On the Significance of Formal Causes in Spinoza’s Metaphysics

Abstract

The paper argues for a formal-causal account of Spinoza's metaphysics. Its basic claim is that neither relations of ideas alone nor efficient causality -especially if interpreted "mechanistically" -articulate the basic sense of the Spinozistic 'cause'. Instead it is formal causality, as understood by Descartes and other 17 th -century mathematicians on the basis of Aristotleʼs Posterior Analytics, which fits best both with the textual evidence and with the more general conceptual constraints of Spinoza's metaphysics. Building on the work of Carraud and Viljanen, the paper develops a more precise concept of formal causality and a systematic formal-causal account of Spinoza's metaphysics. It gives this account footing in new arguments, shows its explanatory superiority to rival interpretations and connects it to other Spinozistic doctrines.

Spinoza's Formal Mechanism

“…See also Carraud, , pp. 305 and 314; Hübner, , p. 215; and Viljanen, , p. 425, for similar moves that nevertheless privilege formal over efficient causes.…”

“…105–11 and, for critiques of this reading, Lærke, , pp. 446–54; Hübner, , pp. 204–5; and Morrison, .…”

“…306–08 and 312–315) is more specific and intentional than earlier commentators, but is not as systematic of a defense as we find in Viljanen ( and , pp. 33–53) or Hübner (). I draw principally on Carraud, Viljanen (), and Hübner.…”

“…Hübner refers to Descartes's model as a ‘stripped‐down, mathematical, and inferential reconception of formal causality’ (, p. 207). Viljanen also moderates the role of substantial forms by suggesting that Spinoza may have been influenced by Suarez, who conceived of formal causes more simply as emanative effects from an agent's nature.…”

“…Hübner writes that Descartes's notion of a formal cause is the ‘prototype of Spinoza's notion of cause’ before illustrating how Spinoza may have altered and expanded it to encompass all causes (, pp. 212–16).…”