SPINOZA’S PHILOSOPHY: THE ROLE OF ONTOLOGY IN JUSTIFICATIONTHE ETHICS OF ENDS

Abstract

The paper shows the characteristic features of Spinoza's ethics are revealed in accordance with the specifics of his ontology, namely, it is shown that Spinoza's ethical goals are to achieve a person's understanding of the essence of virtues and affects, which entails disclosing the morality inherent in human nature and liberation from passions. It is shown that human freedom is understood by Spinoza as the realization by man of one's own aspirations and goals. It is established that Spinoza's ontology serves as the theoretical foundation of his ethics: Spinoza's goal in constructing such an ontology is to give a different idea of the essence and content of traditional ethical positions. It is substantiated that epistemology is the core of the entire philosophical system, namely, an ontological foundation and further ethical positions are built on the assessment of the adequacy and inadequacy of cognition. It is estimated to what extent the ethical component of Spinoza's teachings determines the content and character of the rest of his philosophy.