Skip to main content

Primary sourceBook1644

Principles of Philosophy

René Descartes · 1644

Descartes' 1644 Latin work setting out his physics and metaphysics, the text Spinoza later reworked into geometric form in his only signed book.

Spinoza reworked this Cartesian text in geometric order in his only signed book, revealing his debts to and breaks from Descartes.

Ask Baruch Spinoza about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Title page of a book reading 'Renati Des-Cartes Principia Philosophiae', with a Latin subtitle, an engraving of a winged figure and a robed figure beside a armillary sphere with banner 'Indefessus Agendo', an oval library stamp, and imprint 'Amstelodami, Ex Typographia Blaviana, MDCLXXXV'.
René Descartes, Principia Philosophiae, 1644 (edition shown: Amsterdam, 1685).

About this source

What it is

Principles of Philosophy is a Latin book by René Descartes, published in 1644 and dedicated to Elisabeth of Bohemia, synthesizing his earlier works on method and metaphysics. It lays out his laws of physics and a mechanistic view of nature, intended to replace the Aristotelian teaching used in universities.

Why it matters

Descartes' ideas about motion and his systematic approach to philosophy deeply influenced later thinkers, including Spinoza, who took this very text and recast it in strict geometric order in his only book published under his own name. Comparing the two shows what Spinoza borrowed from Descartes and where he broke away from him.

Look closer

  • Why might Descartes have wanted to replace the university curriculum of his time?
  • What does the dedication to a princess suggest about who Descartes expected to read his work?
  • How might rewriting another philosopher's ideas in a new form, as Spinoza did, change their meaning?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Baruch Spinoza and Rene Descartes on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Baruch Spinoza sources

Meet the AI Baruch Spinoza →
Title page of Spinoza's Ethica in Latin. Large capital letters read ETHICA, followed by 'Ordine Geometrico demonstrata, ET In quinque Partes distincta, in quibus agitur', then a list of five parts numbered I to V with Latin titles.Book

Primary source

Ethics

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1677 (written 1661-1675)

Title page of the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, printed in black letter-style serif type with a handwritten inscription 'Auctore Benedicto de Spinoza' and an ornamental woodcut at the bottom, imprint reading Hamburgi, Apud Henricum Kuhrabt, 1670.Book

Primary source

Tractatus Theologico-Politicus

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1670

Oil painting of a man with long dark curly hair, wearing a dark coat and a large white collar, against a dark brown background. He looks toward the viewer with a calm expression.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of Benedictus de Spinoza

Unknown · c. 1665

Title page of a book. At top: 'B. D. S.' Large capitals below read 'OPERA POSTHUMA,' followed by italic Latin text 'Quorum series post Praefationem exhibetur.' A small woodcut ornament of fruit and ribbons sits in the middle, and at the bottom is the date 'MDCLXXVII' written as 'CIO IC CLXXVII' style Roman numerals.Book

Primary source

Opera Posthuma

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1677

Title page of a 1677 book in Latin. Large capitals read EPISTOLAE, followed by DOCTORUM QUORUNDAM VIRORUM, AD B. D. S. ET AUCTORIS RESPONSIONES, and a line about elucidating other works. Faded text from another page shows through in the background.Letter

Primary source

Epistolae, Correspondence of Benedict de Spinoza

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1661-1676, published 1677

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Baruch Spinoza now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions