Skip to content

Understand Spinoza's Ethics,
visually.

An interactive concept map with guided paths through Spinoza's Ethics. No more getting lost in dense text.

Start with substanceExplore the concept map

One connection from the map

Map of concepts in Spinoza's EthicsGod / Nature — is identical to → Substance. Substance — expressed through → Attribute. Substance — modified as → Mode. Attribute — includes → Thought. Attribute — includes → Extension. Thought — expressed as → Mind. Extension — expressed as → Body. Mind — is the idea of → Body. Mind — can form → Adequate Idea. Mind — often has → Inadequate Idea. Adequate Idea — contrasts → Inadequate Idea. Conatus — becomes conscious as → Desire. Conatus — when aided produces → Joy. Conatus — when hindered produces → Sadness. Body — striving of → Conatus. Inadequate Idea — generates → Passive Affect. Adequate Idea — generates → Active Affect. Passive Affect — contrasts → Active Affect. Joy — grounds → Active Affect. Sadness — accompanies → Passive Affect. God / Nature — entails → Necessity. Necessity — redefines → Freedom. Reason — enables → Freedom. Reason — produces → Adequate Idea. Freedom — culminates in → Blessedness. Active Affect — constitutes → Freedom.God / Nature — is identical to → SubstanceSubstance — expressed through → AttributeSubstance — modified as → ModeAttribute — includes → ThoughtAttribute — includes → ExtensionThought — expressed as → MindExtension — expressed as → BodyMind — is the idea of → BodyMind — can form → Adequate IdeaMind — often has → Inadequate IdeaAdequate Idea — contrasts → Inadequate IdeaConatus — becomes conscious as → DesireConatus — when aided produces → JoyConatus — when hindered produces → SadnessBody — striving of → ConatusInadequate Idea — generates → Passive AffectAdequate Idea — generates → Active AffectPassive Affect — contrasts → Active AffectJoy — grounds → Active AffectSadness — accompanies → Passive AffectGod / Nature — entails → NecessityNecessity — redefines → FreedomReason — enables → FreedomReason — produces → Adequate IdeaFreedom — culminates in → BlessednessActive Affect — constitutes → FreedomGod / NatureSubstanceSubstanceAttributeAttributeModeModeThoughtExtensionMindBodyAdequate IdeaInadequate IdeaConatusDesireJoySadnessPassive AffectActive AffectNecessityReasonFreedomBlessednessmodified as

Metaphysics

Substance

Substance is what exists in itself and is conceived through itself. For Spinoza, there can be only one substance — God/Nature.

I.Def.3, I.P14

modified as Mode

A mode is a particular modification of substance — every individual thing, idea, or event is a mode.

I.Def.5

Open map

How it works

1

Explore the map

See how Spinoza's concepts connect in an interactive visual graph. Click any node to read a plain-language explanation.

2

Follow guided paths

Three free guided paths walk you through the key arguments, step by step, in the order that makes them click.

3

Build understanding

Each concept links to source references and related ideas. Navigate Spinoza the way his system actually works — through connections.

3 free guided paths

Each path walks you through a core thread of Spinoza's argument, from premise to conclusion.

What if God and Nature are the same thing?

God/Nature → Substance

Start with Spinoza's most radical claim: God and Nature are the same thing. Walk through the foundations of his metaphysics — substance, attributes, and modes — and see how everything follows from one infinite reality.

17 steps · 6 concepts →

Where do our emotions come from?

Conatus → Emotions

Discover how Spinoza derives all human emotions from one basic drive: the striving to persist in being. See how joy, sadness, and desire are not random feelings but expressions of your fundamental nature.

16 steps · 6 concepts →

Can we be free if everything is determined?

Determinism → Freedom

Follow Spinoza's most surprising argument: that strict determinism does not eliminate freedom but redefines it. See how understanding necessity — not fighting it — is the path to genuine liberation.

18 steps · 6 concepts →