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Spinoza’s Early Death And Work
- Spinoza died in 1677 at age forty-four, likely from lung disease linked to lens grinding.
- His major work, the Ethics, was published only after his death.
Death Is Final In Nature
- Spinoza holds death is final: no heaven, hell, or afterlife exists for persons.
- We are finite parts of nature and should therefore not fear nonexistence after death.
Fear Of Afterlife Undermines Freedom
- Obsession with afterlife leads to irrational passions that consume present life.
- Spinoza warns such fears make people politically and socially vulnerable to religious authorities.