Aristotle and Aristoxenus on Effort

The discussions of conatus – force, tendency, effort, and striving in early modern metaphysics have roots Aristotle’s understanding life as an internal experience living force. This paper examines the ways that Spinoza’s is consonant with Aristotle on effort. By tracking effort from his psychology ethics to aesthetics, I show there a at heart activity ψυχή involves intensification power way which anticipates many central insights 20th century European philosophy. first section outlines how developmental conception soul geometrically ordered lays foundation for series powers are analogous shapes mathematics. second links gradual acquisition virtues directed unifying multiplicity. third paradigm self-awareness Aristotelian involves. In final ancient Greek theories music were founded striving. “nature” defined by Aristoxenus, Theophrastus, relation passion intentionality soul. geometrical order, synthesis elements geometry, music, or ethics, generative process past retained reintegrated later stages development. It requires think geometrically, progress knowledge itself integral aspect all Effort lived self-aware cause which, moving step orderly deliberate way, grows advances upon itself. For both Spinoza Aristotle, immanent intelligence accomplishes what purview its understanding. Thus, will, this not something we already possess innately, but emerges gradually aimed improvement.