Metaphysical Alternatives: Spinoza and Leibniz

Natura Naturans

God as the source and cause of everything.

Natura Naturata

Nature as the result of God's creation.

Rationalism

Philosophical view emphasizing reason as source of knowledge.

Descartes

Philosopher known for 'I think, therefore I am.'

Spinoza

Philosopher advocating substance monism and rationalism.

Leibniz

Philosopher known for pluralism and idealism.

Ex Nihilo

Creation from nothing, orthodox view of creation.

Dualism

Belief in distinct mind and body substances.

Monism

Philosophical view that all is one substance.

Substance Monism

Only one substance exists with infinite attributes.

Attributes

Essence of a substance, e.g., mind and body.

Modes

Modifications of substance, like emotions or shapes.

Conatus

Endeavor of everything to persist in existence.

Bondage

State of being controlled by emotions.

Freedom

Ability to be liberated from emotional control.

Principle of Contradiction

Something cannot be true and false simultaneously.

Principle of Sufficient Reason

Everything must have a reason or cause.

Analytic A Priori

Knowledge independent of experience.

Synthetic A Posteriori

Knowledge dependent on experience.

Monads

Leibniz's simple, indivisible substances.

Pre-established Harmony

God synchronizes all minds without interaction.

Idealism

Only spirits and minds exist; material objects do not.

Pluralism

Belief in multiple substances or realities.

God's Perfection

God as the ultimate perfect creator.

Emotion

Modification of the body affecting its power.

Intuition

Understanding through the essence of things.

Imagination

Mental faculty for creating images and ideas.

Reason

Mental faculty for logical deduction and understanding.

Inadequate Ideas

Confused, incomplete ideas lacking clarity.