Kartezjusz i Spinoza. Linie rozwojowe spinozyzmu na podstawie analizy porównawczej 'Medytacji o pierwszej filozofii' oraz 'Etyki w porządku geometrycznej dowiedzionej'

Abstract

The dissertation makes an attempt to compare two perspectives: a perspective which can be found in Descartes’ Meditations and that observed in Spinoza’s Ethics. In conclusion, the dissertation claims that that Spinozaean and Cartesian conceptions differ significantly. Descartes considered a reform of the sciences to be the fundamental task of philosophy. The main areas of his interests were metaphyscial and epistemological issues. Conversely, Spinoza recognized ethical and antropological aspects to be the most important questions. Spinoza’s Ethics is an interpretation of happiness, which every human being strives for. Unlike Descartes, for whom the cogito was distinguished and contrasted with the surrounding world, Spinoza restored man to nature. The concept of human thinking which he proposed was entirely different from the idea of mind offered by Descartes. For Spinoza, thinking is not attributed exclusively to man. It is a universal quality which relates to the whole of nature. It has nothing to do with the distinct state of being human. But the conception developed by Spinoza is one of the most important propositions pointing to the outstanding role of human nature. Only man, by means of the knowledge of the third kind, in which he deals with true ideas, can achieve complete happiness. If that is the case, the difference between the philosophy of Descartes and that of Spinoza does not seem to be so great. However, it must be remembered that the fact that Spinoza tried to solve Cartesian difficulties determines the difference in the intellectual intentions of both thinkers.