Benedict Spinoza argues that substance is infinite and that God or Nature is the one substance. As a monist, Spinoza rejects ontological dualism. From this perspective, how does Spinoza understand thought and extension monistically, and what does he mean by characterizing the human mind and the human body as finite modes of attributes of substance?
To understand Spinoza's perspective on thought and extension, as well as his characterization of the human mind and body, it's crucial to grasp some of the key concepts in his philosophy.
Spinoza's philosophy is built upon the idea of substance, which he defines as "that which is in itself and is conceived through itself; that is, that whose concept does not require the concept of another thing from which it must be formed" (Ethics, Part 1, Definition 3). Substance, according to Spinoza, is infinite and indivisible. From this standpoint, he rejects ontological dualism, which posits the existence of two distinct types of substances, such as mind and matter.
In Spinoza's framework, he identifies two fundamental attributes of substance: thought (mind) and extension (matter). These attributes are the essential characteristics or properties of substance, and they are not distinct from substance itself. So, according to Spinoza, substance is infinite, and the two attributes of thought and extension are inseparable from it.
Now, let's consider the human mind and body. According to Spinoza, they are not separate substances but finite modes of the attributes of substance. A mode, in Spinoza's terminology, is a particular way in which an attribute is expressed or manifested. So, the human mind is a finite mode of the attribute of thought, while the human body is a finite mode of the attribute of extension.
By characterizing the human mind and body as finite modes, Spinoza means that they are specific and limited expressions of the infinite attributes of thought and extension. They are finite because they are subject to particular boundaries and constraints. However, Spinoza also emphasizes that the mind and body are intricately connected and mutually dependent. The mind affects the body, and the body affects the mind, illustrating the unity and interplay between the attributes of thought and extension in human beings.
In summary, Spinoza understands thought and extension monistically, as the two inseparable attributes of the infinite substance. The human mind and body, on the other hand, are finite modes of these attributes, representing specific expressions of thought and extension with their own limits and boundaries.