Spinoza's Metaphysics
En Sof, Kabbalist Precursor of Spinoza's Infinite Substance

The Ancient of Days / God As the Unrestricted Power to Exist

The Infinite Attribute of Extension

The Infinite Attribute of Thought

Parallelism of Attributes
An absolutely infinite being must necessarily be defined as
consisting in infinite attributes each of which expresses a certain eternal and
infinite essence. (Ethics, Book I, Prop. 10, Note)

It is thus evident that, though two attributes are, in fact, conceived as distinct--that is, one without the help of the other--yet we cannot, therefore, conclude that they constitute two entities, or two different substances. For it is the nature of substance that each of its attributes is conceived through itself, inasmuch as all the attributes it has have always existed simultaneously in it, and none could be produced by any other; but each expresses the reality or being of substance. (Ethics, Book I, Prop. 10, Note)

From Infinite Substance to Finite Modes

Enfolded and Unfolded Being

Complicatio

Explicatio

Complicatio - Explicatio
Ontological Immanence



The Two Sides of Nature

Natura Naturans - Creative Nature

Natura Naturata - Created Nature
Substance, Attributes, and Modes

|
Infinite |
Finite |
||
|
Modes |
Modes |
||
| (Modifications of | the attributes) | ||
|
Attributes |
|||
| (Essence of substance) | |||
| / Rest \ | |||
| / \ | |||
| / Matter | Bodies - sensation | ||
| / (extension) | \ / | ||
| \ Motion / | |||
| Substance | |||
| / Intellect \ | |||
| Totality of Being | / \ | ||
| Nature | \ Mind | Minds - perception | |
| God | \ (thought) | \ / | |
| \ Will / | |||
| Absolute | Relative | ||
| Eternal |
|
Passing | |
| Necessary cause of itself | Contingent, merely possible | ||
| Free | Necessary | ||
| CAUSE |
EFFECT |
||
| Absolutely Infinite | Relatively Infinite | Infinite |
Finite, particular |
| (not limited within | (no beginning/end; | ||
| itself) | infinite series, | ||
| diversification; | |||
| motion is eternal) |



The Human Body as a Finite Mode of the Infinite Attribute of Extension




The Body's Proper Proportion of Motion and Rest


Deus sive Natura
