back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 4813

[from 'The Ethics' by Baruch de Spinoza, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined ]

Full Idea

By substance I mean that which is in itself, and is conceived through itself; in other words, that of which a conception can be formed independently of any other conception.

Gist of Idea

Substance is that of which an independent conception can be formed

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], I Def 3)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.45


A Reaction

A striking blurring of epistemology and ontology. He eventually settles for it being a concept rather than a fact of nature. It still begs a thousand questions, but it probably leads to monads and logical atoms.