Spinoza and Contemporary Panpsychism(s)

Abstract

In this article I elucidate central aspects of Spinoza’s panpsychism in reference to, and by juxtaposition with, two important research programs that are driving panpsychism’s contemporary renaissance – which I dub the explanatory and the informational “routes”. I review those in Section One. In Section Two I show that various aspects of Spinoza’s panpsychism can be seen as supporting further explo- rations along each of these routes, though often on grounds, terms, and conditions that interrogate and problematize them. I conclude that Spinoza’s peculiar panpsy- chism provides important suggestions for further reflection on important features of contemporary panpsychist ferments.