Continuing on the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, ch. 1–11. We go more into natural laws vs. ordinances; does it make sense to say that God makes rules for people? Spinoza claims that laws were given to the ancient Hebrews because they were needed for that society, but what's the nature of this necessity? Also, how does Spinoza deal with alleged miracles given that natural Continue Reading …
Episode 165: Spinoza on Biblical Criticism (Part One)
On Benedict de Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670), ch. 1–11. What's the proper relationship between church and state? That seems like a no-brainer to us now, but that's thanks to a long intellectual tradition that fed directly out of Spinoza, and a Spinoza-like take on, say, Islam is badly needed in many parts of the world today. Spinoza, despite what his Continue Reading …
Ep. 165: Spinoza on Biblical Criticism (Citizen Edition)
On Benedict de Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670), ch. 1–11. What's the proper relationship between church and state? That seems like a no-brainer to us now, but that's thanks to a long intellectual tradition that fed directly out of Spinoza, and a Spinoza-like take on, say, Islam is badly needed in many parts of the world today. Spinoza, despite what his Continue Reading …