Good and evil

pp. 141-159

in: Errol E. Harris, Salvation from despair, Berlin, Springer, 1973

Abstract

In different works, and in different contexts of the same work, Spinoza has made differing statements about the nature of good and evil, creating an appearance at times of inconsistency and at least of confusion. But once again this is only appearance, for the differing accounts are not incompatible and each statement can be given its appropriate place in his system so that they can be seen to cohere. I shall begin by listing and explaining these apparently diverse accounts and shall then show how they fit together in a comprehensive grasp of Spinoza's total system.