Road to Inner Freedom

Plot

Look in any history of philosophy and Spinoza's Ethics will be described as "one of the most difficult" works in philosophy.

About two years ago I set my self the task of working through Spinoza's geometrical system of God, Mind, Emotions, The Strength of the Emotions, And The Intellect. I tackled it 5 propositions at a time. It was like reading a lease. Very dry, but very important. In short, I loved it, and really not that difficult. (I don't read leases in my spare time).

What I most enjoyed was Spinoza's grappling with the emotions and his focus on intelligent introspection. The end result of this for Spinoza was the happy discovery, arrived at by geometrical proof, that deep down we are good, indeed blessed. This is not wishful thinking, but a meticulous application of logic and the facts. How he does it is amazing, and worth reading

Spinoza's conclusions point the way to a happy life of self-discovery. His broader picture of God lies waiting for others, especially theoretical physicists, to pick up the trail where he left it.