DESCARTES AND SPINOZA:

A MODERN THINKER AND A CRITIC OF MODERNITY?

Abstract

Generally speaking, when one seeks to address Cartesian philosophy and the foundations of modernity by limiting the discussion to questions of method, subjectivity, or freedom, Spinoza’s philosophy ends up being described as a complete opposition—almost an anti-Cartesianism. Thus, if we reserve the role of founder of modern thought for Descartes, Spinoza would be left with the role of a philosophy opposed to such modernity, even though he was an heir to and in close dialogue with the French philosopher. To avoid this common sense, we seek to highlight aspects of an investigation of the relationship between Descartes and Spinoza that aims to establish a “new perspective”—even while acknowledging the profound differences regarding method, subjectivity, and freedom. Thus, we will seek to investigate their common ground—a shared conceptual foundation that allows for a fruitful dialogue between them—following a path opened by Merleau-Ponty when he revealed the secret of Seventeenth-Century Rationalism, namely, the concept of positive infinity. And, starting from this investigation into the concept of positive infinity, we will extend our reflection to the contribution of Descartes and Spinoza to the idea of modernity.