Natural power as a right and the social contract of rational utility in Baruch Spinoza

Abstract

The idea of knowledge and nature, starting points of Spinoza’s thought, is defined first. The meaning of right, united to the meaning of natural power found in Spinoza’s philosophy, is then explained. The source of social contract is also analysed. This contract is based on the idea of common utility discovered by reason and lived rationally, under the pressure of fear, and against the particular interest of individual passions. Afterwards, the forms of government, their characteristics and advantages are deduced. The ways people live with political power and their human conditions ar revealed. Consequently the power of State and the weakness of individual persons are points of reflection. The conception of education for a better State and a better citizen is also a subject of reflection. Individual and civil rights are then analysed in this context. Finally a critique is made of the Spinozian conception that centers the idea of pact on the idea of utility, and not on justice and on the person who is the seat of rights; without the latter, no society can respect the characteristics of the human being. Utility is acceptable only if it follows from justice: it is unacceptable if it is preferred to justice.