Eugene Marshall presents an original, systematic account of Spinoza's philosophy of mind, in which the mind is presented as an affective mechanism, one that, when rational, behaves as a spiritual automaton. The central feature of the account is a novel concept of consciousness, one that identifies consciousness with affectivity, a property of an idea paradigmatically but not exhaustively instantiated by those modes of thought Spinoza calls affects. Inadequate and adequate ideas come to consciousness, and thus impact our well-being and establish or disturb our happiness, only insofar as they become affects and, thus, conscious. And ideas become affects by entering into appropriate causal relations with the other ideas that constitute a mind. Furthermore, the topic of consciousness in Spinoza provides an eminently well-placed point of entry into his system, because it flows directly out of his central metaphysical, epistemological, and psychological commitments--and it does so in a way that allows us to see Spinoza's philosophy as a systematic whole. Further, doing so provides a thoroughly consistent yet novel way of thinking about central themes in his thought. Marshall's reading provides a novel understanding of adequacy, innateness, power, activity and passivity, the affects, the conatus, bondage, freedom, the illusion of free will, akrasia, blessedness, salvation, and the eternity of the soul. In short, by explaining the affective mechanisms of consciousness in Spinoza, The Spiritual Automaton illuminates Spinoza's systematic philosophical and ethical project as a whole, as well as in its details, in a striking new way.

About the Author
Eugene Marshall is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Florida International University. Prior to Florida International University, he taught at Wellesley College and Dartmouth College. He received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.

Reviews
In this engaging book Eugene Marshall defends an interpretation of Spinoza's theory of consciousness ... The book is admirably clear and well-structured: each of its six chapters contributes to Marshall's case. * Journal of the History of Philosophy *
Marshall's book provides a thoughtful contribution to Spinoza scholarship, and a variety of useful tools for interpreting Spinoza's philosophical system. Because it sets forth a broad, systematic reading in an accessible manner, the book should be of interest to Spinoza scholars of diverse interests, and students as well as experts. * Matthew Kisner, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199675531
Author Eugene Marshall
Format Hardback
Page Count 258
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 542g
Dimensions(mm) 238mm * 162mm * 22mm