“ The man, who is guided by reason, is more free in a State, where he lives under a general system of law, than in solitude, where he is independent. ”
Baruch Spinoza, Ethics (1677). copy citation
| Author | Baruch Spinoza |
|---|---|
| Source | Ethics |
| Topic | reason freedom loneliness |
| Date | 1677 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by R. H. M. Elwes |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3800/3800-h/3800-h.htm |
Context
“This may be answered by pointing out that, if reason persuaded him to act thus, it would persuade all men to act in a similar manner, in which case reason would persuade men not to agree in good faith to unite their forces, or to have laws in common, that is, not to have any general laws, which is absurd.
PROP. LXXIII. The man, who is guided by reason, is more free in a State, where he lives under a general system of law, than in solitude, where he is independent.
Proof.—The man, who is guided by reason, does not obey through fear (IV. lxiii.) : but, in so far as he endeavours to preserve his being according to the dictates of reason, that is (IV. LXVI. note), in so far as he endeavours to live in freedom, he desires to order his life according to the general good (IV.” source
PROP. LXXIII. The man, who is guided by reason, is more free in a State, where he lives under a general system of law, than in solitude, where he is independent.
Proof.—The man, who is guided by reason, does not obey through fear (IV. lxiii.) : but, in so far as he endeavours to preserve his being according to the dictates of reason, that is (IV. LXVI. note), in so far as he endeavours to live in freedom, he desires to order his life according to the general good (IV.” source
Meaning and analysis
