THE HUMAN DESIRE FOR PLEASURE AS A BASIS FOR THE UNITY OF MANKIND: EMPIRIC RESEARCH VALIDATING SPINOZA’S 350 YEAR-OLD PHILOSOPHY

Authors

  • Avraham Mounitz PhD, Lecturer, Philosophy and Decision Making Department, Zefat Academic College, Israel
  • Alonit Berenson Ph.D, Lecturer, Social Science Department, Zefat Academic College, Israel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v0i0.213

Keywords:

human nature, unity, application, mankind, pleasure

Abstract

The aim of the research is to test Spinoza’s universal law of self-preservation for all mankind. This embodies the different levels of desire to exist, and on higher levels, the desire for knowledge, on the highest levels, the entire scope of practical knowledge according to which human beings function in daily life and how all this is expressed in a unified way. 512 examinees from different ethnic groups, ages and genders at the Zefat Academic College in Israel were tested during course of four academic years, where they learned how to apply theories using actual cases.

Method

Research population included 383 students in Zefat Academic College (183 Jewish, 93 Moslem, 63 Druze and 27 Christian; the rest were “other” or absent). Each student was given a questionnaire with ten questions.

Results showed a strong tendency towards unity among the groups. The unity of human nature stipulated by Spinoza is based on the notion that after removing the environmental influences that shape humans from early childhood, and observing them through the basic existential lens, a higher correlation is achieved because they act according to their nature – the human one. The research results support Spinoza’s claims from 350 years ago.  

 

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Author Biographies

  • Avraham Mounitz, PhD, Lecturer, Philosophy and Decision Making Department, Zefat Academic College, Israel

    Avraham Mounitz, Ph.D. is a Lecturer of Philosophy and Decision Making in Zefat Academic College, Israel. Contact: drmounitz@gmail.com

  • Alonit Berenson, Ph.D, Lecturer, Social Science Department, Zefat Academic College, Israel

    Alonit Berenson, Ph.D. is a Lecturer in the Social Science Department and the Deputy Head of Interdisciplinary Program in Zefat Academic College, Israel. Contact: alonit@bezeqint.net

References

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Published

2016-08-25

Issue

Vol 2, No 3 (2016)

Section

Articles

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