<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The present article deals with specific normative concepts of Spinoza’s ethical system and compares them to certain aspects of the theory of ethics of social consequences. At first, a way to approach the problem of normativity in Spinoza is presented, concentrating on the obligatory character of rational - or intellectual - motives. Then, theoretical evidence is presented which links Spinoza to normative-ethical consequentialism. The basis for a consequentialist model of Spinoza’s ethics is the concept of perfection, and on this basis it seems possible to consider its compatibility with non-utilitarian forms of consequentialism, such as ethics of social consequences. Conclusively, the paper’s aim is to present the possibility of considering Spinozian consequentialism as a non-utilitarian consequentialism, while considering ethics of social consequences as a contemporary form of Spinozian consequentialism.</p></abstract>

The present article deals with specific normative concepts of Spinoza’s ethical system and compares them to certain aspects of the theory of ethics of social consequences. At first, a way to approach the problem of normativity in Spinoza is presented, concentrating on the obligatory character of rational - or intellectual - motives. Then, theoretical evidence is presented which links Spinoza to normative-ethical consequentialism. The basis for a consequentialist model of Spinoza’s ethics is the concept of perfection, and on this basis it seems possible to consider its compatibility with non-utilitarian forms of consequentialism, such as ethics of social consequences. Conclusively, the paper’s aim is to present the possibility of considering Spinozian consequentialism as a non-utilitarian consequentialism, while considering ethics of social consequences as a contemporary form of Spinozian consequentialism.

Spinozian consequentialism of ethics of social consequences

Ethics & Bioethics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Spinozian consequentialism of ethics of social consequences"}

The present article deals with specific normative concepts of Spinoza’s ethical system and compares them to certain aspects of the theory of ethics of social...

Spinozian consequentialism of ethics of social consequences

Published Online: Jul 19, 2018

Page range: 41 - 50

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ebce-2018-0008

Keywords
Spinoza, rationality, morality, consequentialism, ethics of social consequences

© 2018 Michaela Petrufová Joppová, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Spinozian consequentialism of ethics of social consequences

Published Online: Jul 19, 2018

Page range: 41 - 50

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ebce-2018-0008

KeywordsSpinoza, rationality, morality, consequentialism, ethics of social consequences

© 2018 Michaela Petrufová Joppová, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Spinoza, rationality, morality, consequentialism, ethics of social consequences