Spinozaâs Strong Eudaimonism

Brandon Smith

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Chapter 2 Spinozaâs Strong Eudaimonism

äºThe Search for MindâBody Flourishing in Spinozaâs Eudaimonism

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Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith
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Page Range:: 28â52

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004745643_003

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Abstract

This chapter argues that Spinoza is an eudaimonist by virtue of his conception of happiness as (a) grounded in facts about human nature; (b) partly dependent on the beliefs/feelings of a subject; (c) structurally stable; (d) exclusively intrinsically good; and (e) grounded in complete philosophical theories concerning reality, nature, knowledge, and human psychology. I begin by demonstrating the presence of (a)â(d) in key eudaimonistic figures like Socrates, the Cynics, Aristotle, Epicurus, and the Stoics. I then draw a distinction between what I refer to as âweak eudaimonismâ and âstrong eudaimonism.â Weak eudaimonists are committed to (a)â(d). They are primarily concerned with happiness as the highest good, with no necessary reliance on non-ethical doctrines or complete philosophical theories in their respective accounts of happiness. Strong eudaimonists, conversely, are committed to (a)â(e). They ground their respective accounts of happiness in non-ethical doctrines or complete philosophical theories concerning reality, nature, knowledge, and psychology to form robust philosophical systems aimed at living a happy life. With this background in mind, I then demonstrate how (a)â(e) are found in Spinozaâs conception of happiness in the Ethics, primarily through his ontological conception of the conatus, that is, essential self-affirmative striving (conatur) and force (vis), as the foundation of his ethical account of happiness.

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The Search for MindâBody Flourishing in Spinozaâs Eudaimonism

ä¸ç¼ï¼ New Research in the History of Western Philosophy, å·ï¼ 15

ISBN:: 9789004745643

åºçç¤¾:: Brill

å°å·åºçæ¥æ:: 30 Oct 2025

Subjects
- Philosophy
  - Early Modern Philosophy
  - Ethics & Moral Philosophy

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Chapter 2 Spinozaâs Strong Eudaimonism

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Chapter 2 Spinozaâs Strong Eudaimonism

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The Search for MindâBody Flourishing in Spinozaâs Eudaimonism

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