The ultimate end of the man who is led by reason, that is, his highest desire, by which he strives to moderate all the others, is that by which he is led to conceive adequately both himself and all things which can fall under his understanding.

The central role of reason in Spinoza's philosophy borders on the mystical. To the extent that we conform to reason, we conform to the true nature of reality. What is good is what is realized upon reason. God is pure reason. The ethical human being in the Spinozist conception consists of an almost monastic dedication to reason, through which joy is realized. Not sure of its veracity, but of all the pseudo-religious philosophies out there, this is the one I would be willing to make the leap of faith on. ( )