas Paul has the idea of a thing he loves which is lost. That is why one is affected with joy and the other with sadness, and to that extent they are contrary to one another."

Spinoza teaches us to be moral without religion, but with a total belief in God. His view is that there is nothing that cannot be known. Try it, for this book will end up being well worn by you.