Belief as an Essentially Human Attitude

Abstract On a frequent understanding going back to Fichte, the Ethics constitutes a system that cannot possibly be believed by a finite subject. In this chapter, taking a couple of findings regarding Spinoza’s use of the terms ‘opinio’ and ‘iudicium’ as well as an observation regarding his notion of “having ideas” as my point of departure, I shall advocate for the opposite view. For Spinoza, I argue, belief is an essentially human attitude; it is only instantiated when a finite subject voices or endorses a view from his determinate, historically situated perspective. It will turn out that this view is not only in line with philology, but it suggests an understanding of the metaphysical constitution of beliefs that is also fundamental for Spinoza’s views on anthropology and politics.