return to list of latest ideas

Single Idea 20305

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 1. Acting on Desires]

Full Idea

Desire is man's very essence, insofar as it is agreed to be determined, from any affection of it, to do something. ...Desire is appetite, together with the consciousness of it.

Gist of Idea

Whenever we act, then desire is our very essence

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], III Def of Aff I)

A Reaction

[I think that is the gist of it!] This sounds a bit circular, but seems to say that actions are almost entireoy the expression of desires.

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. Curley,Edwin [Penguin 1996], p.104