Ethics
The Ethics of Benedictus de Spinoza was published by his friends in 1677, a few months after his death, having been kept back during his lifetime for fear of the reaction. It is laid out like Euclid, in definitions, axioms, propositions and proofs, and in five parts it argues that God and nature are one substance, that mind and body are two aspects of the same thing, that human emotions follow laws as exact as those of geometry, that we are in bondage to those emotions, and that freedom lies in understanding them. The method is forbidding and the conclusions were long thought scandalous. This edition presents the text in R. H. M. Elwes's translation. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Ethics
Ethics by Benedictus de Spinoza can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Ethics online?
Yes. Ethics opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Ethics free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Ethics is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Ethics in the public domain?
Yes. Ethics by Benedictus de Spinoza is a public-domain work, here in the translation by R. H. M. Elwes. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Ethics?
About 5 h 52 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Ethics?
Ethics by Benedictus de Spinoza is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
