Spinoza on Eternal Life

TY - JOUR

T1 - Spinoza on Eternal Life

AU - Carlisle, Clare Louise

PY - 2014/12/9

Y1 - 2014/12/9

N2 - This article argues that Spinoza’s account of the eternity of the mind in Part V of the Ethics offers a re-interpretation of the Christian doctrine of eternal life. While Spinoza rejects the orthodox Christian teaching belief in personal immortality and the resurrection of the body, he presents an alternative account of human eternity that retains certain key characteristics of the Johannine doctrine of eternal life, especially as this is articulated in the First Letter of John. The article shows how Spinoza’s account of human eternity reflects two key principles of his philosophy: the ideal of union with God, and the possibility of the human being’s ontological transformation through this union.

AB - This article argues that Spinoza’s account of the eternity of the mind in Part V of the Ethics offers a re-interpretation of the Christian doctrine of eternal life. While Spinoza rejects the orthodox Christian teaching belief in personal immortality and the resurrection of the body, he presents an alternative account of human eternity that retains certain key characteristics of the Johannine doctrine of eternal life, especially as this is articulated in the First Letter of John. The article shows how Spinoza’s account of human eternity reflects two key principles of his philosophy: the ideal of union with God, and the possibility of the human being’s ontological transformation through this union.

U2 - 10.5840/acpq201412842

DO - 10.5840/acpq201412842

M3 - Article

SN - 1051-3558

VL - 89

SP - 69

EP - 96

JO - AMERICAN CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY : JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION

JF - AMERICAN CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY : JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION

IS - 1

ER -