Reason and Power

Spinoza does not formally define Reason, but in one of its functions, it is the source of Ideas of objective Causal connections.  Such a function is valuable to finite being, for whom experiential connections are immediately random and merely subjectively concatenated, and, hence, are not necessarily effective in promoting strength and neutralizing weakness.  The power of Reason in this capacity seems merely Instrumental, as Hume insists.  However, Reason has another function: introducing objective Causal connectivity into the endeavor to persist in one's being.  In this function, it is the source of not Knowing-That, but of Knowing-How, i. e. Reason is Technical therein.  Furthermore, though such Causal connectivity is objective, it is not independent of the endeavor.  For, in many such cases, the connections are created, not discovered, as much of human society illustrates.  Likewise, the value of such Reason is more than Instrumental, i. e. more than the value of the products of Know-How.  For, in the exercise of Know-How itself, one's power, i. e. over oneself, and over external materials, is increased, and, hence, is of value in itself in the endeavor to persist in one's being.  Thus, Reason is Power not merely qua Instrumental, but, more so, qua Technical.