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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] |