Relationship between human nature and ethics in Spinoza's philosophy

This dissertation investigates the relationship between human nature and ethics in Spinoza's philosophy, with reference to "what human being is", arguments concerning "how a person behaves" and even "how he/she should acts" are examined, analyzed and further the subject-matter is shed light upon. This work consists of four chapters. In Introduction part, the basic concepts of Spinoza's philosophy are discussed, and the ground of Spinoza's system is brought to light. At this place, God, substance, attributes and "modus" are researched particularly. In the first chapter, Spinoza's concept of "Nature" and the ontological ground that human being is subject to are determined in detail. Human in terms of his/her own nature are studied in the second part. In this chapter, the person with his/her mental and emotional aspects are analyzed. The third chapter is devoted to ethics in Spinoza; the behaviors of the man, whose metaphysical ties have been determined, his/her position among other beings has been designated, the cognitive and emotional aspects of his/her nature have been made understood and then the person has gained the method of reaching the adequate knowledge, and the motives that determine or require these behaviors are exposed together with their reasons. In the fourth chapter, ideas that express the ultimate goal of Spinoza's philosophy are evaluated. Thesis concentrates, in brief, on the two points: In the first place, human nature is introduced in light of concept of "Nature" in order to reveal "what human is". Then, in the second stage, ethics is investigated in all its possible aspects; how the behaviors that can morally be evaluated emerge from human nature as manifestations are clarified. Spinoza treats both topics linking together and thus this research illuminates this point. Key words: Spinoza, Human Nature, Ethics, Morality, Mind, Intellect, Emotion