MATHEUS ROMERO DE MORAIS

Course
Doctorate Degree
Research title
Desire and servitude in Spinoza
Research abstract

From a wider point of view, this work is a broad and profound study about the concecpt of servitude in Baruch de Spinozas philosophy. Therefore, a central aspect of this research is the investigation of such concept in all its diffent meanings - affective, ethic, politic, juridic, etc. In a more specific point of view, the problem we use as a starting point, and also as a horizon, is that which Deleuze and Guattari have called the fundamental problem of political philosophy: why do men fight for their servitude as if it were their salvation? Is it possible, based solely on Spinozas thought, to attribute any responsability in the process of servitude to those who serve? Is it possible to suggest that one might act towards their own servitude? Is it possible to say that someone whishes to serve? In sum, under what conditions can we associate desire - the essence of men whilst determined to do something that serves to its own conservation - and servitude?

Graduate Advisor
Homero Silveira Santiago
Funding
Fapesp