the concept of singularity
Spinoza defines the concept of singularity
this at least
cause in itself?
the idea of cause
and then cause as sui generis
the definition of substance could be no more than an
intellectual exercise - an exercise in logical thinking
introducing cause - and cause in itself
and applying this to the concept of substance
is to take the concept of substance - the idea of it -
and give it objective existential status
at this point we are no longer looking at a concept
rather a reality - an existential reality
at this point substance exists
and what sort of a move is this?
at this point - substance - the concept - is used as a
definition of existence
is this a philosophical sleight of hand -
from the concept of 'rabbit' to rabbit?
and then apply the characteristics of the actual -
back to the concept?
in this case the attributes of mind and extension
so my argument is that substance the concept of
substance
is no more than a definition of singularity -
of oneness - of unity
now does such a definition - concept apply to
what exists -
to reality?
Spinoza's argument -
well if reality is a singularity - a oneness -
a unity - yes
it applies to nothing else -
so is reality this?
yes according to Spinoza
but why -
you can ask?
what I say is - the argument for substance is not
relevant here
for it is an argument for the concept
if the concept is to apply to what exists -
we must have another argument?
question
what sort of argument?
how could you show that the concept of substance does
or does not apply to what exists?
is this issue empirical?
if not - what kind of question is it?
can an observation settle the matter?
no
for a theory of the nature of reality is not just a
theory of what can be observed
or is it?
the other important issue here is
the question of the status of such a conception as
that of substance
and in particular Spinoza's substance
can we conceive of a totality?
according to Spinoza we can if we think about it
correctly - as in finite and self-caused
but the issue is - what is being conceived in such?
is it reality - the real world
or is but an idea - it is assumed can be applied
an idea is an idea
how do we know that such has content
existential content?
does it matter?
not in the realm of imagination
but yes - in the realm of fact
so - yes we can imagine with Spinoza such a concept
applying
but this is not to say yea or nay regarding its actual
application
the problem is that empirical testing
is with and in nature
we never have the vantage point of looking at nature
from the outside
we don't have a God's eye view
