2. Strengths and Weaknesses of Spinoza’s Philosophy (Some Student Responses)
Geometrical method
Logical
Clear definitions and axioms
Effective order
Hard to prove wrong
View of Human Freedom
Clear understanding of emotions
View of pity and compassion
Method for controlling emotions
Resolution of Mind/Body problem
Universal appeal not based on a particular faith
Relevance for everyday life
Geometrical method
Hard to follow
Confusing logic
Extreme rationalism
Arguments based on his own definitions (circularity?)
No room for interpretation
Hypothetical foundation
View that a free person would avoid compassion, pity, humility, repentance
Impossibility of controlling passive emotions and being a perfect being
Determinism/lack of free will
Mind/body understanding: mind can affect body
Mysticism

3. Strengths and Weaknesses (My Additions)
Practical personal philosophy of life
“Ethics of love”
Method for peace and power
Holistic vision
View of humans as one with nature, not superior to nature
Origin of finite modes? (See E1p23&28)
Determinism: No choice/responsibility?
Nothing bad in the universe?
Problematic view of animals (E4p37s1)
Immortality of Mind? (E5p23)

4. Weakness and Strengths (Friedrich Nietzsche)
“Not to speak of that hocus-pocus of mathematical form in which, as if in iron, Spinoza encased and masked his philosophy…so as to strike terror into the heart of any assailant which should happen to glance at that invincible maiden the Pallas Athena—how much personal timidity and vulnerability this masquerade of a sick recluse betrays.”
Friedrich Niezsche
See p. 92 in The Portable Nietzsche