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Single Idea 19435

[from 'The Ethics' by Baruch de Spinoza, in 28. God / A. Divine Nature / 2. Divine Nature ]

Full Idea

There is nothing loveable in a God who produces without choice and by necessity, without discrimination of good and evil. The true love of God is founded not in necessity but in goodness.

Gist of Idea

God is not loveable for producing without choice and by necessity; God is loveable for his goodness

Source

comment on Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 28) by Gottfried Leibniz - Comments on Spinoza's Philosophy

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.496


A Reaction

This responds to Spinoza's claims about an 'intellectual' love of God. But why do we love people. It is possible that it is always for their goodness, but might we not love a great mathematician, simply for their wonderful mathematics?