Spinoza and Leibniz: making sense of the world

About this course

The course examines how Spinoza and Leibniz use reason to construct accounts of reality and human nature, including their contrasting views of God, freedom and the structure of existence. It then considers their theories of knowledge and ethics, asking what constitutes a good human life. Teaching combines general introductions with close reading of passages from both philosophers’ writings. Class discussion is used to explore challenging and sometimes opaque arguments, placing individual ideas within each philosopher’s wider system.

What you'll learn

• Explain Spinoza’s necessitarianism and his identification of everything that exists with God in some sense
• Describe Spinoza’s views on human freedom, conatus and happiness
• Outline Leibniz’s theory of monads and his argument that this is the best of all possible worlds
• Summarise Spinoza’s and Leibniz’s accounts of the purpose of human life

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for learners at all levels and assumes no previous knowledge of Spinoza or Leibniz. Participants should be prepared to engage with difficult philosophical ideas and texts, listen to views they may not share, and contribute to group discussion.

• Suitable for learners approaching these philosophers for the first time
• Requires willingness to work through texts that may be opaque in places
• Includes opportunities for group discussion

Before you go

• Handouts are provided.
• Learners may wish to bring something for taking notes during class discussion.