Question

1.       Explain and evaluate the paradox of Buridan’s donkey and what Spinoza’s view and use of this paradox.

Answer 1

Spinoza argues that human beings are not free, using the paradox of Buridan’s donkey. The paradox refers to a hypothetical situation wherein a donkey that is equally hungry and thirsty is placed precisely midway between a stack of hay and a pail of water. Because the donkey should seek whatever is closer, it eventually dies of both hunger and thirst since it cannot make any rational decision between the hay and water. To this, Spinoza responded that if human beings were placed in this paradox, they very much capable of eventually dying. In this regard therefore, he was unsure as to how he could distinguish between a donkey and a human being.