October 13

Luce deLire (JHU)

A Portrait of Descartes as a Spinozist: Cartesian Infinity Revisited

Abstract: In this talk I revisit Descartes' theory of infinity. I will argue that his theory is actually more coherent and more radical than one might think and that the step from a Cartesian infinity to a Spinozistic infinity is in the end relatively small. In order to do that, I will first point to the role that infinity plays in Descartes' arguments for God as a self causing cause. I will then follow his twisted and sometimes rather indecisive line of argumentation in order to mark the space for a Cartesian actual infinity. Lastly, I will point out how an attentive reader (such as Spinoza) might come to the conclusion that infinity is actual (meaning : already fully actualized) and can be understood by a rational intellect. In short: I will try to show that Descartes was much more of a Spinozist about infinity than one would expect at first sight.

Luce deLire is a PhD Candidate at Johns Hopkins University with interests in the history of philosophy and metaphysics.

A recording of the session will be made available for some time following the event.

(The “Downloads” page is password-protected, and the password is available to all members of the Spinoza and EMP Workshop email list.)