Modes

This chapter argues that commentators have misunderstood Spinoza’s claim that particular things are modes of God by holding that modes are either accidents that inhere in God or objects that do not inhere but are merely caused by God. Instead, it argues that modes in Spinoza must be understood as objects that inhere in God. Modes stand to substance as waves stand to the ocean, fists stand to hands, and wrinkles stand to carpets. It further argues that, in addition to avoiding criticisms to which others are subject, this interpretation allows an attractive account of inherence in terms of constitution. It concludes by considering the question of the reality of the modes: are the modes genuine beings or are they mere illusions?