more from Baruch de Spinoza

Single Idea 19924

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 6. Political freedom]

Full Idea

The freest state is that whose laws are founded on sound reason; for there each man can be free whenever he wishes, that is, he can live under the guidance of reason with his whole mind.

Gist of Idea

The freest state is a rational one, where people can submit themselves to reason

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.10)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.201


A Reaction

I wonder if is not so much that the state is rational as that it is right. Freedom is submission to the truth. Rationality is only good because it arrives at truth. But is there a 'truth' about how a state should be run? Enlightenment optimism.

Related Idea

Idea 19922 People are only free if they are guided entirely by reason [Spinoza]