Exploring Baruch Spinoza and Pantheism

Please join us this Sunday as we explore Baruch Spinoza. We will meet at the CAPTAIN MELVILLE, 34 Franklin St in Melbourne CBD, at 2.00pm for 2.15pm start sharp.

There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background; all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared have your own assumptions challenged!

Find below some questions to consider, however these are free-ranging events and the below serve merely as a springboard towards a deeper discussion in waters unknown...

Some points and questions to consider before the event:

• Was Spinoza a pantheist?
• God or Nature (Deus sive Natura): Spinoza asserts that there is only one infinite substance, which he identifies as God, or Nature. What are the major theological and philosophical implications of this view, and how does it fundamentally change the traditional Judeo-Christian conception of a personal, transcendent God?
• For Spinoza, an error is simply a lack of knowledge, or a privation (a passive state of the mind). Does this account adequately explain how we come to hold strong, false beliefs that seem to be more than just "not knowing"?
• Spinoza believes we are free to the extent that our actions proceed from adequate ideas (active emotions) rather than being driven by external causes (passive emotions/passions). How practical is it to gain adequate knowledge of all the external causes that affect us in order to transform passive emotions into active ones?
• Does Spinoza’s monism adequately account for the apparent individuality of persons and objects?
• How might Spinoza’s ideas about nature and determinism intersect with modern scientific worldviews, especially physics and neuroscience?
• Any other questions you may wish to explore!

Hope to see you there!