A Theologico-Political Treatise

About this film

LibriVox recording of A Theologico-Political Treatise by Benedict de Spinoza. (Translated by R. H. M. Elwes.) Read in English by Chiquito Crasto Written by the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza, the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus or Theologico-Political Treatise was one of the most controversial texts of the early modern period. It was a preemptive defense of Spinoza's later work, Ethics, published posthumously in 1677, for which he anticipated harsh criticism. 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." He reinterpreted the belief that there were such things as prophecy, miracles, or supernatural occurren…

Directors & creators

Benedict de Spinoza

Subjects

librivox; audiobooks;philosophy; classic; ethics; theology; tractatus theologico-politicus; baruch spinoza

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