Single Idea 4825

[catalogued under 28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / c. God is the good]

Full Idea

Those who maintain that God acts in all things with a view of promoting what is good are very far from the truth. For they seem to set up something beyond God, which does not depend on God, but which God looks to as an exemplar or goal.

Gist of Idea

To say that God promotes what is good is false, as it sets up a goal beyond God

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], I Pr 33)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.74


A Reaction

That is, Spinoza agrees with Euthyphro, and disagrees with Socrates (see Idea 337). Personally I agree with Socrates, but then I am not 'intoxicated with God' as Spinoza was. If God isn't good, why worship Him?

Related Idea

Idea 337 It seems that the gods love things because they are pious, rather than making them pious by loving them [Plato]