A Theologico-Political Treatise
'A Theologico-Political Treatise' Summary
In the treatise, Spinoza put forth his most systematic critique of Judaism, and all organized religion in general. Spinoza argued that theology and philosophy must be kept separate, particularly in the reading of scripture. Whereas the goal of theology is obedience, philosophy aims at understanding rational truth. Scripture does not teach philosophy and thus cannot be made to conform with it, otherwise the meaning of scripture will be distorted. Conversely, if reason is made subservient to scripture, then, Spinoza argues, "the prejudices of a common people of long ago... will gain a hold on his understanding and darken it."
Spinoza argued that purportedly supernatural occurrences, namely prophecy and miracles, have in fact natural explanations. He argued that God acts solely by the laws of his own nature and rejected the view that God acts for a particular purpose or telos. For Spinoza, those who believe that God acts for some end are delusional and projecting their hopes and fears onto the workings of nature.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
PortugesePublished In
Authors
Benedict de Spinoza
Dutch Republic
Baruch (de) Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese Sephardi origin. One of the early thinkers of the Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism, including modern conceptions of the self and th...
Books by Benedict de SpinozaDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
On Christian Doctrine by Saint Augustine of Hippo
De doctrina Christiana, a theological text written by Augustine of Hippo. It consists of four books that describe how to interpret and teach the Scrip...
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
Machiavelli has created a ruthless guide on how to rule the country in his volume "The Prince". The book is dedicated to Lorenzo De Medici, the ruler...
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding is a book by the Scottish empiricist philosopher David Hume, published in English in 1748. It was a revision...
Romance of Modern Exploration by Archibald Williams
This book delves into the world of modern exploration, showcasing the daring individuals who pushed the boundaries of human knowledge and ventured int...
On Generation and Corruption by Aristotle
On Generation and Corruption also known as On Coming to Be and Passing Away is a treatise by Aristotle. Like many of his texts, it is both scientific...
The New Organon by Francis Bacon
The Novum Organum is a philosophical work by Francis Bacon published in 1620. The title translates as "new instrument". This is a reference to Aristot...
Pond And Stream by Arthur Ransome
Immerse yourself in the wonders of aquatic ecosystems, from the delicate dance of water beetles to the mesmerizing patterns of sunlight filtering thro...
Thoughts on South Africa by Olive Schreiner
'Thoughts on South Africa' is a collection of Schreiner's observations of colonial South Africa in the early 19th century, mostly regarding Boer-Engli...
A Problem in Modern Ethics by John Addington Symonds
John Addington Symonds struck many an heroic note in this courageous (albeit anonymously circulated) essay. He is a worthy Virgil guiding the reader t...
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. II by Edward Gibbon
Gibbons relates in detail the political, martial, social, and theological developments that saw the ultimate split of the Roman Empire, the fall of th...
Reviews for A Theologico-Political Treatise
No reviews posted or approved, yet...