Theological-Political Treatise (Hackett Classics)

Baruch Spinoza is a Dutch philosopher that ultimately sparked the 18th century Enlightenment and paved the way to modern day thought. He is now considered to be one of the greatest rationalist philosophers of all time and has inspired countless free thinkers over the course of history. Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Einstein, David Ben-Gurion, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson are just a few of the more notable individuals who were inspired by his work. Although he was of Sephardic Jewish descent, he grew up in Amsterdam and didn’t identify with any particular religious conventions. Luckily, at this time Amsterdam was relatively forward thinking in terms of religion and societal norms. This allowed Spinoza the opportunities to freely explore the controversial and obviously anti-Judaic ideas he was exploring. Interestingly enough, to this day Jewish culture claims the rights to the ground breaking philosopher that is Spinoza, despite his excommunication, and lack of self-identification as a Jew.In 1670 he anonymously published a book entitled the Theological-Political Treatise. He wrote it Latin instead of Dutch to avoid punishment from the authorities. This text acted as both a critique of organized religion and a radical outlook on the concept of G-d. Controversially, he did this by re-interpreting and criticizing the bible. He shocked society when he said that Moses did not write the first five books of the Torah, and further dissected the inaccuracies to suggest that what people know to be the word of G-d is actually just a series of compiled ancient texts. He went on to suggest that the reason that most of the words in the bible were to be seen as law instead of tale was to maintain a militant political hold on society. From his perspective, Spinoza saw this as an outright contradiction to his (and the true) meaning and concept of G-d. Ultimately, Spinoza’s groundbreaking interpretation of the bible was meant to warn the Protestants currently engaging in war of the dangers of religious dogmatism.Spinoza sees G-d as synonymous with nature. He sees G-d simply as the sum of what exists. G-d is the universe and the universe is G-d. Essentially, G-d has infinite qualities. As humans, we are only able to perceive and understand very few of them, and those which we cannot comprehend exist far beyond the visible world and account for the supernatural, coincidental, and miraculous. This means that everything man sees as divine acts of G-d are actually just the parts of nature and the universe and exceed our limit of understanding. Therefor, science is the genuine discerning of G-d laws and everything mankind believes to be G-d laws are actually just universally applicable human ordinances misinterpreted or altered throughout the bible to maintain order. The best proof that Spinoza has offered for this concept is in Exodus 3:14 “14 God said to Moshe, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh/ I Am what I Am,” and added, “Here is what to say to the people of Israel: ‘Ehyeh /I Am has sent me to you.’”When Albert Einstein was asked if he believed in G-d his response was "I believe in Spinoza's G-d."

This is a wonderful translation of one of Benedict De Spinoza's most important works. Here Spinoza explains in detail not only the Biblical exegesis for which he was excommunicated, but expounds at length on political systems. A seminal work in the history of thought, providing an intimate encounter with one of the great minds of human history. A very good introduction goes thoroughly into the discrepancies between what he published and what he might truly have thought.

Spinoza is amazingly adept in sacred scripture and takes everything for what it is. Time to clear up discussion over prophecy and authority.

Bought as a gift and recipient enjoys it.

Spinoza's monumental treatise on God, the Bible and the Society is one of the founderstones of modern thought, and does not need any new reviews. Many ideas expressed in the book can serve as models for standpoints also today in the intellectual debate about matters of religious freedom, critical analysis of texts and ideas, and political theory. The English translation in the Gebhardt Edition is clear and easily understood, and the book can be read without feeling the three centuries that have passed since the original was published in Latin. In the context of a new emerging wave of religious fundamentalism on one hand, and post-modernist denials of the importance of Reason on the other, the book is as important as ever to the intellectual heritage of modern Society.

Easier to understand Spinoza's ideas than I ever expected. Fascinating reading...I'm marking up the pages, planning to re-read parts....

Old and yellowed with some markings. Poor quality.

i bought this book for my philosophy class and passed. book was in great conditions and very enjoyable to read. get it!