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Single Idea 19917
[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 4. Aims of Reason
]
Full Idea
Without mutual help and the cultivation of reason, human beings necessarily live in great misery.
Gist of Idea
Without reason and human help, human life is misery
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.05)
Book Ref
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.197
A Reaction
A clarion call from a great voice of the Enlightenment. I agree, but in 2017 the rest of western civilization seems to have given up on this ideal. I blame Adorno and Horkheimer.
The
33 ideas
from 'Tractatus Theologico-Politicus'
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7487
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Society exists to extend human awareness
[Spinoza, by Watson]
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7827
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Spinoza wanted democracy based on individual rights, and is thus the first modern political philosopher
[Stewart,M on Spinoza]
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4300
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The Bible has nothing in common with reasoning and philosophy
[Spinoza]
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19914
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In nature everything has an absolute right to do anything it is capable of doing
[Spinoza]
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19915
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Natural rights are determined by desire and power, not by reason
[Spinoza]
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19916
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The order of nature does not prohibit anything, and allows whatever appetite produces
[Spinoza]
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19918
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Forming a society meant following reason, and giving up dangerous appetites and mutual harm
[Spinoza]
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19917
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Without reason and human help, human life is misery
[Spinoza]
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19919
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People only give up their rights, and keep promises, if they hope for some greater good
[Spinoza]
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19921
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Once you have given up your rights, there is no going back
[Spinoza]
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19920
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Democracy is a legitimate gathering of people who do whatever they can do
[Spinoza]
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19923
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Slavery is not just obedience, but acting only in the interests of the master
[Spinoza]
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19924
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The freest state is a rational one, where people can submit themselves to reason
[Spinoza]
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19922
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People are only free if they are guided entirely by reason
[Spinoza]
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19925
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In democracy we don't abandon our rights, but transfer them to the majority of us
[Spinoza]
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19926
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The sovereignty has absolute power over citizens
[Spinoza]
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19927
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State and religious law can clash, so the state must make decisions about religion
[Spinoza]
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19928
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No one, in giving up their power and right, ceases to be a human being
[Spinoza]
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19929
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Everyone who gives up their rights must fear the recipients of them
[Spinoza]
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19930
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Sovereignty must include the power to make people submit to it
[Spinoza]
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19931
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Every state is more frightened of its own citizens than of external enemies
[Spinoza]
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19932
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The early Hebrews, following Moses, gave up their rights to God alone
[Spinoza]
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19933
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If religion is law, then piety is justice, impiety is crime, and non-believers must leave
[Spinoza]
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19934
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Hebrews were very hostile to other states, who had not given up their rights to God
[Spinoza]
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19935
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Peoples are created by individuals, not by nature, and only distinguished by language and law
[Spinoza]
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19937
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Monarchs are always proud, and can't back down
[Spinoza]
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19936
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Kings tend to fight wars for glory, rather than for peace and liberty
[Spinoza]
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19938
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Allowing religious ministers any control of the state is bad for both parties
[Spinoza]
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19939
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Government is oppressive if opinions can be crimes, because people can't give them up
[Spinoza]
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19940
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Deposing a monarch is dangerous, because the people are used to royal authority
[Spinoza]
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19942
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Treason may be committed as much by words as by deeds
[Spinoza]
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19943
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The state aims to allow personal development, so its main purpose is freedom
[Spinoza]
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19944
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Without liberty of thought there is no trust in the state, and corruption follows
[Spinoza]
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