Single Idea 21859

[catalogued under 28. God / A. Divine Nature / 2. Divine Nature]

Full Idea

If God works to obtain an end, He necessarily seeks something of which he stands in need.

Gist of Idea

God has no purpose, because God lacks nothing

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IApp)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.38


A Reaction

The point is that a being with infinite attributes cannot be in need of anything, and hence God merely exists, but does not have a purpose. Hence falling in line with God's purposes cannot be an aim of a human religion.