1. NOTES ON BARUCH SPINOZA, Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect 1632-1677

2. The Goal of the Treatise In this early work (c. 1656-1661) Spinoza explains the nature of philosophy, how it contributes to our understanding of what is a good life, and what “life plan” is required for achieving a good life.

3. Three Parts to the Introduction “Everyman” First-Person Narrative (paragraphs 1-11) The Highest Good (paragraphs 12-13) A Life Plan (paragraphs 14-17)

4. The Perspective of “Everyman” on the Nature of a Good Life The unsatisfactoriness associated with such conditional goods as sensual pleasure, money, and honor A philosophical conversion to a better path

5. A Philosophical Analysis of a Life Oriented toward the Highest Good An Important Distinction: Conditional vs. Unconditional Goods

6. Formulating a Life Plan for Achieving the Highest Good NOTE: Spinoza does not reject conditional goods; they still serve as an instrumental purpose for the attaining the highest good