Published shortly after his death in 1677, "Ethics" is undoubtedly Spinoza's greatest work?a fully cohesive philosophical system that strives to provide a coherent picture of reality and to comprehend the meaning of an ethical life. Following a logical step-by-step format, it defines in turn the nature of God, the mind, human bondage to the emotions, and the power of understanding, moving from a consideration of the eternal to speculate upon humanity's place in the natural order, freedom, and the path to attainable happiness. A powerful work of elegant simplicity, "Ethics" is a brilliantly insightful consideration of the possibility of redemption through intense thought and philosophical reflection.