Ethics is a philosophical treatise written in Latin by Benedict de Spinoza. Spinoza's magnum opus, the Ethics, was published posthumously in the year of his death. The work opposed Descartes' philosophy of mind–body dualism, and earned Spinoza recognition as one of Western philosophy's most important thinkers. According to Spinoza, God is Nature and Nature is God.

In fact, within the German philosophical sphere, Spinoza's influence on German Idealism was remarkable. He was both a challenge and inspiration for the three major figures of this movement: Hegel, Schelling and Fichte. Schopenhauer points to fundamental affinities with Spinoza , but he also criticizes Spinoza.

Baruch Spinoza, born Benedito de Espinosa, was a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese Sephardi origin.