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Single Idea 7487

[from 'Tractatus Theologico-Politicus' by Baruch de Spinoza, in 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State ]

Full Idea

For Spinoza the purpose of society was the extension of human awareness.

Gist of Idea

Society exists to extend human awareness

Source

report of Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670]) by Peter Watson - Ideas Ch.24

Book Reference

Watson,Peter: 'Ideas: from fire to Freud' [Phoenix 2006], p.684


A Reaction

I like that. Personally I think human understanding is the best aim our lives can have, but I am inclined to see this in rather individualistic terms (despairing of getting others interested in the project!).