Notes on Spinoza, TTP, chapters 1415

1
Notes on Spinoza, TTP, chapters 14-15
2
Spinozas Project

• In the TTP Spinoza is trying to establish the
  the limits of individual freedom of opinion in
  regard to faith, and who should be seen as
  belonging to the faithful in spite of their
  diverse opinions (p. 158). In chapters 14 and
  15 he defines faith, its basic principles,
  distinguishes it from philosophy, and argues that
  neither is theology subordinate to philosophy,
  nor is philosophy subordinate to theology.

3
Spinozas Definition of Faith

• Faith is the holding of certain beliefs about
  God such that, without these beliefs, there
  cannot be obedience to God, and if this obedience
  is posited, these beliefs are necessarily
  posited (p. 160).

4
Consequences of this Definition of Faith

• Faith does not bring salvation through itself,
  but only by reason of obedience.
• One who is truly obedient necessarily possesses a
  true and saving faith.
• Faith requires not so much true dogmas as pious
  dogmas, that is, such as move the heart to
  obedience.

5
Tenets of the Universal Faith

• God exists.
• God is one alone.
• God is omnipresent.
• God has supreme right and dominion over all
  things.
• Worship of God and obedience to him consists
  solely in justice and charity, or love towards
  ones neighbor.
• All who obey God by following this way of life,
  and only those, are saved others, who live at
  pleasures behest, are lost.
• God forgives repentant sinners.

6
Faith vs. Philosophy

• The aim of philosophy is . . . truth, while the
  aim of faith . . . is nothing other than
  obedience and piety (p. 164).

7
A Practical Implication

• Faith allows to every man the utmost freedom
  to philosophise, and he may hold whatever
  opinions he pleases on any subjects whatsoever
  without imputation of evil. It condemns as
  heretics and schismatics only those who teach
  such beliefs as promote obstinacy, hatred, strife
  and anger, while it regards as the faithful only
  those who promote justice and charity to the best
  of their intellectual powers and capacity (p.
  164).