Author : Paul Bagley
Publisher : BRILL
ISBN 13 : 9047432754
Total Pages : 268 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (474 download)
Book Synopsis Philosophy, Theology, and Politics by : Paul Bagley
Download or read book Philosophy, Theology, and Politics written by Paul Bagley and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2008-05-31 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The interpretation of Spinoza’s theologico-political teaching remains a matter of controversy. Is Spinoza simply addressing contemporary difficulties in The Netherlands of the late 1660s? Or is he attempting to solve a more basic and enduring human problem? In this book, it is argued that against the background of contemporary concerns, Spinoza treats the more fundamental “natural problem” of reconciling those who live by “the dictates of reason” with those who live by “the urgings of the passions.” Based upon his accounts of theology, human nature, and politics, Spinoza fashions a theocratic or “theologico-political solution” to the “natural problem” by holding that the “universal religion” and the democratic liberalism of the treatise share a common purpose. Thus, Spinoza becomes a “new Moses.”