Dec. 20

Luce deLire (Johns Hopkins University)

Spinoza’s Theory of Indeterminacy

Abstract: In this talk, I investigate Spinoza’s theory of the indefinite. I argue that in Ep. 12 – the definitive text on infinity in Spinoza’s Oeuvre – the only kind of infinity by virtue of essence to be found is the indefinite, which applies to both substance and modes alike. We can conclude that Spinoza’s theory of infinity is independent from his ontological commitments, namely independent from his theory of substances and modes. I then move on to the Ethics in order to investigate why Spinoza would think so and how large the scope of the indefinite is. It turns out that the indefinite nature of all essences relies on the principle Ex nihilo nihil fit – nothing comes from nothing. No essence can entail any kind of negation. Therefore, the existence of some particular essence cannot be determined by virtue of that essence – neither in number, nor duration or colour or in any other way. In other words: There is nothing special about substance, neither with regards to its essence, nor with regards to its infinity.

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

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