Spinoza’s Ethics, a profound and challenging philosophical work, presents a vision grounded in necessity, reason, and the unity of all things. We’ll read it together, discussing Spinoza’s views on God or Nature, mind and body, emotions, and the path to intellectual freedom and happiness.
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We will engage with the implications of Spinoza’s arguments for issues concerning freedom, morality, emotion, and what it means to live well.
What will we cover?
Grasp the main arguments of each part of the Ethics; explain key terms such as substance, mode, conatus and intellectual love; the continuing influence of the Ethics in philosophy, science, and political thought; reflect on how Spinoza’s ideas might inform your views on rationality and human flourishing.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The level is introductory. No previous knowledge is assumed and all you need is an interest in the kinds of ideas we will be looking at. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Lively tutor presentations and seminar discussions. We will read the sections of the Ethics week by week and then discuss it. The aim is to inform, stimulate and inspire you to think further about the issues we will look at. Suggestions for further reading will be provided but this will not be compulsory. There will be a Google Classroom page available in which all the resources used in the course will be available for you to download.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You need a copy of the book. There are two good translations widely available: one by Edwin Curley, published by Penguin, the other by Samuel Shirley, published by Hackett. I recommend the Curley, but they are both good.
I strongly recommend getting this companion text: Spinoza’s Ethics by Beth Lord (Edinburgh University Press). It is very helpful.
Whatever you need to take notes would be useful.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HP139 - Freud and philosophy, taught by the same tutor, will start in January 2027.
Chris teaches, studies and writes about philosophy and many other things. He has taught adult learners for many years and is committed to the view that the subject should be taught in a lively way that stimulates and empowers students, and that relates both to history, culture and society more widely. Most importantly, students should begin to see how philosophy relates to them, and that it is something they can engage in with confidence and success. He has studied at the University of Sheffield, University of East Anglia, Goldsmiths and Roehampton Universites and has a PhD, the subject of which was Hannah Arendt and Kant’s Theory of Reflective Judgment. He is the co-uthor of the Cambridge University Press Book ‘Thinking Through Philosophy’, and has published numerous articles, mainly on philosophical issues. He has a strong interest in politics, history, literature, the visual arts and music and is a keen landscape photographer.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/philosophy-reading-group-spinoza-s-the-ethics3062149Philosophy reading group: Spinoza's The Ethicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/h/philosophy_reading_group_spinoza_s_the_ethics.jpg329329GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy22851177140415791228511771404<p>Spinoza’s <em>Ethics</em>, a profound and challenging philosophical work, presents a vision grounded in necessity, reason, and the unity of all things. We’ll read it together, discussing Spinoza’s views on God or Nature, mind and body, emotions, and the path to intellectual freedom and happiness.</p><p>NB: No class on 30/11/26.</p>003062107Philosophy reading group: Spinoza's The Ethics329329https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/h/philosophy_reading_group_spinoza_s_the_ethics_1.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-21T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHP235329329Philosophy reading group: Spinoza's The Ethics329214329Christopher Hornerphilosophy-reading-group-spinoza-s-the-ethics/hp235-2627<p>Spinoza’s <em>Ethics</em>, a profound and challenging philosophical work, presents a vision grounded in necessity, reason, and the unity of all things. We’ll read it together, discussing Spinoza’s views on God or Nature, mind and body, emotions, and the path to intellectual freedom and happiness.</p><p>NB: No class on 30/11/26.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-21 00:00:00<p>We will engage with the implications of Spinoza’s arguments for issues concerning freedom, morality, emotion, and what it means to live well.</p><p>Spinoza’s <em>Ethics</em>, a profound and challenging philosophical work, presents a vision grounded in necessity, reason, and the unity of all things. We’ll read it together, discussing Spinoza’s views on God or Nature, mind and body, emotions, and the path to intellectual freedom and happiness.</p><p>NB: No class on 30/11/26.</p><p>Grasp the main arguments of each part of the Ethics; explain key terms such as substance, mode, conatus and intellectual love; the continuing influence of the <em>Ethics</em> in philosophy, science, and political thought; reflect on how Spinoza’s ideas might inform your views on rationality and human flourishing.</p>.The level is introductory. No previous knowledge is assumed and all you need is an interest in the kinds of ideas we will be looking at. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<p>Lively tutor presentations and seminar discussions. We will read the sections of the <em>Ethics </em>week by week and then discuss it. The aim is to inform, stimulate and inspire you to think further about the issues we will look at. Suggestions for further reading will be provided but this will not be compulsory. There will be a Google Classroom page available in which all the resources used in the course will be available for you to download.</p><ul><li>You need a copy of the book. There are two good translations widely available: one by Edwin Curley, published by Penguin, the other by Samuel Shirley, published by Hackett. I recommend the Curley, but they are both good.</li><li>I strongly recommend getting this companion text: <em>Spinoza’s Ethics</em> by Beth Lord (Edinburgh University Press). It is very helpful.</li><li>Whatever you need to take notes would be useful. </li></ul><p>HP139 - Freud and philosophy, taught by the same tutor, will start in January 2027.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyvirtual329329214HP235NONEMon21/09/26 - 14/12/2618:30 - 20:3018:3020:3012 sessions (over 13 weeks)1211 weeks or longerEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetChristopher HornerBeginnersAvailable courses2026-09-21T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities329329Philosophy reading group: Spinoza's The Ethicsphilosophy-reading-group-spinoza-s-the-ethics/hp235-2627<p>Spinoza’s <em>Ethics</em>, a profound and challenging philosophical work, presents a vision grounded in necessity, reason, and the unity of all things. We’ll read it together, discussing Spinoza’s views on God or Nature, mind and body, emotions, and the path to intellectual freedom and happiness.</p><p>NB: No class on 30/11/26.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-21 00:00:00<p>We will engage with the implications of Spinoza’s arguments for issues concerning freedom, morality, emotion, and what it means to live well.</p><p>Spinoza’s <em>Ethics</em>, a profound and challenging philosophical work, presents a vision grounded in necessity, reason, and the unity of all things. We’ll read it together, discussing Spinoza’s views on God or Nature, mind and body, emotions, and the path to intellectual freedom and happiness.</p><p>NB: No class on 30/11/26.</p><p>Grasp the main arguments of each part of the Ethics; explain key terms such as substance, mode, conatus and intellectual love; the continuing influence of the <em>Ethics</em> in philosophy, science, and political thought; reflect on how Spinoza’s ideas might inform your views on rationality and human flourishing.</p>.The level is introductory. No previous knowledge is assumed and all you need is an interest in the kinds of ideas we will be looking at. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.<p>Lively tutor presentations and seminar discussions. We will read the sections of the <em>Ethics </em>week by week and then discuss it. The aim is to inform, stimulate and inspire you to think further about the issues we will look at. Suggestions for further reading will be provided but this will not be compulsory. There will be a Google Classroom page available in which all the resources used in the course will be available for you to download.</p><ul><li>You need a copy of the book. There are two good translations widely available: one by Edwin Curley, published by Penguin, the other by Samuel Shirley, published by Hackett. I recommend the Curley, but they are both good.</li><li>I strongly recommend getting this companion text: <em>Spinoza’s Ethics</em> by Beth Lord (Edinburgh University Press). It is very helpful.</li><li>Whatever you need to take notes would be useful. </li></ul><p>HP139 - Freud and philosophy, taught by the same tutor, will start in January 2027.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyconfigurable
15791404Philosophyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/philosophy-religion-belief/philosophy1/2/285/1177/1404/15791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy
