Journal Article: Philosophy as medicina mentis? Hume and Spinoza on Emotions and Wisdom

“Philosophy as medicina mentis? Hume and Spinoza on Emotion and Wisdom” is a chapter by Willem Lemmens in the book, The Concept of Love in 17th and 18th Century Philosophy. The chapter compares and contrasts Benedict de Spinoza and David Hume’s beliefs that philosophy is the search for wisdom, how philosophy leads to wisdom, what that wisdom consists of, and philosophy’s place in accordance with emotions. Lemmens begins by outlining Spinoza’s belief that philosophy is a medicina mentis, or a medicine for the mind, and that through the study of philosophy one can break free from the enslavement of their emotions. Lemmens then asserts that Hume, on the other hand, believes that the desire for knowledge can be unhealthy for an individual and that the “doing of philosophy” should lead to the taming of one’s emotions, not breaking from them altogether.

According to Lemmens, Spinoza holds the belief that the highest good man can attain is “the knowledge of the union that the mind has with the whole of nature,” or in other words, that the highest good is attained through a strong overall knowledge of reason and man’s immersion in nature. From this end, Lemmens points out the belief of Spinoza that achieving this “highest good” is synonymous with achieving wisdom. The separation of one from their emotions and the pursuit of philosophical knowledge, being reason, results in the highest good, seems to be the key assertion of Spinoza.

Hume, as explained by Lemmens, would believe that the practice of philosophy leading to salvation and higher good is an absurdity. Hume identifies passions as divergent from thoughts and of being purely bodily influenced, but does not discredit them for what they do to the average man. Hume admits that there is a role of reason in moderating the passions of a man, but doesn’t disrepute the passions as Spinoza does. Hume acknowledges the need for a balanced emotional and intellectual life, citing the reality of everyday life that individuals are apart of.

This article is very beneficial to my research as it outlines some of the main differences between Spinoza and Hume’s philosophical world views, which is followed into their ethical views. I’ve been looking at the emphasis on the importance of emotion in the works of 18th and 19th century British philosophers, and the emphasis on reason in the works of 18th and 19th century European philosophers, so this article does good to outline many of the differences between these two philosophical giants. In the coming weeks I’ll continue to outline the differences I find in the beliefs of these philosophers, and why the geographical location of said philosophers may influence their thought.

• Lemmens, Willem. “Philosophy as Medicina Mentis? Hume and Spinoza on Emotions and Wisdom.” The Concept of Love in 17th and 18th Century Philosophy. Ed. GaÌbor Boros, Herman De Dijn, and M. Moors. Leuven, Belgium: Leuven UP, 2007. 181-204. Print.