On Natura Naturata by Baruch Spinoza
Natura naturata consists of the attributes or creations that depend immediately on God. Of these, only two are known: motion in matter and understanding in the thinking thing. Both have existed from eternity, remain immutable through eternity, and form a work proportionate to the greatness of their master. Motion is infinite in its kind and cannot be or be understood through itself, but only through Extension. Though its fuller consideration belongs to Natural Science, it is described here as a Son, Product, or Effect immediately created by God. Understanding in the thinking thing is likewise a Son, Product, or immediate Creation of God. Created from eternity and eternally immutable, it has one function: to understand all things clearly and distinctly at every time. This activity invariably produces an infinite, most perfect satisfaction, which necessarily performs its own operation.
By Baruch Spinoza · First published 1660 · Genre: Philosophical Treatise, Metaphysics, Rationalist Philosophy · 275 words
First lines
Now, as regards the general Natura naturata, or attributes, or creations which depend on, or have been created by, God immediately, of these we know no more than two, namely, motion in matter, and the understanding in the thinking thing. These, then, we say, have been from all eternity, and to all eternity will remain immutable. A work truly as great as becomes the greatness of the work's master.
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On Natura Naturata is listed on Textopian as an essay by Baruch Spinoza, dated 1660 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: Baruch Spinoza
- Date: 1660 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Treatise, Metaphysics, Rationalist Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Ontology
- Length: 275 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Philosophical Treatise — The passage presents systematic metaphysical claims about God, attributes, causation, eternity, motion, and understanding through argumentative exposition rather than narrative.
- Metaphysics — Its central concern is the nature of reality: Natura naturata, divine production, immutable entities, attributes, and the eternal dependence of finite things upon God.
- Rationalist Philosophy — The writing reflects Spinoza's rationalist method, treating reality as an intelligible necessary order and emphasizing clear and distinct understanding.
- Philosophy of Religion — God is treated as the ultimate cause of motion and understanding, and the text examines the relation between divine nature and created or dependent reality.
Tags
philosophy · metaphysics · ontology · rationalism · pantheism · monism · substance · nature · divine immanence · causality · determinism · necessity