Spinoza, God, and a Single Substance

Over the course of this new two-part series, I will examine and discuss an…interesting…theory on the nature of reality which was put forward by the modern philosopher Spinoza.

I will be looking primarily at a writing of his entitled The Ethics, in which he argues that there can only exist one substance in the universe, that one substance being God.

I will briefly discuss how his views differ from those traditionally held, before launching into the full examination of what he means by “substance,” how God fits that definition, and why there cannot be two or more substances.

But, before one can properly examine Spinoza’s writings, it is necessary to take a brief look back to his philosophical predecessors (of whom he was undoubtedly aware), in order to learn what views they held on this topic and provide the context for Spinoza’s writings, unique though his views may be.