| Author |
Spinoza, Benedictus de, 1632-1677 |
| Translator |
Elwes, R. H. M. (Robert Harvey Monro), 1853- |
| Title |
On the Improvement of the Understanding
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| Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tractatus_de_Intellectus_Emendatione
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 54.4 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer. HTML
version by Al Haines.
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| Summary |
"On the Improvement of the Understanding" by Benedictus de Spinoza is a philosophical treatise likely written in the 17th century during the early modern period. This work is primarily focused on methods of knowledge and understanding, emphasizing the need for clear and distinct ideas to attain true knowledge. Spinoza explores the nature of perception and discusses how different modes of understanding can either hinder or facilitate the pursuit of truth. In this treatise, Spinoza seeks to establish a method for improving one's understanding by distinguishing true ideas from false or fictitious ones. He outlines various modes of perception, arguing that only a clear and distinct understanding can lead to reliable knowledge. Throughout the text, he emphasizes the importance of knowledge grounded in reality, and proposes various rules for life that aim to align one’s desires with the pursuit of true happiness and understanding. Ultimately, Spinoza’s work serves as a philosophical guide to refining one’s intellect and enhancing one’s quest for knowledge. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
B: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
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| Subject |
Philosophy and religion
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| Subject |
Free thought
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
1016 |
| Release Date |
Aug 1, 1997 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jul 26, 2017 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
535 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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