Philosophize This! Episode #034 ... Spinoza pt. 2 - Force of Nature
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Sep 2, 2014 Dive into the mind of Spinoza as we tackle his intriguing concept of God and whether a bulldog fits into the divine puzzle. Explore the idea of 'substance' and what Spinoza believes is the only true substance—spoiler alert: it's not H2O! The conversation turns to how God and nature intertwine and how this affects our notion of free will. With a humorous twist, we reflect on a relatable anecdote about uncontrollable urges triggered by familiar sights. It’s a philosophical journey filled with surprising insights!
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God's Infinitude
- Spinoza's concept of an infinite God raises questions about the existence of things outside of God.
- If God is truly infinite, everything, including seemingly separate entities like Stephen's dog Charlie, must be a part of God.
Substance
- Spinoza, like Descartes, explored the concept of substance, but refined its definition.
- He posited that substance is that which explains its own existence, unlike contingent things that rely on external factors.
iPhone Example
- Stephen uses the example of an iPhone to illustrate Spinoza's point about substance.
- An iPhone's existence can't be explained solely by its own nature; it relies on external concepts like communication and data processing.