Spinoza (Benedictus de Spinoza)

Benedictus de Spinoza was a 17th-century philosopher who believed that God and nature are two aspects of the same reality—an all-encompassing, single substance. He argued that everything in the universe, including humans, is part of this divine substance, and nothing exists outside of it. Spinoza emphasized rational understanding, suggesting that through reason we can attain knowledge and peace. His ideas challenge traditional views of a personal God, promoting instead a view of the universe as a unified, interconnected whole governed by natural laws. His philosophy encourages seeking understanding of the world's true nature to find freedom and harmony.