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Spinoza on Individuals and Individuation: Metaphysics, Morals, and Politics Matthew Ad Vid Wion Marquette University

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Spinoza on Individuals and Individuation: Metaphysics, Morals, and Politics Matthew Ad Vid Wion Marquette University Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations (2009 -) Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Projects Spinoza on Individuals and Individuation: Metaphysics, Morals, and Politics Matthew aD vid Wion Marquette University Recommended Citation Wion, Matthew David, "Spinoza on Individuals and Individuation: Metaphysics, Morals, and Politics" (2011). Dissertations (2009 -). Paper 145. http://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/145 SPINOZA ON INDIVIDUALS AND INDIVIDUATION: METAPHYSICS, MORALS, AND POLITICS by Matthew D. Wion, B.A., M.A. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 2011 ABSTRACT SPINOZA ON INDIVIDUALS AND INDIVIDUATION: METAPHYSICS, MORALS, AND POLITICS Matthew D. Wion, B.A., M.A. Marquette University, 2011 This dissertation examines Spinoza's position regarding the relationship of the individual to the community and to other individuals in the context of a particular reading of Spinoza's metaphysics as holistic. By the term “holistic metaphysics,” I refer to Spinoza's view of reality as a unified whole rather than as a collection of entirely separate parts. The latter I call a “reductionistic metaphysics.” If a reductionistic metaphysics tends to see individuals as essentially separate and only secondarily relational, a holistic metaphysics pictures individuals as primarily relational and only by means of their relations capable of any meaningful “separateness” from other individuals. The reading advanced here concludes that Spinoza holds that individuals cannot ultimately be separated from the larger environment and network of relationships of which they are always a part. This dissertation concludes with brief set of reflections on the potential implications of this “relational” understanding of individuals in the realms of morals and politics. How Spinoza might view the issue of “universal health care” in the context of his holistic metaphysics is singled out for specific consideration. i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Matthew Wion, B.A., M.A. This dissertation would not have been possible without my dissertation committee Dr. Michael Wreen, Dr. Lee Rice, Dr. Timothy Crockett, and Dr. William Starr. These gentlemen worked with me rigorously, patiently, carefully, and always with grace and understanding. Apart from their kindness, knowledge, and discipline, this dissertation could never have been written. I am more grateful to these four professors than my words could ever convey. I wish to thank Dr. Rice in particular among my readers. Dr. Rice agreed to read my dissertation as an emeritus professor, truly going above and beyond the call of duty. He displayed great patience with me in my first flawed attempts at writing it. I have benefited immensely from his intellectual guidance, superb scholarship, impressive knowledge, and warm friendship during my entire program of doctoral studies at Marquette University. I would also like to express my sincere debt to Dr. Steven Barbone of San Diego State University. Dr. Barbone first introduced me to Spinoza many years ago at SDSU. His mentorship and guidance made it possible for me to attend graduate school and complete a Ph. D. in philosophy. He has always been there to offer advice, lend an ear, and provide encouragement and support. I would like to thank my family and friends above all for all the love and support that they have given me over the years: to my parents for supporting me emotionally, ethically, intellectually, and financially not only throughout my years of graduate study, ii but my entire life; to my brother Doug and my sister Caitlin for always being there when I need them; to Jason Parker, Arun Iyer, and Earl Cookson for not only lending me the love and support of true friends, but the thoughtful and critical ear of fellow philosophers. Among my friends I give special thanks to Daniel Esposito. Dan graciously assisted me with issues of grammar, mechanics, and formatting throughout the writing of this dissertation. Without his tireless and generous assistance, this dissertation would be far less than it is. I would also like to thank Rosa Vargas for offering me advice and guidance on MLA format. This list of acknowledgments would not be complete without expressing my debt of gratitude to my wife Erica Wion for her love, affection, kindness, and willingness to marry me. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................... i LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................... v INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER I. OUTLINE OF SPINOZA'S METAPHYSICS…………………………………………………................ 4 The Central Metaphysical Concepts………………………………………………………….… 4 Spinoza's Theory of Distinctions……………………………………………………........ 16 Spinoza's Metaphysical Holism................................................................................................ 36 II. SPINOZA'S INDIVIDUALS AND PROBLEMS WITH HIS ACCOUNT.................................................................................................... 46 Cartesian Physics............................................................................... 47 Spinoza on Minds and Bodies................................................................................................ 51 Spinoza's Physics............................................................................... 56 Organism and Teleonomy......................................................................................... 64 III. INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY.............................................................................................. 72 Matheron's Contribution...................................................................................... 73 Spinoza's Theory of the State................................................................................................... 82 iv The State as an Individual.................................................................. 91 The State as a Metaphorical Individual ……………………….…… 95 Rice's Contribution............................................................................. 101 IV. EGOISM IN THE CONTEXT OF RELATION AND AUTONOMY ................................................................................................ 105 Curley's Case for Spinoza as Egoist.................................................................................................. 109 Bennett on Spinoza's Egoism................................................................................................ 117 Feminist Readings of Spinoza's Individuals.......................................................................................... 120 Armstrong's Contribution................................................................... 125 Spinoza on Friendship and Love.................................................................................................... 132 Rice on Spinoza's Radical Individualism...................................................................................... 137 V. SOME CLOSING NOTES ON THE POLITICAL AND MORAL IMPLICATIONS OF SPINOZA'S THEORY Of INDIVIDUALS.............................................................................................. 142 Spinoza and Health Care Coverage.............................................................................................. 153 BIBLIOGRAPHY...................................................................................................... 161 v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Works by Spinoza: CM – Metaphysical Thoughts E – Ethics (followed by arabic numeral for part and internal references) Ep – Letter (followed by arabic numeral) KV – Short Treatise (Korte Verhandeling) PPC – Principles of Cartesian Philosophy TP – Political Treatise (TP 1/2 is Chapter 1, Paragraph 2) TTP – Theological-Political Treatise (TTP 1/2 is Chapter 1, Paragraph 2) Works by Descartes: CSM – The Philosophical Writings of Descartes. Eds. J. G. Cottingham, R. Stoothoff, and D. Murdoch (Followed by volume and page number with parallels to Adam and Tannery texts) AT – Oeuvres de Descartes. Eds. C. Adam and P. Tannery (provided as parallel texts to CSM) Internal References for the Ethics: a – Appendix to E4 (followed by a number, e.g. E4a17) APP – Appendix (with the exception of the appendix to E4) Ax – Axiom Cor – Corollary Def – Definition Dem – Demonstration lemma – Lemma P – Propositions Pref – Preface Schol – Scholium Note on Translations: The English translations of Spinoza are those of Samuel Shirley unless specifically stated otherwise. The English translations of Descartes are taken from CSM volumes. Translations of Matheron and Zac are my own. 1 Introduction Spinoza speaks often of individuals. Indeed, the well-being of a particular set of individuals, namely human individuals, is the principal focus of his philosophy. Naturally we expect such a systematic philosopher as Spinoza to provide a theory about what, precisely, an individual is. This expectation is bound to be present with regard to any philosopher who stresses the importance of individuals. For Spinoza, however, the problem is particularly acute, for he famously argues that there is only one substance, one self-existent being. If there is only one substance, it seems to follow that there is only one individual. Since
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