distributed/posted October 18, 2006; updated October 26
In chapter 4 of the Theological-Political Treatise, Spinoza distinguishes "doing good and seeking it from its goodness" from "doing good from fear of evil acts under constraint of evil, in bondage," which he equates with liv[ing] under another's sway" (55-56). Write a 6-8-page essay that (a) explains what Spinoza means by this distinction and how it relates to his understanding of what a "divine command" is; and (b) shows how Kant, in his account of religion and morality, might be taken to be expanding on Spinoza's views on the relation between religion and "doing good." Make sure to base your discussion on careful, well-substantiated readings of the texts by Spinoza and Kant that you choose to focus it on.
Along with your essay, please submit an outline that serves as a guide to what you do and in what order.
| As you prepare to write your essay, please consult my "Tips for Writing an Effective Paper" and draw upon what you have learned from comments on your Text Summary assignments and class discussions of Protocols. It might also be helpful for you to meet with a writing consultant--for instance at the Writing Clinic at the Center for Student Development on campus--during the writing process. |
There are two possible deadlines for this paper
(1) submit your paper by 
Monday, November
6 if you
choose to base your discussion of Kant on religion/morality only on the
selections we read from the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, the Critique
of Practical Reason, and on "On the Miscarriage of All Philosophical
Trials in Theodicy."
(2) submit your paper by Friday, November 10 if you choose, in your discussion of Kant on religion/morality, to take account of some part of Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason.
Please submit a printed copy in my mailbox by the appropriate deadline (or, if you choose the second deadline, you can bring it to class with you on November 10), and also send me a copy by e-mail attachment.