On Remorse and Repentance by Baruch Spinoza
Spinoza argues that remorse and repentance arise from rashness: remorse follows an action whose goodness or badness is doubted, while repentance follows an action judged bad. Many suppose these feelings are beneficial because even people who generally use their understanding properly may err when they lack the habitual readiness to use it well, and remorse or repentance might seem able to correct them. Spinoza rejects this view. Reason and the love of truth guide people more successfully than remorse and sorrow. Since remorse and repentance are forms of sorrow, and sorrow is injurious, they are pernicious rather than good and should be avoided as evils.
By Baruch Spinoza · First published 1660 · Genre: Philosophical Essay, Ethics, Moral Philosophy · 272 words
First lines
On the present occasion we shall speak, though briefly, about remorse and repentance. These never arise except as the result of rashness; because remorse comes only from this, that we do something about which we are then in doubt whether it is good, or whether it is bad; and repentance, from this, that we have done something which is bad.
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On Remorse and Repentance 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 Essay, Ethics, Moral Philosophy, Rationalist Philosophy, Philosophical Psychology
- Length: 272 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for On Remorse and Repentance by Baruch Spinoza
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Genres
- Philosophical Essay — A brief argumentative prose work examining the nature, causes, and moral value of remorse and repentance through reasoned analysis.
- Ethics — The work evaluates remorse and repentance as moral and psychological conditions, judging them harmful in comparison with rational understanding and love of truth.
- Moral Philosophy — It addresses how people ought to respond to error and wrongdoing, rejecting sorrow-based correction in favor of reason.
- Rationalist Philosophy — Its central method and conclusion prioritize the proper use of understanding and reason over emotion, reflecting Spinoza's rationalist approach.
Tags
philosophy · ethics · moral psychology · emotion · guilt · forgiveness · self-knowledge · reason · virtue · human nature · free will · determinism