Espinosa e a formação humana

Abstract

This work aims to provide some elements for the reflection concerning the process of human formation based on Spinoza's philosophy. Spinoza's work can be comprehended as an investigation that seeks to understand what is the human being and what can contribute to render his life more powerful, despite the risks and bitterness that are necessarily experienced throughout his existence. According to Spinoza, finite beings cannot have an absolute power, so their life is experienced as an increase or a decrease of their power of acting. The philosopher articulates this ontological perspective with cognitive, affective and social aspects. The thesis is structured in three chapters. The first deals with the power of the kinds of knowledge to promote a more powerful life, by discussing the contributions and dangers of imagination and the importance of adequate knowledge (reason and intuition). The theme of affectivity is the subject of discussion in the second chapter. After all, the process of human formation cannot be read only as an intellectual transformation, but corresponds – in the best case – to the enjoyment of a happier affective life. That chapter deals with the importance of multiple affection as a means to deal with the risks of fixation in singular imagination. The third chapter discusses the relevance of the sociopolitical dimension for human formation, arguing that the practices of formation that lead to autonomy must be open to the democratic experience, since democracy does not disguise conflict, but admits it as raw material for the negotiation of alliances and resistances that best contribute for the full development of individual and collective power.