Christoph Wittich's Anti-Spinoza

TY - JOUR

T1 - Christoph Wittich's Anti-Spinoza

AU - Douglas, Alexander

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - This article examines an early refutation of Spinoza's Ethics by the Dutch Cartesian philosopher and theologian Christoph Wittich. Spinoza is often viewed as a radical Cartesian. But Wittich argues that Spinoza's methodology in fact diverges radically from that of Descartes (and is therefore deficient). Although it highlights many interesting features of Spinoza's and Descartes' methodologies, however, Wittich's argument is invalid. Wittich does not succeed in showing that Spinoza should not be regarded as a radical Cartesian.

AB - This article examines an early refutation of Spinoza's Ethics by the Dutch Cartesian philosopher and theologian Christoph Wittich. Spinoza is often viewed as a radical Cartesian. But Wittich argues that Spinoza's methodology in fact diverges radically from that of Descartes (and is therefore deficient). Although it highlights many interesting features of Spinoza's and Descartes' methodologies, however, Wittich's argument is invalid. Wittich does not succeed in showing that Spinoza should not be regarded as a radical Cartesian.

KW - Spinoza,

KW - Descartes,

KW - Cartesianism,

KW - method,

KW - Christoph Wittich,

KW - second notions

M3 - Article

SN - 1749-6977

JO - Intellectual History Review

JF - Intellectual History Review

ER -