Spinoza and the Stoics [Paperback]

This book provides a systematic examination of the relations between the key elements of Spinoza's philosophy and the Stoics.Miller presents a detailed comparison of the ethics, metaphysics, and philosophical psychology of Spinoza and the Stoics, revealing much about Spinoza, and about an ancient philosophy adapted and mediated through early modern philosophy. Those studying Spinoza, early modern philosophy, and the history of ideas will value this study.Miller presents a detailed comparison of the ethics, metaphysics, and philosophical psychology of Spinoza and the Stoics, revealing much about Spinoza, and about an ancient philosophy adapted and mediated through early modern philosophy. Those studying Spinoza, early modern philosophy, and the history of ideas will value this study.For many years, philosophers and other scholars have commented on the remarkable similarity between Spinoza and the Stoics, with some even going so far as to speak of 'Spinoza the Stoic'. Until now, however, no one has systematically examined the relationship between the two systems. In Spinoza and the Stoics Jon Miller takes on this task, showing how key elements of Spinoza's metaphysics, epistemology, philosophical psychology, and ethics relate to their Stoic counterparts. Drawing on a wide range of secondary literature including the most up-to-date scholarship and a close examination of the textual evidence, Jon Miller not only reveals the sense in which Spinoza was, and was not, a Stoic, but also offers new insights into how each system should be understood in itself. His book will be of great interest to scholars and students of ancient philosophy, early modern philosophy, Spinoza, and the philosophy of the Stoics.Introduction; 1. Monism; 2. Phantasia and ideas; 3. Conatus and Oikeiosis; 4. Value; 5. Happiness; Conclusion: Spinoza and the Stoics?; Bibliography; Index of names; General index.