A reader writes:
It probably says something about the trivial nature of my mind that I grasp very little of what Spinoza has to tell us about nature and science. However, he can, apparently, tell us quite a bit about Jeeves. From the esteemed philosopher, Sex-in-Spats, and his article “The Man Behind the Stuffed Frog Mask: What Spinoza’s Ethics can tell us about Reginald Jeeves.” Money quote:
Spinoza writes that, through reason, “[the free man] is lead adequately to
conceive himself and all things which can be conceived by his intelligence.” To be a Spinozist is to undergo a rigorous regimen of constant intellectual–and bodily–self-improvement. The more one understands nature, the more one “passes to the highest human perfection, and consequently is affected with the highest joy which is accompanied with the idea of himself and his own virtue . . . the highest possible peace of mind.” Happiness is the recognition of the power of one’s own mind. If there is one thing we know beyond a shadow of a doubt about Jeeves, it is that he is extraordinarily intelligent, well-informed and constantly learning more things. Bertie extols Jeeves’ intelligence continuously throughout the stories, and in every misadventure Jeeves shines through as a paragon of sagacity and cunning.
Or, more succinctly:
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Jeeves,” I said.
“Oh no sir, thank you. I was quite happy with my Spinoza.”
“Eh?”
“The copy of Spinoza’s Ethics which you kindly gave me some time ago.”
“Oh, ah, yes, I remember. Good stuff?”
“Extremely, sir.”
“I suppose it turns out in the end that the Butler did it.
– from Jeeves in the Offing
The Dish 