COLLECTIVE NOBILITY: SPINOZA AND THE POLITICS OF EMOTION

Abstract

The intent of this thesis is to examine Spinoza's philosophy of emotion as it relates to groups of individuals, or collectives. These groups, especially political collectives such as nation-states, are evaluated through Spinozist understandings of virtue, nobility, and blessedness. From this analysis, a novel concept of "collective nobility" is used to create philosophical guidance for the emotional dimensions of politics and state action. Drug policy is used as a case study to understand how emotion influences policymaking and vice versa, both negatively (as in the United States) and positively (as in Portugal). ; 2019-08-01 ; B.A. ; College of Arts and Humanities, Philosophy ; Bachelors ; This record was generated from author submitted information.