Spinoza's Critique of Descartes' Dualism and The Relevance of Both In The Digital Age
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/communica.v3i1.629Keywords:
Descartes, Dualism, Digital Age, Ethics, SpinozaAbstract
The digital era presents complex philosophical and ethical challenges, prompting an evaluation of traditional frameworks like mind-body dualism for new ethical foundations. This paper critically examines Baruch Spinoza's critique of René Descartes' dualism and their contemporary relevance in addressing the ethical and existential challenges of the digital age. Employing library research and a critical-philosophical approach, this study analyzes primary and secondary texts. This research finds that while Descartes' rationalism laid the groundwork for modern scientific epistemology, its inherent dualism contributes to digital ethical and existential crises. Conversely, Spinoza's monistic ethics of unity and natural order offer an alternative framework for navigating the moral dilemmas of a digital society. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of synthesizing individual and relational rationality as a strong ethical foundation for human progress amidst rapid technological advancement.
References
Abd Rahman Badawi. (1984). The Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Jilid 1). The Arab Estbalishment for Studies on Publication.
Abdul Kadir Riyadi. (2017). Antrophology of Sufism. LP3ES, 107.
Agustinus Agrolis Longko Nadu. (2024). The Concept of Self Exsistence Eccording to Soren Kierkegard and Its Relevance for Humans in the Presence of Smart Phones. Multidisiplin Inovatif, 8 No. 12, 1.
Anita Rosana & Irfan Fauzi. (2024). The Role of Digital Identity in the Age of Social Media: Literature Analysis on Selfdentity Construction on Online Social Interaction. Social of Science, 1(4), 477–489. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59613/a8yyff42
Aulia et al. (2024). IJM: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Analysis of the Buzzer Phenomenon on TikTok Social Media Content Ahead of the 2024 Election. IJM: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary, 2. https://journal.csspublishing/index.php/ijm
Badri Dinggit, P. J. (2025). Harmony of Man and Nature According to Spinoza: Philosophical Implications for Environmental Ethics. Divinitas Jurnal Filsafat Dan Teologi Kontekstual, 3(1), 135–155. https://doi.org/10.24071/div.v3i1.10667 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24071/div.v3i1.10667
Dr. Elena Violaris. (2025). One More Spiral in the Simulacrum: Jean Baudrilla’s Games with Reality. https://baudrillard-scijournal.com
F. Budi Hardiman. (2007). Modern Philosophy. PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Fauzan Anwar Sandiah. (2025). Rationalism and Contemporary Relevance.
FX. Lilik Dwi Marjianto et al. (2022). Digital Literacy Module.
Harry Saptarianto. (2024). Facing the Challenges of the Digital Era, Strategies for Integrating Social Media, Digital Literacy, and Business Innovation 2, 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61132/manuhara.v2i3.955
Howard Robinson. (2020). Dualism. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dualism
Jujun S. Suriasumantri. (2003). Science in Perspective (XVI). Yayasan Obor Indonesia.
Justin Skirry. (2024). Rene Descartes: The Mind Body Distingction. https://iep.utm.edu
Justin Steinberg. (2024). Spinoza’s Political Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/spinoza-political DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108992459.113
Lalu Abdurrahman Wahid et al. (2022). The Exsistensialist Philosophy of Martin Heidegger and Education from Exsistensialist Perspective. Pendidikan Dan Dakwah, 4, 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51806/an-nahdlah.v1i3.25
Michael Graziano. (2025). Humans Aren’t Mentally Ready for an AI-Saturated ’Post Trust World. https://www. wired.com
Michael LeBuffe. (2025). Spinoza’s Psycological Theory. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/spinoza-psycological
Moa De Lucia Dahlbeck. (2021). AI and Spinoza: A Review of Laws Conceptual Treatment of Lethal Autonomous. AI and Society, 36, 797–805. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-020-01014-x
Mursyid Fikri. (2018). Descartes’ Rationalism and Its Implications for Muhammad Abduh’s Islamic Reform Thought. Tarbawi Journal, 3 No 2(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.26618/jtw.v3i02.1598
Nguyen, C. T. (2022). Echo Chumbers and Epistemic Bubbles. Episteme, 17(2), 141–161. https://doi.org/10.1017.epi/2018.32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/epi.2018.32
Patrisius Juwantri Badri Dinggit. (2025). The Harmony of Mand and Nature: The Implications of Spinoza’s Philosophy on Environmental Ethics. Contextual Philosophy and Theology, 3(1), 142.
Rahmadina et al. (2023). The Influence of Rene Descartes’ Theory on the Shift on Logical Thought from Theocentrism to Anthropocentrism. Gunung Djati Conference Series, 19.
Reza A A Wattimena. (2023). Thought Analysis. https://rumahfilsafat
Rika. (2019). The Substance of Baruch de Spinoza Perspective. In Fakultas Ushuluddin (Vol. 1, Issue 1). http://journal.uinjkt.ac.id/index.php/paradigma
Sholihat et al. (2020). Certesian Modernisme and Spinozan Secularism (Issue 1). PTIQ Perss.
Simon Petrus L Tjahyadi. (2004). Intelectual Edventure. 212.
Simon Petrus L. Tjahyadi. (2007). God of the Philosophers and Scienties.
Sunaryo et al. (2016). Digital Democracy of the 2017 Simultaneous Regional Elections. Public Policy Dialogue, 1, V–IV.
Surmelioglu, Y., & Seferoglu, S. S. (2019). An examination of digital footprint awareness and digital experiences of higher education students. World Journal on Educational Technology: 11(1), 48–64. https://doi.org/10.18844/wjet.v11i1.4009Current Issues, DOI: https://doi.org/10.18844/wjet.v11i1.4009
Sylvia, J. J. (2024). From Microfascism to Joyful Affects: A Posthuman Approach to Social Media Redesign. Journal of Posthumanism, 4(3), 217–228. https://doi.org/10.33182/joph.v4i3.3291 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33182/joph.v4i3.3291
Togdogan. (2018). THE BRONFENBRENNER PRIMER.
Tripati RL. (2024). Fragmented Serves: Identity Conscoiusness and Reality in the Digital Age. OAJDA, 2 (1), 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23880/oajda-16000148
Usis Fadhlullah et al. (2023). An Analysis of Rene Descartes’ Thought on Rationalism and Its Synergy to Islamic Education. In Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Mutaʹallimin (Vol. 1, Issue 1). https://journal.uir.ac.id/index.php/JPIMHalaman:43-52.
Wattimena, R. A. A. (2025). “Thought Analysis.” In in https://rumahfilsafat.com/2023/04/28/buku-terbaru-memaknai-digitalitas-sebuah-filsafat-dunia-digitalTerima.
Wulandari et al. (2021). The Influence of Filter Bubble and Echo Chamber Algorithms on Internet User Behavior. Berkala Ilmu Perpustakaan Dan Informasi, 17(1), 98–111. https://doi.org/10.22146/bip.v17i1.423 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/bip.v17i1.423
