Spinoza's Understanding of Faith in His Theological-Political Treatise

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  • 『神学・政治論』におけるスピノザの信仰理解
  • シンガク セイジロン ニ オケル スピノザ ノ シンコウ リカイ

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Abstract

This paper considers the understanding of faith in the works of Baruch de Spinoza (1632-1677). According to Spinoza, faith is a matter only of revealed cognition. Moreover, faith signifies "being obedient to God." He also insists, in his Theological-Political Treatise, that faith and act are in a circulatory relationship. That is, obedience is not established if a person is ignorant of faith, and faith is not established if obedience is not established, act proves "one's faith" or "obedience to God." Although act is established by faith, faith is proved only by act. This relation of circulation does not merely exist objectively. In order for a human being to be saved, this relation of circulation ought to be newly produced unremittingly through one's belief in a covenant with God and living subjectively within this circulation. The impetus of the human being to live in this circulation is none other than conatus as "the endeavours to persevere in its own being." The basis of the faith that Spinoza presents is love of God for human beings, and the object of faith is God. In short, the source of act to prove faith is conatus originating from God.

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