Abstract
By defining freedom in terms of power, Spinoza understands
individual freedom as irreducibly relational. I propose that Spinoza develops
his theory of power to understand how individual power or freedom is limited
and enhanced by the power of those around one. For Spinoza, the power of an
individual is a function of that individual’s emotions, imaginative conceptions of
itself and the world and its appetites. In this paper (1) I will argue that Spinoza
reformulates a concept of freedom in terms of power. (2) His mature theory of
freedom as power proposes that individual power is determined through social
interaction, and is thus best understood as a relational theory of freedom. (3)
I will show that as a consequence of Spinoza’s theory, individual power and
empowerment relies on those around the individual and, thus, to achieve individual
liberation we must pursue collective empowerment.