I think Spinoza's model for the physical world -
is extension
one dimensional - (in the sense that it is not
reflective)
and for Spinoza - the mental is effectively no
different to the physical
the fact that 'I know' - on such a view is not
ontologically and different to 'x exists'
there is no real internal dimension to reality
for Spinoza
everything is objective
subjectivity - just a fact of the objective world
we would say a physical fact
his conception is I think in the same vein as modern
mind-brain identity theorists
Spinoza has no doubt about objectivity
the question for him is how best to describe it -
to account for its unfolding - its expression
for Spinoza the mind is a means to this end -
an instrument to be used in this enterprise -
and for him - finally - it is no different - in
the end to that which it is put to the service of -
it too has to be laid out - explained - described -
just as does the physical world and its features
it's as if the mind displays the world
it is all like an exhibition
how do you distinguish the exhibiting from what
is exhibited?
