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Full Idea
In Spinoza, self-knowledge, and only self-knowledge, liberates.
Gist of Idea
Only self-knowledge can liberate us
Source
report of Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675]) by Alasdair MacIntyre - A Short History of Ethics Ch.10
Book Ref
MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'A Short History of Ethics' [Routledge 1967], p.144
A Reaction
Spinoza was a determinist, as far as ultimate inner freedom is concerned. The massive continental philosophers' effort of phenomenology and deconstruction seems to be premissed on this idea. Freedom seems to be their highest value.
| 8020 | Only self-knowledge can liberate us [Spinoza, by MacIntyre] |
| 19864 | In nature men can dispose of possessions and their persons in any way that is possible [Locke] |
| 20581 | If men are born free, are women born slaves? [Astell] |
| 19774 | A savage can steal fruit or a home, but there is no means of achieving obedience [Rousseau] |
| 7232 | Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains [Rousseau] |
| 7234 | No man has any natural authority over his fellows [Rousseau] |
| 7212 | Individuals have sovereignty over their own bodies and minds [Mill] |
| 8022 | I am naturally free if I am not tied to anyone by a contract [MacIntyre] |