What is Spinoza's God?

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Check out Seekers of Unity's video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHTahnZ5YqymhMk And support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: www.paypal.com/paypalme/letstalkreligion

[@Zuperduperboi2]

Nice livestream yesterday! Would absolutely love you to go into kabalah, after wahabi, and the other things

[@GeoffreyFeldmanMA]

Good teaching of a very complex philosopher. I think you should have mentioned that Reform Judaism, the most liberal and least orthodox aspect of Judaism was initially known as "Spinozaism". Einstein identified with that as well, and did participate with Reform congregation. The key tenant of Reform Judaism is that acts of love and making the world better are more important than rituals or other acts of devotion. This is also a more liberal and broad interpretation of the Jewish Creed of "Tikkun Olam" or "Heal the World". Within Judaism, this broadening of Jewish tradition also made him upsetting to the more traditional teachings.

[@ChessPlayer78]

Hi Filip, are you also god intoxicated person?

[@Seanus32]

@Let's Talk Religion - what do you make of the merits of panentheism? Have you done a video on this?

[@ems7623]

Fantastic channel, i must say. I'm an art historian and professor. I often look for supplemental videos for students in my classes who might want a little extra instructional information on topics tangential or contextual. But every once in a while i find myself filling in little areas of the undergraduate courses i never took. Religious studies was a department i avoided in my youth - for reasons of strong personal bias which would have prevented me being a good religious studies student at that age. So, I'm very grateful for what you're doing here ... And of course I'm writing this on the Spinoza video. Ha! Typical.

[@aapp953]

I like how you take the extra effort to pronounce peoples names in their proper languages. That is a very respectful thing to do and very admirable.

[@wendyleeconnelly2939]

if one is fluent in other languages (as I assume our host may be) that can be easier. personally since i am not fluent in other languages I never attempt to pronounce someone's name as it would be pronounced in their language. it's too easy to butcher it, badly, or, if I happened to do a good job, it can create the false impression I was fluent in a language I wasn't fluent in. It's smoothest to get as accurate as a pronunciation as I can manage in my natural accent. If someone was speaking about me to one another in French or German or Russian or Chinese, or anything, I wouldn't dream of expecting them to pronounce my name in an American accent. I couldn't imaging expecting anything but their best approximation of my name in a pronunciation in their natural accent.

[@wendyleeconnelly2939]

Even some people fluent in English, but with strong accents, pronounce my name quite "wrongly", emphasizing wrong syllables or not getting the consonants the way I would. I wouldn't dream of correcting them. If they have it roughly right and consistent with their mastery of English, I consider it right.

[@aapp953]

@@wendyleeconnelly2939 yeah I don't think anyone would expect anything more but thats why I felt the need to compliment the host for going the extra mile.

[@aapp953]

@@wendyleeconnelly2939 yeah I can imagine a British or Australian person having that issue with your name. I have a friend who is from New Zealand and everyone has to ask him about 2-3 times to repeat himself, best times is when he has a couple of alcoholic drink

[@Dwg256]

54334

[@KrausHaus0]

“What really interests me," Albert Einstein once remarked, "is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world."

[@KrausHaus0]

I actually learned this quote from a book by Sagan so I feel called out by the intro

[@konyvnyelv.]

Free will doesn't exist therefore he couldn't help creating the world

[@simesaid]

@@konyvnyelv. why, or how, would the free will (or lack thereof) Homo Sapiens Sapiens, in any way affect the range of possible values that the laws of nature could adopt in the universe? Your comment (as it currently stands) does not make any sense...

[@konyvnyelv.]

@@simesaid no freedom can exist in every way and realm. It's logically inconsistent so if God exists and does something, it's because he couldn't do otherwise.

[@chazwyman8951]

There is no "He". It's just reality.

[@SeekersofUnity]

Thank you for this great collab Filip. It's a pleasure being part of the creator community with you. Looking forward to more great work together. Much love, Zevi.

[@bernardcornellisvanmeijere4375]

צבי (זאבי?) איפה אתה גר? בארצות הברית? בארץ?

[@LetsTalkReligion]

This was a great collaboration! Looking foward to more in the future!

[@SeekersofUnity]

@@LetsTalkReligion You nailed the pronunciation btw 😉👌🏻

[@SeekersofUnity]

@@bernardcornellisvanmeijere4375 בארץ

[@LetsTalkReligion]

@@SeekersofUnity Yay! :)

[@shafiqjasar7260]

Humans, like everything in nature are multi-dimensional, especially in their thoughts. Great thinkers like Spinoza, Rumi, the Buddha, Descartes and so many others are capable of expressing their philosophical thoughts in a way that reaffirms our own thoughts about the causal forces giving shape to what we know as physical Universe. A great video.

[@chazvalvo2840]

Very wise words sir.

[@george_m._grow]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/naLOnpqdndJ0qK8

Great thinkers are also very capable of being wrong. Especially when they lived in primitive cultures.

[@FOLKTALES456]

Do you mean humans are complex in their nature or personality?

[@thefreemonk6938]

Cope

[@briankleinschmidt3664]

Spinoza is a giant in history. I am thankful that you covered him. People should know about him.

[@toa12th4]

Spinoza's idea of substance seems easy to draw parallels with Ibn Arabi and wahdat-al-wujud as well as shankaracharya and more broadly the hindu idea of brahman, though Spinoza seems like an 'atheistic theist' in a unique and interesting way. None of these people's ideas can be put into an accurate label or sentence that wouldn't be reductive, but all of them share a conceptual through-line.

[@ramkitty]

Similar parallels to tao te ching and the dao

[@Oatmeal_Mann]

Definitely!

[@drcoco2k]

Spinoza is a Deist.

[@dharmapalsharma2679]

🙏👏🌹 THAT May be DIVINE BLESSINGS OF THE DIVINE FREE WILL 🙏👏🌹

[@bored78612]

@@anahata3478 Abrahamic god can be pretty vindictive.

[@Paraselene_Tao]

It's nice how often you reference Middle Eastern philosophers, because I know so little about that area's philosophy. I am roughly familiar with a Western ensemble and it's nice to see other folks pop up from areas of the world that I'm less familiar with. You are making me interested in obtaining a much more global perspective of philosophy. It took me several years to become familiar with the Western ensemble. I wonder how long it would take for me to become more familiar with our Eastern (Middle East and far-East alike), African, perhaps autochthonic American, and perhaps autochthonic Oceanic philosophies. The conversation about "what life and the universe is" is a very long and global conversation, and it is our responsibility to hear the fullest amount of the conversation that we can handle in one lifetime.

[@marinaaaa2735]

Oh my god I never thought I'd see this channel cover spinoza. This might be the only non philosophy video on spinoza on youtube.

[@Impericalevidence]

Philosophy is theologies hand Maiden.

[@artymowski]

Sycophants suck

[@MarvinMonroe]

Non philosophy? I'd say this channel is quite philosophical. Philosophy doesn't mean atheist only, Daniel Dennett type stuff. At least in my opinion it doesn't

[@waynemcleod6767]

@@Zeerich-yx9po Nietzsche.

[@hossamtarek2272]

I hope you are doing well, friends 🥰. As humans, we must worship the creator of the universe who made this life that is representing a test for us . So, I really liked to show the evidence of his existence Almighty. creator’s miracles in his book, the holy Quran, more than 1440 years ago: 1-the scientific miracles. (expansion of the universe, the chemical composition of humans, the front of the head function, the mountains functions as pegs, factor determines Gender, and etc.….) 2-historical and metaphysical miracles. 3- the numerical miracles. 4-the unmet challenge of bringing something like it. 5- the preservation of the Quran miracle and others. The prophet of Islam, Muhammed (may blessing and mercy of God be upon him) miracles: 1- the prophecies of his advent in the Bible and the Torah. 2- the historical miracles performed by him that we knew by narrators. 3- the metaphysical miracles and knowing some things in the future by the knowledge of the creator, and others. Logical proofs: 1- findings of the Religious comparisons. 2- Issues in the religions except for Islam. 3- The superiority of Islam over other religions to guarantee rights and the survival of life. 4- the innate of worshiping a god (mentioned in the Quran). 5-the illiteracy of the prophet of Islam and the Benefits of saying that this Qur’an is from him. 6- the vast logical proofs in the Quran. My beautiful friend, try to think about what I said. Then, ask our merciful creator to help and guide you to the right path, read the holy Quran, and see the links that illustrated a small piece of the evidence. Don’t hesitate to ask me any Question and to ask me for helping you in your search. thanks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIDSfquEbbaVo5I www.islamreligion.com/en/articles

[@willyh.r.1216]

To me Spinoza's God makes a lot of sense than any other personal or anthropomorphic Gods.

[@thatdude3977]

I believe in big tit anime God's

[@applesnicolle5144]

Willy how SAD for you & atheists who don’t have the love of Jesus! Christ came into the world & there’s Never been anything Bigger than He!

[@applesnicolle5144]

@Wally Reyes / Betcha you voted for sleepy Joe Biden right snowflake?

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

True!

[@marisvet8993]

@@applesnicolle5144 your Christianity is complete and utter heresy of true monotheism. have a good day.

[@gabrielleangelica1977]

All my favorite channels are converging into the ultimate synchronicity! 🔭📡

[@watchtowerwitch4426]

Philosophers are the greatest thinkers. This is a new concept. And a new channel discovery. I like it! Thanks!

[@messianic_scam]

they're all bullshitters living atheist and dying christian

[@radthadd]

@@messianic_scam lol

[@Faint366]

I disagree. Philosophers are great at one thing, creating definitions that are predisposed to proving their own ideology true rather than accurately describing the world we live in.

[@A_Realist]

Philosophers are agents of evil

[@coasterthrills2061]

@@A_Realist says who

[@keithgreen1096]

I think this is an excellent, very clear exposition of Spinoza's view of God/Nature/Substance. I especially like your clear, brief discussion of the pantheist-panentheist labels. I also loved your comparing and contrasting of Spinoza's view of God with the broadly anthropomorphic character of the God of living Abrahamic religions. I also think you correctly identify exactly what is, and is not, "radical" about Spinoza's view. Kudos!

[@TreThesk]

Love this video! For my part, Spinoza’s mastery also comes from the refined order of propositions and proofs, not just his conclusions abt God, reality, humankind etc. Totally not the focus of this channel, but I think the Euclidean origins of Ethics’ structure adds so much to the rigor of his arguments, and gives insight on why Spinoza has been so inspiring and dangerous thru history lol.

[@LeonGalindoStenutz]

And also another reason why his philosophy is so attractive in this scientific & digital age in which structured reason & patterned frameworks have great value. And also ... . potentially, a foundation for a genuine digital metaphysics, ontology, epistemology & ethic... . a possible bridge or nexus between tech, science, and philosophy ... . and almost certainly another building block, or better, strand of living DNA, for co-weaving emergent, robust textures of an ever-richer, more nuanced, 'lobalized' & 'glocalized', plectic, consilient, universal understanding of faith, gods, God, love, peace, myth, religion, spirit, spirituality, truth, and more ... Thanks so much Filip, wonderful.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Very interesting comment. Thank you. I have not given Spinoza a great deal of thought. I'm more drawn to phenomenology.

[@metsrus]

like other geniuses, Spinoza was way ahead of his time.

[@bismillahali7784]

And his moustache too

[@MultiSciGeek]

Quite the opposite. He was quite late to this party.

[@metsrus]

@@MultiSciGeek late to the party, how so? everyone during his time were still worshipping the Judeo Christian God, my man.

[@MultiSciGeek]

@@metsrus Umm no. Maybe in like 20% of the world. Also everyone? Not even close. This was the time of the enlightenment mah man. And late because his ideas are just a recycling of a bunch of older ideas, as explained in the video.

[@Impaled_Onion-thatsmine]

They were all geniuses, ahead of his time by 20 years, that's not that difficult that's the problem.

[@matsug5704]

This dudes Pronunciation of names and last names is everything I love about languages. :)

[@muqadasassad6118]

Spinoza is my favourite philosopher, so excited that you made a video about him.

[@fusion9619]

Why? What are you seeing that I'm missing?

[@RobespierreThePoof]

This is not a comment that I have heard often. And I'm a historian. I know philosophers. Care to elaborate? I'm curious.

[@IvanKaramazov-zv6mn]

You can read an introductory book by Gilles Deleuze: Spinoza: Practical Philosophy. It's a short read, will do him (Spinoza) better justice than giving an incoherent explanation since the ideas are built or rely upon one another. ​@@RobespierreThePoof

[@rabeeet]

This is among the best channels on KZbin. Thankyou! For such amazing content

[@phillipbrandel7932]

Impeccable timing for this video lol I just started a uni course on Spinoza's Ethics last week.

[@liammccann8763]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you so much for posting. From a Catholic doctrinal viewpoint, we believe that God is 'reflected' in His creation and that we are required to live in the world but be detached from it. It is also important for us Catholics to believe that the world that God created is not to be despised because it is evil but because it is good i.e because it is good we can become attached to it, rather than God and as a result it can lead to moral ruin. Ne timeas.

[@miguelatkinson]

I don't that's what leads to evil or moral ruin if your god would be aware of this predicament

[@liammccann8763]

@@miguelatkinson Unchanging, constant teaching of the Catholic Church, the Body of Christ. In hoc signo vinces +.

[@brianlinville439]

"The notion of God we typically had in the past was very anthropomorphic, we made " God , exactly like us, fickle, prone to mood swings, tantrums, sudden anger, prone to lay blame., jealous, wrath ful, vindictive etc.Instead? It is ,A process, all of nature and life make it up, an ever ongoing, evolving "happening". More of a verb, not a noun. not a " He or She".

[@joshdawson5201]

I mean, would Theists not argue that it’s the other way around, and it is us who are modelled off him?

[@sthamansinha243]

@@joshdawson5201 If we are then that God is not worth worshipping. You can choose to worship a Genocidal maniac. I certainly won't.

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Very true!

[@waynedombrowski7568]

Oh, what great things are here on this channel!!! You outdo yourself with every episode. How can such a seemingly 'fluffy' medium as KZbin be the conveyor of the weightiest of ideas?! I'm so glad that you've acknowledged the substantial overlap there has always been between Theology and Philosophy. I look foreward to Schopenhaur,whose pessimism I find ironically comical.(You may well have done it already). His love of animals as well as Eastern thought makes him my true kindred spirit.He's like my old pal. Keep doing what you're doing,dear friend!

[@RiyadhElalami]

You must be kidding me, I was just searching that in Arabic, within the same second I get you....... wow

[@Asilentlearner43]

The work of the universe is weird!

[@covalentbond7933]

Maybe the future affects the past, like you 'seeing' this video in the future somehow made you think about this topic in the past

[@karekarenohay4432]

The Angel of the Library.

[@flamixflame2685]

@@covalentbond7933 Huh?

[@covalentbond7933]

@@flamixflame2685 xD just based on the idea of the past-present-future existing simultaneously, maybe there's some spillage idk

[@kevinrombouts3027]

Well explained. Yes complex indeed. As a Christian I consider myself a panentheist, since there is no part of the cosmos in which God is not in residence. However, consciousness is necessarily personal in my view and teleological. I can see why people find Spinoza so troubling hard to deal with. However if there is any transcendent aspect to reality beyond the cosmos, which is non- contingent, then it has to be Spirit. The scriptures testify that God is Spurit and he who would worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth. By the way I'm not hung up on gender concerning God because I don't see anything between the legs of Spirit, male or female.

[@m.m6552]

Wonderfully explained. I myself share your views on God

[@thegreatcornholio7255]

Well, that'd kind of run into Leibniz's contingency argument, don't you think? If the universe is full of contingent features, and every single thing in the universe is contingent, and "the universe" is nothing more than a name we give to a collection of these things, then it must be explainable by something that itself is not contingent. How could God be the creator or explanation of the universe, if God is part of the universe? (I'm a much more traditional Christian, and find the arguments of people like Leibniz and St Aquinas much more convincing than Spinoza). There'd be very few Christians who would describe themselves as a pantheist, but wanted to get your take on how you think that is tenable. Thanks

[@canwelook]

@The Great Cornholio You say the universe MUST be explained by something that itself is non-contingent. How do you know? And if you theorise that your speculated god can be non-contingent, then why not the universe itself?

[@ralph1682]

You need to realy seek to know the true God not the god you created for yourself. There is reason Jesus Christ came as a man not woman. The same Bible you refer to says explicitly that Jesus Christ is the express image of God. Colossian 1.

[@labaker3477]

​@ralph1682 When it's time for women to write history, God will become a woman and birth a female christ🤷🏾‍♀️

[@zeyadalabdaly3393]

Great channel! I want to personally thank you for covering Middle Eastern philosophy, theology, and history. It means a lot to us that people are starting to recognize our contributions.

[@atheistpeace7579]

scientists have for countless years. hundreds

[@dbarker7794]

Thanks for this lesson Very helpful. Time to read Ethics again because it went over my head 40 years ago. And probably still will.

[@DivineSource444]

Yaay!!! Excellent!!!! Was waiting for this!! Thank you!!! 😃

[@theenclave4981]

Spinoza is one of my favorite philosophers. People always over look him for later philosophers such as Nietzche.

[@raygon8]

@@michaelgonzalez288 NIETZSCHE was the first cuckhold of the modern era

[@stellan8965]

to be fair Nietzche takes a lot of influence from Spinozas ethical system, the will to power is very similar to a lot of Spinozas prescriptions

[@raygon8]

@@stellan8965 Nietzche Beyond Good and Evil that ethical system ?

[@stellan8965]

@@raygon8 a lot of his writings, BGE included

[@mozartwolfgang4656]

You understand nothing good for Nietzsche being dissed by you.

[@ScenariosOfDrea]

Spinoza was Jewish actually and believed God was everywhere, and that he could find God anywhere. Which is considered more of a spiritual view today. Which makes a lot of sense.

[@theon9575]

Thanks for drawing attention to that. Spinoza's being Jewish, and growing up in Amsterdam within the Sephardic refugee culture with that traditional conception of God, is very significant as a context to understand the 'fermentation' ground for his thinking. The boy is the father of the man. Moreover, Spinoza's Sephardic Jewish ancestors were first expelled from Spain, and then fled the Portuguese Inquisition, because of these Jewish conceptions, which they sought to maintain by refusing to convert to Catholicism in Portugal, seeking refuge instead in the free-thinking Dutch Republic. Persecuted protestant Christian groups from England (the Pilgrims grouped as refugees in Amsterdam before the Mayflower set off from there to the New World) and France (the Huguenots) did the same. And other philosophers like Descartes and Locke, were attracted by the free press policies in 'Golden Age' Amsterdam. The rich city was both a magnet and a crucible for free and new ideas. In the cut and thrust of ideas in that context, for the young Jew Spinoza, fresh from Leiden University, his own developing ideas were really a logical consequence.

[@aditya234567]

nothing makes sense for me. this world is just random for me

[@nitimurinvetitum_]

@@aditya234567 same

[@voiceinthewild8385]

@@aditya234567 the fun part of this world is that it’s a big mystery.

[@davidzakaria8394]

@@aditya234567 I think that the complex order already points out to the intelligence that had established it. When you come to the room where the order is established, how do you know that it was put down by someone, especially if the order is the complex one? Very simple. The order already points out to the intelligence that had established it. Our world points out to the Intelligence that is out of space and time, transcendent and one, like in Islam, Prisca theologian or Deism. That's not a fact, but just my worldview. But anyway I'm going to like your comment))

[@thematrix7584]

Your content, the voice, the ambience, the art you use, the material which you explain is very enlightening and spiritual.....the aura which surrounds you emanates knowledge and peace..... You are truly making many of us leave relixion and embrace universal spiritual brotherhood and goodness..... Thank you for your excellent work.....

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Beautiful Naturalism! The God of Spinoza renders all religious texts inert lol

[@letsomethingshine]

Science/Empirical Study (the Spinoza skeptical/logical method, natural philosophy) does that against all the false religions. The God of Spinoza is just a good thought, not evidenced/falsifiable.

[@sirfin459]

@@letsomethingshine just as the eye cannot see the mechanism of itself, so too material instruments cannot see or be used to observe the source of it all, which is God. The concept of falsification. Is not applicable since it is only applicable to concepts, being a concept itself. God is beyond concepts as well as beyond existence and non existence.

[@MultiSciGeek]

No lol

[@christophercoey7804]

@@sirfin459 - On such terms, God becomes a catchall, a categorisation into which you can pour anything you wish to claim real according to your own a priori beliefs. Beyond science, beyond empiricism, beyond modern rationalisation. You may claim infinite substance, or modes or anything you like. Question: What do you do when falsification has already occured with a given definition of God? Spinoza's God is contradicted by Hubble-Lemaitre's law and what was correctly inferred from that by Lemaitre: That an expanding universe means a beginning, not a steady state universe ala Einstein or Hoyle etc. The infinite doesn't really play out very well in a finite universe. The CMB put the final nail in the coffin of a steady state universe. Also the infinite, how does that work in the context of the laws of thermodynamics? Also out of interest, but where does Spinoza get these ideas from in terms of his axioms? Are they simply revealed to him, in the same way a Pope is handed ex cathedra understanding/great wisdom directly from God or...? Hmmm of course he says no to such a notion. We shouldn't forget that Spinoza's God is not interested in the concerns of men. So given there is zero observational data, no empirical experiment, no rational logic, where do his axioms actually come from? Did he just guess at the nature of the universe? As in singular substance, all of which is God and infinite modes etc? It seems as plausible as tasting a candle to guess at the candle's nature ala Descartes. Then there is his determinism. As a determinist I would welcome him with open arms, but then he sees the world as existing in the only way it could. Well that doesn't fit with quantum mechanics, at all. So again another huge problem. Also couldn't be any different sounds an awful lot like extremely crude, mechanistic determinism. So he doesn't think that there are any choices to be made at all, no range of possible actions that are themselves shaped by cause and effect. He doesn't believe in a sophisticated, complex universe of cause and effect, where an immense number of inputs, and of people being both causes and effects, no he believes in the universe as a wound up clock, simply going through the inevitable motions as only it could. Hmmm. I give him a lot of credit given the time he was born into for very brave ideas, some radically so. But he cannot be taken seriously in the modern age. I guess Einstein didn't pay much attention to his claims re the universe either. He makes all kinds of claims that deny the reality of existence as it was already known in Einstein's time, including the odd statement that actually denies the nature of the periodic table and the workings of molecules.

[@alejandrovillalobos63]

See people commenting that he is misunderstood? A god? Who went about having its followers write books? And is all powerful? Who is immaterial yet we have claims of people claiming it’s materializations wether they be from the sky or miracles? Yes very mysterious. Just like Santa clause and how he gets around the world too.

[@Spinoza-ethics-5]

Time is in a one way direction. You can’t rewind, pause, replay or fast forward the time. The future already exists. The connection of events is the same as the connection of ideas. There is only one past, one now, and one future. Everything that happens in the Universe is followed from prior events and causes. In so far human is part of nature, they do not have free will. Human is determined to be ignorant and react to emotions with stronger emotions. Fear is the mother of all emotions.

[@fabiankempazo7055]

The definition of Panentheism matches pretty well my position between pantheism and monotheism. I definetly believe in a metaphysical "god" existing also outside of space-time (aka this universe) and that it penetrates the whole universe and all essence.

[@canwelook]

Beliefs are a dime a dozen. Reasons for beliefs are far more important and informative.

[@danix4883]

I love this view, personally I’m a christian so I believe in the God we believe in but I agree with this as well

[@tomjohn8733]

I agree with Spinoza, just never realized it until now, thank you, !!

[@borisnahalka3027]

I applaud Spinosa. I don't care personally about God or an idea of God, but what Spinosa did was: he made God bigger and much more significant than this geographically stuck, provisional God interfering with human affairs throughout history. Spinosa got very close to Yogig understanding of God as a source of all manifestation/creation and its connection, meaning God is an essence of all manifestations and without this essence, nothing can exist. what he missed is the way how to get reunited with this essence. from the source, through the manifestation back to the source. that is what Yoga teachings (if it is an authentic Yoga) are all about.

[@dorareynolds5304]

Yoga will lead you away from God

[@iansarmiento5991]

@@dorareynolds5304 Yahweh is a false and weak god. Plato's cosmic world soul is the designer

[@dorareynolds5304]

@@iansarmiento5991 you are so very wrong and there is no weakness in taking the sins of the world on a cross for all mankind including those that reject him….reconsider your words and repent before it’s to late he is also a forgiving God

[@MyDemon32]

​@@dorareynolds5304sorry madam but your god is trash.

[@sirilandgren]

Tack så mycket! Spinoza is so fascinating, the perfect bridge to religion for someone who's a fan of contemporary theoretical physics. :)

[@AztlanOz]

I loved how he thought, these ideas have well filtrated into my consciousness 🙏

[@jonathansturm4163]

Lovely! Many long years ago I had a several days long conversation with a cop in an Australian outback town. Most of what he talked about was Spinoza’s philosophy and he made a lot of sense at the time. That might have had something to do with the beer :-) It’s only recently that I began his “Ethics” and yes, it seems difficult to follow. Thanks for your clarifications here. Very much appreciated...

[@williamkarle976]

A cop in an Australian outback town with a better than average knowledge of Spinoza. Isn't it beautiful how learning appears in the unlikeliest places and among the unlikeliest people? Long live the liberal arts!

[@TheRealTomWendel]

So far in my understanding, I surmise that Spinoza not only considered nature and God one and the same, but also that he considered the Universe and God one and the same. This interpretation reconciled with the developing understanding in theoretical physics that all matter and energy (the universe) are connected through a web in which all elements are part of a great whole. Having said that, however, I’m planning to read “Ethics” again with that specific notion in mind. Thanks for this well done coherent presentation!

[@Nozarks1]

These videos cover all the important aspects of a topic in such short time, and save me hours of reading. Thanks so much.

[@charlesandrews2360]

These videos actually stimulate me to read more. But I know what you mean. I have a difficult time getting through philosophy books. Same thing with books on religion sometimes

[@conradambrossi738]

Loved it! Great presentation on his philosophy:)

[@MichaelSmith-fh4rn]

Extremely well said and thought out! Thank you, so much.

[@xHaniffax]

I can't tell you how much these analysis videos help to clarify my own thoughts.

[@hspahiu]

I can't wait for a video on Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's theology. Really appreciate the channel and the work you are doing.

[@ajfernandez5679]

Bro, Just... Wow. You sir are gifted, and blessed to say the least. Thank you for your interpretation of such complex wisdom. 🙏☯️

[@stefanpolihronopoulos723]

I studied philosophy in college, but this vid reminded me of whence my world view arose. Going on 70 now, I forgot about Spinoza's place in my own spiritual and philosophical evolution - including forays into the world views of aboriginal/indigenous peoples around the world.

[@god8345]

Wait this sounds incredibly similar to Vedic concept of Brahman

[@st.mephisto8564]

Beautiful

[@sirfin459]

Not necessarily. Depends on which Vedic philosophy you follow. There various schools of philosophy, carvaka, vaisheshika, nyaya, Vedanta(sub schools such as Advaita, Vishishtadvaita or Dvaita), Shaiva Siddhanta, Kashmiri Saivism, etc etc.

[@sirfin459]

@@aarushsai2880 that concept doesn't exist in certain vedic philosophies such as Sankhya or Purva Mimansa. It is a Vedantic, Shaiva, Vaishnav or Shakta concept.

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

It's the non-theistic alternative

[@NoThing-ec9km]

Exactly

[@zeeshanahmad-qp2wu]

Excellent work. Made Spinosa theory of God crystal clear. very close to mysticism.

[@Urgeistphilosophie]

clearly not if u call his god mystical

[@chazvalvo2840]

After watching the video then reading through the comments I pleasantly found that this video drew very interesting and brilliantly minded people mostly in one accord, something that we just don't see all that often in today's world. Thank you all for being part of the solution.

[@BaskingInObscurity]

Funny you bring up Cosmos, because all through the video up to then I'd found extremely similar Spinoza's God and Sagan's definition of the Cosmos as he states it in the eponymous television series. It's also right there in line with my own regard of the universe as being multifaceted aspects of one, but without any sort of deification or self-awareness of the grand unity, nor beforeness (imo a near-universal hangup of creatures sensorily bounded by time [well, that's another discussion (-: ] ) Spinoza was one of those philosophers I missed out on reading/studying, so I really appreciate your distillation here. It's not just interesting but relevant for me on several counts, one of which is being a nature-loving intellectual atheist raised among relatives practicing various fundamentalist Christian belief systems.

[@TheAtarashiiKaze]

You explained this quite well. Thank you for sharing your research and knowledge!

[@callmefletcher]

Amazing! This is all new to me. I'm going to need to do some research! Thanks for the video.

[@balleballey]

i got to know about him from swami sarvpriyananda in his lectures on advaita vednata(bramhan) at vedant newyork and IIT kanpur's vivekananda smiti.

[@Thetherian-h5c]

Thanks man. I love leaving you talks with more wonder then when I started the video. Beautiful.

[@EsquedaDouble]

Einstein's poem actually wasn't bad

[@no_special_person]

3:50 just a timestamp for when I come back, great channel btw

[@WataroNagata]

I read the ethics before reverting to islam and becoming a sufi, I identified on what he wrote and found a place in sufism

[@oldgolfer9658]

Extremely well presented... especially for a novice, like me. Keep up the great work.

[@flovv4580]

"God is not a being who judges or cares about what you eat or how you pray. He doesn't even create the world willingly, but trough the necessity of his nature." Beautiful said! ❤

[@osirish8202]

Another excellent video. I especially enjoyed the different perspectives that you presented instead of trying to fit him into a box.

[@antoniocope5877]

Spinoza's God does not substract anything from my conventional understanding of God as handed down to me by my ancestors. On the contrary, Spinoza's God widens my limited perception of the God i worship and to whom i pray. Espinoza's God made me feel spiritually richer and even more tolerant of all believers and non-believers.

[@Kamisama77]

In fact, its actually against abrahamic religions.

[@miguelatkinson]

This goes against alot of abramanic religions

[@ralphdavis9670]

He paid a great price for his ideas. He helped free us all.

[@LuisAldamiz]

Ditto.

[@eduardocastaneda9476]

What did he free you from?

[@Nozarks1]

I felt that way about Nietzsche. I believe Nietzsche was influenced by Spinoza.

[@ralphdavis9670]

@@eduardocastaneda9476 He opened the world of knowledge to us all. One could be a doctor, a jurist, a free thinker, not just a robotic chanter of psalms.

[@hossamtarek2272]

I hope you are doing well, friends 🥰. As humans, we must worship the creator of the universe who made this life that is representing a test for us . So, I really liked to show the evidence of his existence Almighty. creator’s miracles in his book, the holy Quran, more than 1440 years ago: 1-the scientific miracles. (expansion of the universe, the chemical composition of humans, the front of the head function, the mountains functions as pegs, factor determines Gender, and etc.….) 2-historical and metaphysical miracles. 3- the numerical miracles. 4-the unmet challenge of bringing something like it. 5- the preservation of the Quran miracle and others. The prophet of Islam, Muhammed (may blessing and mercy of God be upon him) miracles: 1- the prophecies of his advent in the Bible and the Torah. 2- the historical miracles performed by him that we knew by narrators. 3- the metaphysical miracles and knowing some things in the future by the knowledge of the creator, and others. Logical proofs: 1- findings of the Religious comparisons. 2- Issues in the religions except for Islam. 3- The superiority of Islam over other religions to guarantee rights and the survival of life. 4- the innate of worshiping a god (mentioned in the Quran). 5-the illiteracy of the prophet of Islam and the Benefits of saying that this Qur’an is from him. 6- the vast logical proofs in the Quran. My beautiful friend, try to think about what I said. Then, ask our merciful creator to help and guide you to the right path, read the holy Quran, and see the links that illustrated a small piece of the evidence. Don’t hesitate to ask me any Question and to ask me for helping you in your search. thanks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIDSfquEbbaVo5I www.islamreligion.com/en/articles

[@dcterr1]

I really like Spinoza's ideas about God, and mine are very similar. I believe that God is the Multiverse, i.e., our universe and all other possible universes, i.e., all logically consistent mathematical structures (Max Tegmark's level-4 multiverse). As such, God doesn't really do anything, but we're all part of Him. But I also believe in spirits, i.e. conscious beings like us, and that spirits have free will to make decisions, which ultimately guides them through the Multiverse. Thus, the key to living a good life is to exercise our free will in the right way, i.e., to make decisions that benefit both ourselves and everyone else as much as possible, which I would call being good. But according to my definition, God doesn't care what any of us does since whatever we could possibly do is already part of Him. So the takeaway from all this is that God doesn't care what we do, but WE should!

[@azamcangame5253]

God is "Ghani" and we are "Fukara", This is the Islamic point of view, Hope it helps.

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Ok

[@Endrin911]

​​@@azamcangame5253 Monotheistic gods are more like dictators and their personalities differ a lot from that of 'God of Spinosa'. Spinoza's god doesn't interfere people's life.

[@endpc5166]

I never could understand how Spinoza could expect anyone to actually _love_ such an abstract, aloof creator who doesn't care about us in particular, doesn't feel for us in any personal way. Similar for Thomas Aquinas whose god he abstracted into pure act of existence, and was truly awful in that he wanted heretics to be burned.

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Only an infantile mind desires such things, or the "masses" as he would call them.

[@KeithPluas]

I actually liked Einstein's poem. How is it not so good? It's beautiful! Truly interesting video!

[@yqafree]

Excellent descriptions for Spinoza

[@walterramirezt]

Spinoza's God and metaphysics is much relevant because it's a point of departure for many contemporary Philosophical currents

[@audiophilear698]

Thank you for this wonderful video. I would suggest if you are interested to do one about krishnamurti, it is not about the man but about the ideas he presented on how to make the world a better place. I think his teachings are of something totally new to the common man. If you understand what he was trying to say, you will understand the belief of monism. As people can not understand these ideas where the self image exists in them. I am sure you will be very interested in them

[@Brough1111]

This guy is great, thanks for bringing me into the light of knowledge, not a lot of comments

[@simesaid]

It should be noted that it was very difficult (and doubtless practically impossible in many circumstances) for learned people such as Spinoza and his contemporaries to describe the world **without** invoking the name of "God".

[@Jesus_Christ_loves_you_alot]

Hi there! Jesus Christ loves you. He is the only way to heaven. May God bless you! 😊 Jesus says to you today: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

[@kpllc4209]

As close to the truth as philosophy (or theology) has ever gotten

[@skwozies3083]

Right.

[@Bruh-el9js]

I mean, most of what he said has been said before, read Hermes or Meister Eckhart

[@kpllc4209]

@@Bruh-el9js It has been said for thousands of years but not laid out so precisely and logically

[@Bruh-el9js]

@@kpllc4209 I disagree but it's fine

[@tyler-qr5jn]

How are you say its as close the truth, as if you know the truth to measure his philosophy against it?

[@peterchaloner2877]

Why God could not have minded his own business (in Perfection) and not bothered Creating, is a question I have pondered for 65 years, since I was seven. Still awaiting an answer.

[@Endrin911]

​@Muhammad Faizan Jawed Spinosa's god doesn't k/i/ll nor send people to hell for not believing him. This differs from your celestial dictators (of monotheisms).

[@Horsewoman725]

I see strong shades of Advaita Vedanta in Spinoza’s God concept. This really speaks to me.

[@Endrin911]

Sati and caste system of Spinoza's god?

[@Horsewoman725]

@@Endrin911 the underlying concept - advaita vedanta did not endorse Sati or Caste system- Kindly educate yourself and do not speak in generalizations

[@exincident]

Thank you so much for explaining the God Of Spinoza . Though I wasn't a student of Philosophy in my early life. But now I'm intrigued and really wanna dig it out . Your channels has so far been proved a great source of exploring philosophies.

[@greggvillanueva1291]

Spinoza is revived in our times by Gilles Deleuze through his differential reading. I really sympathize with the suffering of Spinoza all through out the persecution and ostracization by his co-religionists. His genius was gravely affected by religious bigotry. His greatest contribution in religion is his biblical hermeneutics that liberates me from biblical fundamentalism. His idea about god is aptly expressed by saying that god complicates nature and nature explicates/implicates god. Spinoza is the greatest onto-ethologist.

[@ayazpalekar1575]

is his idea of everything combined together being God, the same as Ibn Arabi's ideas of unity of being?

[@cango5679]

seems so. to me.

[@CanalPanendithas]

I tend to think it's not, given that ibn arabi drew aspects from plato which spinoza would very strongly disagree

[@gash_box]

It seems so but Ibn Arabi heavily focuses on the imaginative aspect of unity. Spinoza denies that aspect and focuses more on the intellect. Like Ibn Arabi would say that within the mind, there is God which is everything, Spinoza would say that God is everything and each thing contains his essence and learning about things and how Substances has come to us in the form of modes will help us understand God. In short, to oversimplify, Spinoza is very outward looking while Ibn Arabi is inward looking. Just my opinion though.

[@brahimilyes681]

Yeah, but it's more mathematical. He doesn't just say "Being is one". He uses axioms from which he derives most of his other conclusions, using a format similiar to Euclid's Elements. So, for example, he says God is infinite. Therefore everything is God. Because if anything is outside God, then that thing will present a limitation to God, something which God is not. So, he says, God/Nature is everything.

[@devanshrathore9112]

@@brahimilyes681 If the universe itself is God then I don't see why we need to call it God. Also, did Spinoza think that the universe was 'created' by God? Because that seems paradoxical if everything is God.

[@wjscott9]

Really enjoyed this video. Many deep thanks from one small particle of God to another. Separation is an illusion.🙏

[@jaybristowe2346]

His way of thinking sounds very hermetic in nature :)

[@batfink274]

Wow that was awesome. Thank you very much for bringing this man and his philosophies so eloquently to my attention. Very much appreciate it the trouble you've taken.

[@walnoemispoyt5604]

Hahahahahaha at the end of the poem you rhymed with "I'll see you next time" that was funny, smart and I'm willing to bet unintentional but a happy surprise.

[@arikking5893]

I love spinoza, just finished his ethics last month❤️beautiful book

[@sriharshacv7760]

In the beginning, I thought this was another channel as was about to suggest adding a mention of "Let's talk religion" channel in addition to "Seekers of unity" mentioned in the video.

[@Larrypint]

German philosophy from romantik period and from Sturm and drang... Also very interesting topic for another video.

[@amarkantasthana]

Good to see resurrection of the legacy of one of the greatest philisopher Spinoza.

[@anikixvi]

Thank you!!!!! I just started Philosphy as a premaster due mainly to your and your channels influence, and now I'm struck with required reading of SPinoza's Ethics and it scared me a little 😅 But now I think I can jump back in with some understanding 🥰

[@mariahholden2088]

what’s a pre-master?

[@erichstocker8358]

A well reasoned presentation about Spinoza and his beliefs. I think it is important not to assume that we understand all the aspects of his thoughts. However, you identified a key aspect of his god--god is not a personal, human-like being who cares what we as people do.

[@tyamada21]

A piece from a new book titled: Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within... Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave. The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist. For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment. The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing. The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlie all spiritual and physical existence. The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law which allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists. Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’. On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication. For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything. NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us. To understand the meaning of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo even more, I sincerely recommend that you read Tina Turner's new book: Happiness Becomes You. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIOYdZenn7KrnaM Let go, and let God - Olivia Newton-John Nam Myoho Renge Kyo Let go, and let God - Olivia Newton-John Nam Myoho Renge Kyo www.youtube.com

[@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts]

I'm not sure that calling him an atheist is even slightly accurate. Pretty much everything other than that yes, but how does a man who commands love of God count as atheist?

[@billymoran3138]

It is because of his definition of God. If what he is commanding his love to does not fit within your conception of God, then he might be as good as an Atheist to you.

[@drcoco2k]

Many people falsey equate irreligion to Atheism. Spinoza ain't an Atheist.

[@Larrypint]

@@drcoco2k he isn't atheist but he has no religion and was against religious laws.

[@mozartwolfgang4656]

He was not an atheist

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Spinoza appears to be an atheist to some since he considers all religious beliefs to be mere superstition, that alone was enough for the people of his day to consider him an atheist

[@Magik1369]

Truth crushes the worldview, paradigm, and egos of those that cling to the dogmas and anthropomorphic projections of their 2nd and 3rd hand religious traditions and egoic belief systems. One must challenge and question everything to realize the Divine.

[@nancyhope2205]

Spinoza is my favourite so far, in my explorations, alongside Heraclitus. When I read his ideas I was happily surprised and found myself easily imagining some of his worldview.

[@Jesus_Christ_loves_you_alot]

Hi there! Jesus Christ loves you. He is the only way to heaven. With Him you'll never be truly lonely. He is the best friend you can have. May God bless you! 😊 Jesus says to you today: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

[@DerekPK]

My Lord is Jesus Christ, and I just regret sinning.

[@DerekPK]

Jesus Christ my Lord forever

[@nancyhope2205]

@@DerekPK spare me. I really have no interest in this posturing.

[@xamanikia13]

I was following Spinozas god all along

[@sadiestoltzfus9798]

I only realized I feel the same as Spinoza. But it really is not complicated. There is a creator. Because nothing in our solar system or universe that is random. I am comfortable in the fact God exists in all nature. God is all around us but does not intervene in human nature. God does not control the weather. The bible is written by humans not God.

[@wataboutya9310]

@@sadiestoltzfus9798 I do not disagree, but one has to wonder why literally billions of people throughout the ages have and still do believe in what the Bible teaches?

[@Endrin911]

​@@sadiestoltzfus9798 Spinoza's god isn't a celestial dictator like monotheistic gawds. Its very clear but you can't see it. Just saying.

[@cosmohelix]

Quite a few similarities between the Vedantic schools of thought and Spinoza's work

[@Oatmeal_Mann]

To me, thinking about God the way Spinoza did is the ultimate freedom. By believing in such a God, one can never doubt His existence, but is still free to question whether this God has spiritual qualities or if He is soley material. His qualities become the only consideration and the question of of His existence is completely irrelevant; discarded; committed unto the flames. Also I love how this has parallels to Brahman within Vedanta, Wahdat al-Wujud, the Dao, the One in Neoplatonism etc. I have yet to find a philosopher that I am more fond of than Spinoza.

[@LAGoff]

How can you be fond of an impersonal God? He (It) isn't fond of you.

[@Jamhael1]

@@LAGoff and that is the point: why bother? We already live in the most complex "mechanism" ever existent, with a mind capable of understanding, learning and logic, and falls on each one of us to understand such mechanisms for the betterment of all, making the matter of religion completely irrelevant.

[@LAGoff]

@@Jamhael1 I would like you to rephrase (rewrite) your comment because I did not understand any of it.

[@Jamhael1]

@@LAGoff let me explain: The "god" of Spinoza DOES NOT HAVE a specific religion to follow and/or compare, nor possess a set of commandments, dogmas or even rules concerning morality. The "god" of Spinoza is only noticed by the scientific workings of Existence (or "Creation", if you will), making "it" more close to an incredibly intelligent scientist than a typical "sky-father" figure of traditional religions. This leaves the matter of morality and good in our (Humanity's) hands, making the need of understanding the mechanisms of Existence - put in the form of the Sciences like Mathemathics, Physics, Medicine, Architecture, etc - the best way to not only improve our lives, but also to understand "god" (that Spinoza correlated with "Knowledge"). This reaches the conclusion: you can only love the things of Existence for they are the things closest to your reach and understanding, but by loving them, you are loving "god" having the things of Existence as a mix between "intermediaries" and "reflections". You cannot understand "god" for it is too transcendent for our minds to comprehend or even define in specific and concrete ways, but by studying Science, you can comprehend the mechanisms that "god" designed and uses to "create" and keep Existence functioning, and also use such knowledge to better the lives and understanding of all. Did I make myself clear? Sorry if I "overcomplicated" the matter.

[@LAGoff]

@@Jamhael1 Loved your reply. Is this your take on Spinoza, or did he actually say these things?-- I mean about loving 'god' through understanding science. If he did, (and I'd like 'chapter and verse') it sounds to me like 'god' wants us to engrace this world through science, which sounds like something -- a project -- a personal God would desire us to do.

[@Larry000]

Rare insight, honesty and courage.

[@radu921000]

uhmm....that poem is actually great. especially for someone who was not a writer. thank you for this great video.

[@andrewyam7938]

Spinoza's God seems to be the same concept as Brahman or Dao. These ideas would not have been at all controversial in India or China of that time

[@grassystars]

I'm not so sure about Brahman. Not that well versed in Vedic philosophy, but if I'm not mistaken, Brahman has a very clear bias and was very easily politicized and morphed into the semi-organized religious order that emerged in the Indian subcontinent. Brahman is a rather distinct entity theologically, unlike the seemingly-decentralized approach that Spinoza and Taoism follows, afaik. I don't think you can see that happening much with Spinoza's God or the Dao.

[@TheUltimateSeeds]

Setting aside his *"one substance"* theory (of which I think is spot-on), the problem with Spinozan philosophy is that it doesn't seem to offer any sort of ultimate and eternal purpose for humans as individuals. What I mean is that if God does not possess any kind of "personal" (self-aware) identity that resides in a higher context of reality, then neither can any of us reside in a higher context of reality. Therefore, Spinoza's philosophy seems to be nothing more than *materialism* and *nihilism* dressed-up in spiritual-sounding verbiage.

[@cyber5659]

Spinoza was heavily influenced by the Stoics and Determinism. We are but one part of a cosmic drama which unfolds, since we have no free will according to him our purpose is predestined by God. The conclusion is Nietzschean in a way, Amor fati or Loving Fate is Loving God (Even though the love is predestined aswell)

[@StrawberrySoul77]

@@cyber5659 Maybe we are in a simulation where there are some predestined choices to make.

[@masoodsarfi1169]

can you make a video about mullasadra. he is realy big here in iran replacing abi sina

[@waynedombrowski7568]

Respect,admiration and affection to Iran from this U.S.A. citizen. The ignorant and small-minded can't run things forever,Masood. P.S. - I'll be reading up on Mullasadra.

[@joshuahernandez3216]

I don’t think he’s wrong. I grew up Christian, I’ve kind of always thought the way he thinks, but not the same. I think God does care, but Spinoza thinks the way I think in so many way. I have never heard God speak to me in my ears, but maybe God does guide me. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of Spinoza.

[@Otoño24]

Very concisely explained summary on Spinoza's interpretation of God. Thank you for sharing.

[@Jesus_Christ_loves_you_alot]

Hi there! Jesus Christ loves you. He is the only way to heaven. May God bless you! 😊 Jesus says to you today: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28