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Single Idea 4855

[from 'The Ethics' by Baruch de Spinoza, in 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / a. Human distinctiveness ]

Full Idea

Men insofar as they live in obedience to reason, necessarily live always in harmony with one another.

Gist of Idea

If people are obedient to reason, they will live in harmony

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pr 35)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.209


A Reaction

A beautiful slogan for a belief which has gripped me since I was a child. It embodies the frustration of philosophers from Plato onwards, and it may well be childishly idealistic. Politics is the art of the possible, said R.A.B. Butler.