Philosophical Thought

Spinoza and the Transition from Platonic and Neoplatonic Unity

Document Type : Original Research

Author

A. Jafari Eskandari

Department of Theology, Faculty of Theology, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
A great philosophical system that is organized in a geometric, precise, and logical way, but has been presented in numerous interpretations such as pantheism, God-intoxication, atheism, idealism, empiricism, nominalism, realism, stoicism, etc., is Spinoza's philosophy. In this article, while emphasizing Descartes' influence on Spinoza's philosophy, I intend to prove that Spinoza is, more than anything, in the process of passing from the Platonic and especially Neoplatonic unity to reach life as narrated by Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. In other words, although Spinoza is a Cartesian philosopher, at the heart of his philosophy, which is strongly influenced by Bruno, lies a kind of criticism and rejection of the unity as interpreted by Plato and Neoplatonists, and in the equation of God or nature, in fact, contrary to what Persian-speaking writers emphasize, it emphasizes the nature and meaningfulness of life more than anything.

Keywords

Spinoza
Substance
Mode
Attribute
Soul
God
Nature
Subjects
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Philosophical Thought
Volume 6, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 61-74

  • Receive Date 22 April 2026
  • Publish Date 22 December 2025